They say that it’s the little things that count, and I could not agree more with that statement. Some of these “little things” are the short words and phrases that are capable of positively impacting another person. So if you’ve ever said any of the following to someone else, know you have made a difference.
“Remember when…”
One of the best things is reminiscing with a friend about a past memory. This phrase is capable of taking you back to a different point in time, even for a few seconds, to acknowledge some of the best times in your life. Reminiscing while you’re with another person is great, but one of my favorite things is receiving a random text from a friend with something that reminded them of an experience that we shared together.
“How are you?”
We are so accustomed to this phrase. Many times it follows a simple hello to someone passing you by, but in that scenario we don’t actually mean to ask how someone else is. Actually stopping to ask how another person is and actually wanting to know the honest answer lets the other person knows that you care. This phrase can take the form of other phrases, such as “How was your day?” or if you haven’t seen someone in a while, “How have you been?”
“Let’s talk on the phone.”
Texting is great and all, but talking on the phone makes the conversation flow as if you’re with the person, which is especially helpful when you’re talking to someone long-distance. Talking on the phone gives you the opportunity to tell that one story that you’ve been meaning to tell, but it would be too confusing over text. It also gives you a chance to actually hear someone else’s reaction to that story instead of reading it.
“You got this.”
During times of stress and or preparation, reassurance from friends and family is one of the best confidence boosters. Whether it comes before a test, an audition that you’ve been practicing for for months, an important game, or a job interview, knowing that there is someone out there who believes in you is an amazing feeling. It also makes you want to believe in yourself even more; when someone says this, you almost can’t help but go yeah, I got this.
“I’m here for you.”
Unfortunately, this phrase is usually said to another person when times get rough. However, what make difficult times infinitely better is knowing you have someone to lean on. Sometimes this phrase doesn’t even need to be said; acts of kindness can also be used to let someone know that you’re there for them. For example, surprising someone ice cream when they’ve had a rough day seems so simple, but capable of greatly impacting someone’s day in a positive way.
“I miss you.”
At some point in everyone’s life, there are going to be people that you don’t see for a portion of time. This may be your college friends during the summer or your family and high school friends during the school year. For me, even something as simple as receiving a text that reads “I miss you” from the people that I used to see every day always brightens my mood, though it makes me nostalgic as well. However long you go without seeing someone you’re close to, letting them know that you’re thinking of them is always important.
