18 Ways to Make Someone Feel Better Over Text

Sending a text requires little effort but can make a big impact. We'll show you how you can make someone feel better over text so you can brighten their day.

Sometimes meeting in person is necessary to convey a message, however, there are actually a wide variety of situations in which you can make someone feel better over text. There are a couple of things you should keep in mind depending on the situation, to prevent any misunderstanding or false assumptions.

Follow this list of eighteen ideas on how to easily brighten someone’s day and make them feel better by simply sending a text message! 

1. Compliment Someone Over Text

Ever thought about complimenting your colleague, fellow student, neighbor, or old friend on something but weren’t quite sure how to go about it? While you could obviously go up to them in person, this may be scary and unknown to you.

But there’s nothing stopping you from making someone feel better over text. A study by Sacred Heart University showed that compliments, for both the giver and the receiver, have the power to make them feel better.

While the delivery of your compliment is not as important as the compliment. Compliments with the most impact are those on character or personality, rather than those on outer appearance. If you have a loved one whose love language is words of affirmation, a small compliment can light up someone’s day in an instant. Here’s a start of how you could formulate your text:

• “I recently noticed your great charisma and wanted to let you know.”
• “I admire you for your confidence!”
• “I really love your sense of humor.”
• “You are such a pure soul. I really appreciate you.”

Did you know that words of affirmation also work on yourself? Check out our guide to positive affirmations for self-love to learn how.

2. Encourage Friends, Family, or Colleagues Over Text

Whether you are talking to a friend who is struggling with a situation, chatting with your family, or communicating with your colleagues, encouraging them over text can be an easy way of making them feel better. Depending on the situation, you can make use of the following statements:

• “You got this.”
• “I believe in you.”
• “You’re on a great path.”
• “You still have time.”
• “Be gentle with yourself.”
• “I am here to listen to you.”
• “Give me a call if you need to.”
• “You did great on this.”

Words of encouragement can serve as effective communication in the workplace, can help you maintain long-distance friendships, or support you in validating someone’s feelings.

A lot of people mix up encouragement with unwanted advice — try not to tell the other person what they should or shouldn’t do, but instead just provide them with comforting words and show them that you are there for them.

3. Make Plans Over Text

Do you tend to forget about plans you made in person or are inclined to say yes to any invitation without having checked your calendar before? Managing a busy social life can be exhausting and cause your social battery to run out — for both introverts and extroverts. Your phone can actually be a great assistant to you.

While you may not have the time to make a call to arrange plans, a text could be a simpler way. While texting inevitably comes with the danger of getting ghosted, it also has its benefits. A text leaves the receiver with enough time to think about your message and reply whenever they feel like it.

It is also a quick and efficient way of making plans and helps you to keep track of your appointments and hangouts. Lastly, it’s the easiest way of scheduling a date with someone you don’t know very well yet. 

Text messages to make plans could look something like this:

• “Wanted to check whether you had any time to grab coffee next week. Would love to hang out!”
• “I know you’re busy right now, but would love to see you! Let me know when would be a good time.”
• “I’d love to schedule team lunch this week. Are you in?”

You also might be wondering: Can an Introvert Become an Extrovert? We explain the options you have.

4. Apologize Over Text

Arguments happen in many areas of life. May that be in the workplace, at university, or within your social circle. What often starts with a small misunderstanding turns into a bigger discussion or fight, especially when a proper apology is missing. But there’s a solution to that.

Once you do learn how to apologize the right way, arguments and misunderstandings become less of a problem. Of course, if you are sorting out a bigger issue, you should refrain from sending a text and sort things out in person.

But if you are just trying to clear up a small misunderstanding, a message can actually be a perfect way of making someone feel better over text, giving them time and space to respond. It doesn’t have to be complicated, a simple message is a great start. For example:

• “I acknowledge that my behavior was not okay. Please let me apologize for it.”
• “I am sorry for making you feel this way earlier. I can see how my behavior was hurtful to you.”

5. Take Care of Long-Distance Friendships Through Text

Texting is a popular and well-known form of communication for friendships and other relationships. Especially long-distance friendships or relationships require a lot of time and effort. And it’s understandable that you don’t have the time to call or visit each other on a regular basis.

