40+ Encouraging Words & Quotes for a Friend Feeling Down

Words of encouragement can go a long way on days when your friend is struggling.

If you’re unsure what to say, these are some phrases that I've found helpful and we have a list of quotes from inspiring people that can offer guidance in being there for someone who needs some extra encouragement and positivity.

Please note that if your friend is having suicidal thoughts it's important to reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988.

Words of encouragement have the power to uplift and inspire. Whether it's a simple "You got this!" or a heartfelt note of appreciation, the impact of kind words cannot be overstated.

In fact, research has shown that words of encouragement can not only boost confidence but also improve mental health and increase productivity.

With words of encouragement when someone is feeling down, I think it's also important to acknowledge all of your friends emotions and avoid being too positive.

Sometimes people need a friend to help them feel seen and process their feelings when they feel sad, mad, stressed, or frustrated.

These sayings focus on encouragement through connection, mindfulness, and support.

With that in mind, here are some of the best words of encouragement to a friend feeling down quotes which could be a reminder that even though things may seem hard right now, better times are ahead.

5 Simple Phrases to Say to Encourage Your Friend Who Is Feeling Down

If you're not sure what to say to your friend who is struggling, here are some ideas! These come from things I've heard over the years and quotes from others.

Your Feelings Are Valid

I distinctly remember the first time my therapist said this to me. I was in college and nobody had ever said this to me. I felt heard and understood. I think this simple phrase makes a big difference in making people feel seen.

It's Okay to Feel Sad

Acknowledging that it's okay to feel mad, sad, or frustrated is a great thing to say. This helps people recognize these emotions that are often labeled as negative are actually part of the human experience.

I'm here for you

This is a simple phrase to remind your friend that they are not alone. This reminds them that they have support while they work through difficult times.

What Can I Do to Help?

This is a great reminder to your friend that you are there to support them. If the are not sure consider small things like leaving them daily quotes, cooking them a meal, or sending them something in the mail to remind them that you love them.

What Do You Need?

This is another question my therapist often asks me. It makes me stop and think. Often times it requires I pause, think mindfully, and listen to my body. Sometimes I need a nap, a snack, a hug, company from a friend.

Asking this question encourages your friend to pause and think about what they need in that moment of struggle. Sometimes we're so focused on surviving we forget to think about what we need to do to take care of ourselves.

30+ Quotes for Friends Who Are Feeling Down

If you don’t have the words., consider these quotes!

Quotes to remind your friend they are loved and valued

Sometimes your friends need reminders that they are loved and appreciated. When life gets busy and stressful, it's easy to forget the importance of telling those closest to us how much they mean to us.

Consider writing one of these quotes on a note to remind your friend they are loved and valued.

“I’ll always be here for you. I’m not going anywhere. I’m never going to leave you.” ― Jaci Burton
“May you always know you have my hand to hold.” ― JJ Heller
“When there are no words to say, but know that I’m always here for you.” ― Danielle Duckery
"I see your fear, and it's big. I also see your courage, and it's bigger. We can do hard things." -Glennon Doyle

10 Quotes for Difficult Times

These quotes for difficult times are sure to remind your friend that they are not alone during this trying time.

1. “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” ―Anonymous

2. “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

3. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” ― Albert Camus

5. “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Teresa

6. “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” ― Maori Proverb

7. “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow” ―Mary Anne Radmacher

8. “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are stronger in the broken places.” ― Ernest Hemingway

9. “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” ― Napoleon Hill

10. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ― C.S. Lewis

11."It always helps to have people we love beside us when we have to do difficult things in life." - Fred Rogers

If your friend has processed their emotions and is ready for some motivation and inspiration, these quotes are a great place to start!

12+ Inspirational Quotes for Friends

These inspirational quotes can be a good reminder that a better time is ahead!

1. "If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything." - Mary Hemingway

2."Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." - Oprah Winfrey

3.“Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

4. “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho

5. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.” ― Audrey Hepburn

6. “It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.” ― Confucius

7. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivian Greene

8. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ―C.S. Lewis

9. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” ―Steve Jobs

10. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” ― Helen Keller

11. "Don't worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try." - Jack Canfield

12. “If you want something you’ve never had, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.” ―Anonymous.

8+ Motivational Quotes for Friends

These quotes are great to remind you friend that they are capable of amazing things.

1. “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” ―Thomas Jefferson

2. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ― Nelson Mandela

3. "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." - Henry Ford

4. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ― Robert Collier

5. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ― Arthur Ashe

6. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston Churchill

7. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.” ― Michael Jordan

8. “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” ― Winston Churchill

If you're looking for more self care and positive quotes check out these other blog posts

How to Show Your Friend Care & Support When They're Feeling Down

Even the smallest gesture of care and support can make a big difference in someone's day when they're experiencing tough times. If you want to show someone you care here are a few easy ways! These little things are sure to bring a smile to your friends face.

