If the situation that someone is facing leaves you feeling unsure of what to say, please keep reading. In the rest of this article, we’ve got lots of suggestions for how to approach adding your own personal message to an encouragement card. We’ve split these ideas by situation or need, and included useful tips and examples throughout. We hope they will help you to deliver a little love, light and encouragement when they’re needed most.

Daunting exam, important presentation, upcoming treatment…sometimes your recipient might just need a little infusion of enthusiasm and cheer.

Examples

• “You’ve got this.”
• “Good luck today! I know you’ll do brilliantly.”
• “Sending all the good vibes your way.”
• “I know this won’t be easy, but I also know that if anyone can get through it, you can.”
• “Remember, you’re amazing!”
• “Keep on keeping on!”
• “Thinking of you today—and hoping you believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.”

PRO TIP: Think about what your recipient needs to hear, do they believe in luck or is it a little bit more self-belief that’s needed?

Maybe the card itself has already said everything you really want to say. Or you don’t want to waffle on and end up writing the wrong thing. Either way, it’s totally fine to just remind your recipient that they’re in your thoughts and you’re there if they need you.

Examples

• “You’re never far from my thoughts.”
• “Know how often I think of you? Always.”
• “You’re on my mind and in my heart.”
• “Keeping you close in my thoughts.”
• “Sending you good thoughts and hoping you have a better day today.”
• “Looking forward to catching up with you soon.”
• “Just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
• “Just a little reminder that I’m only a text or phone call away.”
• “Hoping you don’t feel alone as you go through all this. Thinking of you and with you all the way.”

PRO TIP: Short thinking-of-you style messages are also a great way to follow-up an initial encouragement card.

Suffering from an injury, undergoing surgery, or battling an illness, of any kind, is difficult and recovery can be slow, painful, and frustrating. Your recipient could be feeling like life is moving on without them. They might need a little reminder that they’ve not been forgotten…and that it’s okay to let other things go and focus on getting themselves better.

Examples

• “Be good to yourself. And let others be good to you, too.”
• “Relax, take things easy and don’t worry about anything but you.
• “Hoping you’ll be back to feeling your best again very soon”
• “You are amazing, the way you’re dealing with all this is absolutely inspiring.”
• “The most important thing right now is to focus on getting better… everything else can wait.”
• “Sending healing vibes, happy thoughts and heartfelt get well wishes your way.”
• “You’re doing exactly what you should be doing. Keep at it!”
• “You are being so patient and so strong. Hang in there - things will get better soon.”
• “I know your body has definitely felt better, but how’s the rest of you doing? I’m right here if you need to talk, vent, rant, whatever.”

PRO TIP: If someone is feeling disheartened during a long recovery it can be helpful to remind them of how far they’ve already come and the progress they’ve made.

Because mental health challenges aren’t always visible to the outside observer, encouragement in these situations might simply mean affirming that those struggles are real, that you care and that the recipient doesn’t have to feel alone in facing them.

Examples

• “It’s okay not to be okay.”
• “I’m here if you need someone to listen.”
• “No wise words or advice here. Just me, thinking of you and hoping for you. Wishing you better days ahead.”
• “I don’t know what depression feels like, and I really wish that you didn’t have to know, either.”
• “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I don’t know what to say, except that I care about you, and I’m here for you, always.”
• “On our happiest days and in our saddest moments our friends are with us. And I’m here for you, always, because you’re my friend, and I love you, no matter what.”
• “If you ever need to talk, or cry, or whatever, I’m here.”
• “I really wish I knew what would actually be helpful right now, but I figured a cute card couldn’t hurt? Thinking of you.”
• “Just wanted to say we miss you. And we’re looking forward to a time when you’re feeling much better.”

PRO TIP: A note or card is a simple, caring way to provide encouragement when your recipient can’t cope with visitors. So, if in doubt, grab a pen and reach out. Don’t let worries about saying the wrong thing silence you.

Leaving Uni, finding a job, changing jobs, ending relationships, retraining, starting out on your own… all these things are a big deal and require bravery, determination and self-belief, so a little bit of extra encouragement will be most welcome!  

Examples

• “Hearts take time to heal. Be kind to yourself.”
• “Sometimes it takes a tough ending to make a bright new beginning. Wishing you all the strength you need right now.”
• “I know this wasn’t an easy decision to make. But you’ve got to do what’s right for you.”
• “You are brave. You are smart. You are strong… You have totally got this.”
• “Thinking of you—and trusting that the future will be bright.”
• “Whatever path you choose, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll succeed.”
• “Hang in there. The right position is out there waiting for you.”
• “With your brains and talent, everything is possible.”
• “Thank you, Next!”
• “There’s going to be no stopping you now!”

PRO TIP: Optimism is important in encouraging someone who is taking a big step. Acknowledge the challenges but focus your message on your hope for their future.

Just because someone’s challenges are serious doesn’t mean your words have to be. Sometimes sharing a laugh or smile can be the very best encouragement.

Examples

• “Just wanted to send you a smile today.”
• “I’m here. And I have wine.”
• “Just sending a little sunshine and fun to brighten your day.”
• “You and bacon are in my thoughts a lot these days. Well, it’s not ALL about you, you know.”
• “You can get through this. Take it from me. I’m very wise and stuff.”
• “You know what they say… When life gives you lemons, I’ll bring the tequila!”
• “This, too, shall pass. And hopefully not like a kidney stone.”
• “I believe in you! And unicorns. But mostly you!”

PRO TIP: Do you know your recipient well enough to be fairly sure of what they will find cute or funny? If in doubt, then stick to more serious and heartfelt messages.

When children face challenges or setbacks, they need lots of love and encouragement from the adults in their lives to help them through.

Examples

• “I know school is tough right now, but I’m proud of the way you’re handling it. Keep it up!”
• “Ok, so you lost the game, but you never gave up. That makes you a winner in my book.”
• “I’m sorry those kids were mean to you but you’re kind, smart, funny, and wonderful—and your real friends see all that, and love you for it, too.”
• Keep calm and study hard… you can totally do this!
• “Dad and I believe in you! (Fido hasn’t said, but we’re pretty sure he does too.)”
• “Just a little reminder that we love you and we’re proud of you no matter what.”
• “You’re a good kid and a good person, believe in yourself - we believe in you!

You can see our full range of encouragement cards here