Who knew something so small could be so inspiring? A mysterious yet contagious case of kindness can be found around many of the school’s women’s restrooms. It started with one person, and the simple act leads to an encouraging chain reaction.

Positive notes in the form of inspiring statements written on index cards, can be found in the female bathrooms on the first, third and fourth floors. These small, random quotes decorate the entire room. The messages were started by one intrigued student who found the yellow cards with a quote hanging in every bathroom entrance meaningful.

This student, who requested anonymity, said the idea was sparked when she was looking for a way to help others. “I was just not feeling great [and] because I’m one of those people who feels better when I can make other people feel better. It was one of those weird feelings where I didn’t know exactly what was wrong with me so I was like let me do something that benefits everybody.”

A similar situation happened last year when students used window paint to create a happy environment by painting thoughtful messages on the mirrors. The painting was ended by the administration as the paint was hard to take off the mirrors.

Now with approval from the janitorial staff, the artist has begun to share these brief but inspiring affirmations. Written on note cards, and placed on the wall with tape, they can be easily removed without leaving a mark.

“I like to draw and make cool stuff and I have 10,000 index cards at home. [I asked myself] ‘What am I going to do with them?’ I don’t use flashcards. So, every Monday I would write them. I’d prefer to go [to the bathroom] in the middle of classes. I would ask, ‘Can I go use the bathroom?’ Then I would run down all the flights of stairs really quick and post three or four [positive notes] in each bathroom, ” the student said.

For a majority of students, the bathroom is used for more than just using the restroom. Students use it as a sanctuary on bad days, where they met up with a friend who will comfort them. For many students, they prefer to walk into space where they feel welcomed.

Although it may take away from class time, this movement has created an awareness of others in the school community.

“I feel like it should be a thing people [participate in]. It’ll be kind of weird to just grab note cards from the bathroom but if people do something when they are bored they can impact others,” the student said.

For many, these notes create courage, hope, and happiness. Although one student may just be wasting time in the bathroom to design an index card another student will find meaning in the simple message. Students are unknowingly making others day better one note at a time.

Teens often deal with drama and other problems while going through adolescence and high school. These notes make students aware that others stand with them. Through these “positive notes,” all different types of female students help each other out and relate with one another. “They can just stick positive notes in the bathroom because you never know who needs it,” the student says.