What's one thing a friend, family member, or even a stranger could say to you that would brighten your entire day?

[SerenGlow]

Morning~

Oh! Well yes, said in a 121, directly to me. I was quite taken aback and very touched. 😊

Your dad has died. The relief would be huge.

That my adult stepdaughter might say ‘what would help with dad right now? I can’t promise I can do all the things you’d want but I’ll do what I can, I’ll be realistic about the things I can’t, and if I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.’

I absolutely love this and live by it. I will always say to people if I am thinking something nice about them - your hair looks great, your skin is gorgeous, you did a great job in that meeting, i thought you handled that so well, I think you are so lovely when you talk to clients on the phone, I would love to be as organised as you are etc!

I had therapy a few years ago in which I mentioned I never wear yellow or purple because they make me look ugly even though I really like them. I own a yellow dress, because I love it, but genuinely never wore it. My therapist challenged me to wear the dress.

A few days later I was going out for a walk around the park near my home and decided to put on the dress for the walk. Honestly I was so nervous. It's ridiculous how scared I was that total strangers were going to look at me and judge how hideous I looked in this garment.

About 5 minutes into the walk a woman on a bike stopped and complemented my dress and how lovely I looked in it. She actually stopped her bike! I was so astounded im pretty sure I just gaped at her. Still not entirely sure she wasn't a plant sent by the therapist 😂 but to say it made my day is an understatement. It was a good few years ago and it still makes me smile. Plus, now I love wearing the dress!

Though also a huge plus of the therapy is I've now learned that a. It doesn't matter what I look like b. Genuinely doesn't matter at all if things suit/don't suit, if you like something you can wear it... largely because c. Most people aren't taking a blind bit of notice anyway and if they are the majority aren't thinking horrid things, and if they are...well, are they people who's opinion should matter? No they are not.

This sounds really hard, sending love ❤️

Fast forward to May 2025, coming from someone I really rather like: "I've been thinking a lot about that email you sent me before Christmas and I think I'm now in a good place to start dating again... fancy going for a drink this weekend?"

A girl can hope!

Same here - it's so nice to see people light up when you give them a genuine compliment isn't it?

Any positive words from where I work would go down a treat.

It really is!! Also something I try to do, and it's rubbed off on DC. If you think someone lights up when you compliment them wait till you see them when a 5 year old says 'I LOVE your shoes! And they match your earrings, what a day!' 😂or more recently I worked really hard at a project and was pretty proud of myself, but it hit the roof when DS pointed out their fave parts of my work and said 'you can tell you've really put your heart into this mum'. Definitely had something in my eye after that.

Edit: my pride hit the roof...I didn't get mad,.which is usually what that means. Bad choice of phrase.

@okayhescereal Brilliant. Well done to you for doing the hard therapy work, that shit ain’t easy. A big cheer to the lady cyclist too.

Thanks! It was worth every minute and every penny. Am a much more content and confident person these days :)

I knew what you meant and that is genuinely so, so lovely. It'll take your DC far in life too. How gorgeous. 💕

And for me...I'd love to hear that my daughter gets the part in a show that she's auditioned for that would make my week as she'd be so happy

Well, you have the yellow dress of power and confidence. What CAN’T you do????

I would love to hear my late fathers voice. He died when I was very young and I can’t remember it anymore.

I would love him to meet his granddaughter and remark on how his talent and sense of humour runs down through him, to me, to her.

crossing my fingers for her 🤞🏼

I bumped into an acquaintance in the supermarket and she said, "Hi Nikita, I'm so pleased to see you! I wanted to thank you for that advice you gave me (weeks ago). It worked a treat!"
It was only a small thing but it solved a problem for her and she was thrilled! So yes, it's nice to have someone say they are pleased to see you and give you a compliment out of the blue.

Last week my new boss said it was clear how well respected I was in our organisation. That meant a lot as I've been struggling with lack of confidence lately. Several people said my new jumper was lovely today. I don't rate my appearance or trust myself choosing clothes so that was nice. A woman on the Eurostar once told me how wonderfully behaved my children were and that I could write a book on parenting (!). It was less than a year since my DH had died and my eldest has adhd and is a lot of work so it was an amazing compliment and I nearly cried.

If people don't thank me for holding a door for them I say something as its really bad manners.