Sending a text message to check up on the other person or telling them about your day is an easy way of including them in your life and making them feel better, even when you are physically apart from each other. Simply hearing from a friend or loved one located miles away is enough to brighten their day. Here are some ideas for how to go about it:

• “Just came home from work. It was a long day, but actually quite eventful. I finally got to present my idea for the new project! How was your day? Thinking of you!”
• “How was your day? Had to think of you earlier because someone played your favorite song.”

6. Say Your Condolences

If someone you know recently lost a special person, it may be difficult for you to see them grieve. One affectionate way of expressing your empathy is by sending your condolences. At the end of the day, this doesn’t have to be a long postcard or complicated letter.

You can assume that they are getting a lot of messages regardless, so a simple but caring text is often enough. Here are some templates for sentences you could use to make someone feel better over text: 

• “I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I’ll keep you in my prayers.”
• “X was a loving and caring person, they will be missed dearly.”
• “It’s hard finding the right words to say, but please know I’m sending my love your way.”
• “Please know that I am always here for you if you need someone to talk to.”
• “My heart goes out to you and your family.”
• “I was deeply saddened to hear of X’s passing. They were a wonderful person, and I am so glad I was able to spend time with them.”

Recommended: How to Comfort Someone in Need

7. Share an Uplifting Quote

Texts can quickly escalate into discussions sometimes, but they can also become the foundation for the exchange of valuable or meaningful content. Especially within friend groups! It was never easier to share something you are passionate about with your friends and family within seconds.

Whether that is an inspirational life quote, or a quote by your favorite artist, singer, or author — an uplifting phrase is a fun incentive to spark a conversation with any person and will make them feel better over text. No need to memorize anything, simply browse through the internet, copy and paste your favorite quote and make sure to give credit to whoever came up with it.

8. Share Your Favorite Music

Likewise to sending an inspirational quote via text, music is a great way of keeping in touch with someone. Maybe you have a friend who is as passionate about music as you are. Or perhaps you both enjoy the same genre?

How about sharing your favorite song, recommending a playlist, or asking for music recommendations via text with them? Research shows that people use music as a means to define and express their identity, so this is a great way of getting to know someone and making them feel better over text. Sending upbeat and joyful music can go a long way toward improving a bad mood. Start your text like this:

• “Hey! I heard this amazing song earlier and need to share it with you. Let me know what you think.”
• “I think you could really like this playlist.”
• “There’s this new feature of making a collaborative playlist with someone, want to join me?”

9. Ask Them About Their Day

What is nicer than receiving a text message from someone checking up on you and making sure that you are doing alright? It doesn’t take much time or effort, but can actually mean a lot! 

Sending a quick text like this shows the other person that you thought of them and care about their time. Especially if you have a very different everyday life compared to this person, it might be fun to debrief the day and have a small catch-up. A simple “How was your day?” can do wonders sometimes. Likewise, you could ask one of the following questions:

• “What was your favorite part of today?”
• “What made you smile today?”
• “What are you proud of today?”

10. Light Up Someone's Day By Making a Joke

The texts that spark a smile in people and have them look down at their smartphones with a grin on their faces are often the ones that are unexpected and maybe even out of context. Whether you want to impress your crush, prank your parents or simply get someone’s attention, making a joke via text may be your option.

They’re also a great ice-breaker to start a conversation or simply put a smile on someone’s face. It will surprise them and catch them off-guard, but if it’s a good one, they will surely appreciate it.

11. Share a Meme or Funny Video

A lot of text messages are being exchanged on social media platforms, such as Instagram or Snapchat. While these platforms may not be the place for serious discussions or making plans, they offer their benefits by having tons of funny and entertaining content available for sharing. 

Sharing a meme or silly video with the other person can loosen up the conversation and make the two of you bond over relatable content and perhaps insiders. If you are scrolling through your feed anyway, this will not even cost you any time and yet it is an efficient way of making someone feel good over text. It could look something like this:

• “Remember the situation at school last week? This is so us!”
• “Haha, that is so you.”
• “This video is comedy gold.”
• “Please watch this and thank me later.”

12. Send a Text to a Group Chat

While texts are a great way to communicate between two people, they can also be a means to communicate to and with a larger audience. May this be your high school friend group, who you’ve been meaning to catch up with, or your work colleagues with whom you want to navigate things better. 

Making a group chat with everyone involved can simplify this process! Rather than sending complicated invites via letter, you can simply share your matter with the group chat and make the members feel better over text by showing them that you thought of them.