Send a handwritten note

Writing a handwritten note doesn't take much time at all! Your friend will love receiving a surprise in their mailbox!

Make a Care Package

This can be a fun activity! Create a thoughtful care package for your friend. This might include their favorite snacks, coloring books, self care activities, gift cards, or anything else you can think of that might bring a smile to their face.

Send Flowers

Surprise them with a bouquet of flowers. They'll love the thoughtfulness and beautiful reminder that someone is thinking of them!

Bake Something Sweet

Everyone loves sweets, especially when they're feeling down. Bake your friend something special to show you care. You can always opt for a store bought treat if baking isn't your specialty.

Send a Thoughtful Text Message

Sending a text message with encouraging words or something simple such as "thinking of you" can be a great way to remind your friends that they are not alone. If they are having a bad day this will remind them that you are there to support them!

Send Snacks

Consider finding a cookie delivery place or another snack delivery option. Your friend is sure to appreciate the gesture, will love the surprise, and can enjoy the tasty snack!

Phone Call

Hearing the voice of friends or family members when dealing with hard times can be a great reminder of love. Even if your friend doesn't want to talk leaving a thoughtful voicemail can be a good idea!

Go on a Walk Together

If your friend lives nearby invite them on a walk! Getting out of the house and enjoying nature together is a great way to clear the mind and find a different perspective on life. Look for beautiful things like flowers, birds, and trees on your walk!

Cook Them Dinner

Cooking a meal for someone is a great way to remind them that they are loved and cared for. Ask your friend what their favorite meal is and cook them a delicious meal! All your hard work is sure to remind them that they are cared for.

Ways to Lift Your Friend's Spirit

When life gets tough, it's important to find ways to lift our friends spirits and keep ourselves feeling positive. One great way to do this is through funny stories - whether it's a silly joke, a hilarious experience, or a funny video clip, laughter truly is the best medicine!

Another surefire spirit-lifter is uplifting music - those catchy tunes that make you want to sing and dance along can be just the thing to turn your day around. And sometimes when we may not be able to see our friends in person, virtual hangouts are a great idea.

Whether it's a group chat, a video call, or a virtual game night, connecting with our loved ones can help us feel supported and uplifted. So next time your friend needs a little pick-me-up, try one of these ways to lift their spirits and put a smile on their face.

Planning regular group hang outs can give you friend positive things to look forward to which is great!

Reflection questions that can bring clarity on why your friend is feeling down

It's never easy to see a friend feeling down. However, asking the right questions can help shed some light on the root cause of their feelings.

Consider starting with simple, but direct questions such as "What's been going on lately?" or "Tell me more about what's been bothering you."

From there, try to delve deeper by asking questions that allow your friend to reflect on their emotions, such as "What specifically makes you feel this way?" or "When did you first start feeling this way?"

It's important to remember that everyone deals with emotions differently, and what works for one person may not work for another.

But by asking thoughtful questions and listening with an open mind and heart, you may just help your friend gain some clarity and perspective on why they've been feeling down. Be sure to listen thoughtfully! Listening is a powerful tool and can make people feel heard.

Self Care is One of the Most Important Things

In today's fast-paced world, it's important to prioritize self-care and find happiness within ourselves. With so much happening around us, it's easy to lose sight of what truly makes us happy.

To maintain our emotional and mental wellbeing, we should make self-care a priority. This is especially important to do for yourself when you're helping loved ones through a hard time.

This can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to meditate, practicing gratitude, journaling, working out, or treating ourselves to our favorite meal.

By taking care of ourselves, we can better manage stress and improve our overall quality of life. Additionally, it's important to remember that happiness comes from within.

While external factors may bring temporary happiness, true happiness and inner peace can only be found by focusing on our inner selves. So take a moment to reflect on what makes you happy, and remember to make self-care a priority in your daily routine.

You can also encourage your friends to create a self care routine. Try doing some meditations or yoga videos together. You could also consider gifting them a journal with meaningful prompts to encourage them to reflect on their feelings.

While your friend is feeling down, hopefully this blog post has given you some insight and comfort into how to effectively show care and support when they need it the most.

Whether through uplifting quotes or small gestures of kindness, it’s important to find what helps make your friend feel heard and appreciated.

Take it slow, practice self-care for yourself too, for we cannot pour from an empty cup; and lastly, never forget how thoughtfully words of encouragement can remind us of our true worth and potential.

With a little extra love, cheer, and effort we can show those close to us how much they are truly valued.

Conscious Living Guides