Someone you care about isn’t feeling their best, and you want them to know you’re thinking of them. Giving gifts and cards to someone to encourage them to feel better soon is a great way to show how much you care. Unfortunately, it can be a little difficult to figure out exactly what you should say on these occasions.
If you’ve recently purchased your get well soon gift, and now you’re in the process of writing out the card, but you have no inspiration, don’t panic. Here are some quick tips to help you figure out what the best message might be.
Consider the Person
First things first, think about the person and the thing they’re currently going through. Is this the kind of person who’s suffered a recent injury for something he’s going to laugh about later? A friend who’s constantly getting into accidents who broke his wrist might appreciate a card that makes fun of his clumsy nature in a light-hearted way.
On the other hand, your grandmother struggling with a broken arm after she’s been struggling with her balance probably won’t appreciate the same kind of humour. Take both the personality of the person, and the context of their situation into account, and ask yourself what’s most likely to make them smile?
Focus on Sentiment
Whether you’re writing a jokey card or something more sincere, the over-arching theme of a get well soon card should be how much you care. Make sure that the card is appropriate for the situation, and let the person know that you’re thinking about them, and you’re sorry to hear that they’re not feeling well. It’s fine to make a few jabs if that’s the kind of relationship you have with this person, but keep it simple and always bring the message back to love.
A few well wishes, such as hoping to see them back at work soon, or hoping that you’ll have a chance to get lunch with them at their favourite place in the next few weeks will give them something to smile amount. Try to make the greeting as personal as possible.
Don’t Focus on the Illness/Injury
The person who you’re sending this card and present to is already very aware of the predicament they’re in. The chances are that they’re already in a decent amount of pain and discomfort, so don’t write a paragraph in their card telling them how shocking their accident was and how terrified you all were that they might not pull through.
Make a reference to how bad you feel that they’re not feeling their best and leave it at that. The point of a get well soon card is to make someone feel loved, and help them to forget about their woes. Instead of focusing on what’s happened, concentrate on the things that you’re going to do when they’re feeling better. Maybe you can talk about treating them to a movie night, and snuggling up on the couch when they’re feeling better again.
Be Empathetic
Remember to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, and try to imagine what they’re thinking or feeling. If someone’s recently broken their leg, they probably won’t want you to talk about getting back on their feet. Even if the person has a good sense of humour, it’s far too much of a cliché. Try to think carefully about each word you write, and show the person that you have their best interests at heart. What would you want to see written in a card if you were in the same situation?
If possible, it might be worth making a note about how much you want to be able to help them through this difficult time. Letting the other person know that you’re there to help them out if they need something can help to alleviate some of the isolation people feel when they’re unwell.
Sign Off the Right Way
Once you’ve finished writing your message, and you’ve made it clear how much you care about the person, sign off correctly. Don’t just write your name at the bottom of the card. Make sure that you finish with something warm, like “thinking of you”, or “can’t wait to see you soon”. This will be one final reminder that the person has someone who cares about them waiting outside of this illness.
Remember to deliver the card and present it together if possible, and be careful about picking the present too. The right combo can go a long way.
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