Group chats also allow people to be kept in the loop without the pressure of responding to every message. Make sure to welcome everyone after adding them, so they know what it’s about. This could be something along those lines:

• “Hey all! I added you to this group chat to plan XY’s birthday gift. Let me know your ideas.”
• “Hey friends. I miss you all and thought I’d open up this group chat, so we can plan a reunion?”
• “Hi. I am planning our annual Christmas party. Ideas are welcome in this group chat.”

13. Share a Recipe

You’re a food lover that indulges in trying out new recipes and has a new favorite dish every week? Then share it with those around you! Especially those of your friends who are into cooking as well would probably really appreciate this exchange. 

The great thing about sending text messages is that you can directly attach links, documents, or images: The perfect foundation for sending someone a recipe. Having it available on their phone as a message makes them more likely to actually try it out and come back to it later. Here are a few recipes to try, review, and hopefully recommend:

• Quick & Cheap Veggie Fried Rice
• 5-Ingredient Limoncello Spritz
• Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

14. Promote a Good Cause

Want to spread the word on conscious consumerism, share your knowledge on volunteering opportunities, or combat climate change? Sending a text to your friends, acquaintances or co-workers might be worth a shot.

Social media is actually quite useful for reaching many people at the same time and persuading them with a certain message. Sending a text on such a platform is an easy way of showcasing that you care about a certain topic or cause and a good opportunity for others to join in on that. Make sure to address what your text is about at the beginning, so you don’t lose people at the start. Use these examples for inspiration:

• “Interested in beating the fast fashion industry? I am looking for people to join my upcycling workshop.”
• “Want to know more about volunteering in your neighborhood? Let me introduce some options.”
• “You’re a feminist looking for like-minded people? You’ve come to the right spot.”

15. Offer to Talk on the Phone

A phone call requires relatively quiet surroundings. Plus, if you are trying to catch up with people on the phone and plan on having a long phone call, it might be better to send a text ahead of time to check with that person and agree on a time that suits both of you best. Another benefit of texting in advance is that calling without a heads-up may overwhelm some people, especially those struggling with social anxiety.

Thus, sending a text is a better option and can help reduce anxiety. Make sure not to pressure the other person and formulate your texts considerately:

• “Hey! I wanted to check up on you. Do you feel like having a phone call anytime soon? If yes, please let me know what suits you best.”
• “Would you be up for a call sometime soon?”

16. Tell Someone They Matter to You

How many times do you tell your partner, best friend, mother, father, neighbor, teacher, or anyone else in your life that you appreciate them? Similarly to giving out compliments, telling someone how much you appreciate or love them can seem like a big step! But let’s be honest: Writing a text is way less scary than communicating this in person.

And it is still a better option than not telling them. A sweet and kind text can make someone feel better with little effort required. Tell them, why you are grateful for them or simply point out what you appreciate about them. Struggling to formulate it? We got you:

• “Thank you for always being there for me.”
• “I am really grateful for our friendship.”
• “I appreciate your help with X. It means a lot.”

17. Make Someone Feel Better by Sending a “Get Well” Message

Imagine you’re laying sick in bed at home, maybe feeling isolated from the rest of the world. You’d surely appreciate someone reaching out to you and checking up on you, perhaps even texting for a little while to have you entertained. Those who believe in karma would say: What goes around comes back around, so why not start this habit yourself first?

If you hear of a classmate, co-worker, or anyone else being sick, shoot a message wishing them to get well. It’s again, a small gesture with little effort, but can have a beautiful impact. Try something like this:

• “Feel better soon!”
• “Take extra good care of yourself.”
• “I am praying for an easy recovery.”
• “Hope you’ll be feeling healthy again soon.”

18. Give Feedback to Someone Over Text

Giving feedback to someone in person, especially if that person has trouble dealing with criticism may seem like a challenge. In some moments it may be inevitable, but in other situations sending a text is a good alternative that will make them feel better.

The benefit of giving feedback via text is that the other person has your critique points right in front of them, but also has some time to process. In the best case, you keep the text concise, constructive, relevant, and empathetic. Lastly, make sure you clearly indicate what further action you require from this person. An example text for a work situation could be phrased like this.

• “Hey. Thanks for your work! I really enjoyed reading your ideas on the new project. However, the action plan is still not concrete enough. Will you please add a budget and add deadlines to the objectives? Appreciate it!”

Read more:

• Are You a People Pleaser? The Psychology Behind it
• How to Set an Intention (With 3 Examples)
• How to Politely Say No: 8 Situations Explained

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