A get well card needs three short things: that you heard and are thinking of them, one line that is about them and not the illness, and either a real offer or something to look forward to. Two to four sentences is plenty. Match the tone to how serious it is. A joke is fine for a broken ankle, and wrong for a diagnosis unless they joked first.
If they are seriously ill or will not recover, leave out "get well soon" and write "thinking of you". There are examples for that further down.
The formula
- Say you heard. "Sorry to hear about the operation" or "I heard you've been in hospital". It shows the card is for them and not one of a pile.
- One line about them. What is worse without them, something they said, what you like about them. This is the line they will remember.
- An offer or a plan. Make it specific and already decided. "I'm bringing dinner on Thursday" is easier to accept than "let me know if you need anything".
- Take the pressure off. "No need to reply", or "rest, nothing here is urgent". Ill people have a lot of messages to answer.
You do not need to name the illness, and you do not need to say anything wise.
Match the tone to the illness
| What has happened | Tone | Leave out |
|---|---|---|
| A cold, flu, a minor injury | Light. A joke is welcome | Drama |
| An operation with a recovery ahead | Warm and practical | Guesses about how fast they will heal |
| A serious or long illness | Plain and steady | "Get well soon", talk of fighting it |
| Mental health, burnout, time in a clinic | The same as any other illness | Advice, and asking what caused it |
| They will not get better | Love, and thanks for who they are | Anything about things improving |
Examples
A close friend
Something minor:
Heard the ankle lost its argument with the stairs. That's rubbish, I'm sorry. I'm coming round on Saturday with crisps and every series of that terrible baking show. You don't have to be good company.
After an operation:
So glad the operation is behind you. Don't rush any of it. I've got the dog walks until you can manage the hill again, and I'm bringing soup on Thursday. You don't get a say.
Something serious:
I don't have clever words. I love you and I'm not going anywhere. I'll message on Sunday, and you never have to answer.
A coworker
Keep it friendly and say that work is covered. That is what they are lying there worrying about.
Sorry to hear about your back, Marek. The office is quieter and the coffee is worse without you. Rest properly. Nothing here is on fire.
Hope the recovery goes smoothly, Dana. Your accounts are covered and nobody is allowed to email you. See you when you're ready, not before.
On a group card, one line is enough:
Get well soon, Ife. The quiz team is losing without you.
Thinking of you, and hoping each day is a bit easier than the last.
If you do not know what is wrong, do not guess and do not ask. "Sorry to hear you're unwell" covers everything.
Family
Dear Grandad, I hear the nurses already know your views on hospital tea. I'm coming on Sunday with a flask of the proper stuff and the crossword. Love you lots.
Mum, you looked after all of us for years. It's our turn, so please let us. I'm there on Friday to do the shopping and boss you about.
For a child, keep it short and give them something to look forward to:
Dear Noor, I heard you were very brave at the hospital. When your arm is better we are going for the biggest ice cream in town. Love, Auntie Sam
Someone you barely know
A neighbour, a friend's parent, a client. Short and polite is right. A small, specific offer is kind if you can make one.
Dear Mrs Okafor, I was sorry to hear you've been in hospital. I've been putting your bins out, and I'm happy to bring anything in from the shops. Wishing you a steady recovery.
I was sorry to hear you've been unwell. Wishing you a good recovery, and I look forward to seeing you back when you're ready.
When it is serious, or they will not get better
"Get well soon" can sting when getting well is not certain. Write about them and about now. Do not promise an outcome.
Dear Helen, I've been thinking about you a lot since I heard. I won't pretend to know what this is like. I'd love to come and sit with you, to talk about anything or nothing. I'll ring on Tuesday to see what suits.
You've been on my mind every day. No need to write back. I wanted you to know that you're loved and that I'm here.
If they are dying, you can say what they have meant to you while they can still read it:
I've been thinking about all the Sunday lunches at your table, and how you made every one of us feel like the favourite. Thank you for that. I'm so glad I know you.
Funny
Only for something minor, and only for someone who would laugh. Aim the joke at the situation, never at their body.
Get well soon. The group chat has gone downhill and we need you back to lower the tone properly.
I hear you'll do anything to get out of the away day. Respect. Get better soon.
What to leave out
- Advice. Diets, supplements, what worked for your cousin. They have doctors.
- Your own story. "When I had mine out" turns the card towards you.
- Battle talk. "You'll beat this" and "stay strong" make recovery sound like a matter of effort. If they talk that way themselves, follow them. Otherwise leave it.
- "At least." At least it was caught early, at least it is not worse. It tells them how to feel.
- Reasons. "Everything happens for a reason" is no comfort from a hospital bed.
- Questions about the diagnosis. A card is not the place, and they may not want to say.
- "Let me know if I can do anything." Kind, but it hands them a job. Name the thing.
- A deadline. "You'll be back on your feet in no time" is a guess, and it stings if the recovery is slow.
Writing one with Hemmingway
If you are stuck on the first line, try the get well message generator. Tell it who the card is for, what has happened, how serious it is, and one real detail, such as what you can bring or what you miss about them. It works only from what you tell it. Read the result, change anything you would not say, and copy it into the card in your own hand. There is a free trial with no card needed, and the plans are on the pricing page.
If someone is having a hard time that is not an illness, the encouragement message generator fits better. If the news turns out to be the worst, there is a guide on what to write in a sympathy card.
Try HemmingwayDownload the app
Common questions
What is a good short get well message?
"Thinking of you and hoping each day is a little easier" works for almost anyone. For someone you know well, add one line only you could write, such as what you are bringing round or what is worse without them.
What can I write instead of "get well soon"?
Try "thinking of you", "hoping today is a gentle one" or "I'm here, and there's no need to reply". These suit a serious or long illness, where "soon" may not be true and a promise of recovery is not yours to make.
What do you write in a get well card for a coworker?
Say you are sorry they are unwell, add one friendly line about what the place is like without them, and tell them their work is covered. Do not ask what is wrong. On a group card one line is enough.
Is it all right to be funny in a get well card?
Yes, for a minor illness or injury and a person who likes a joke. Aim the joke at the situation or at yourself, never at their body or how they look. For anything serious, stay plain unless they have joked about it first.
What do you write in a get well card after surgery?
Say you are glad it is over, tell them not to rush, and offer something for the weeks of recovery: a lift, a meal, the dog walks. Leave out guesses about how quickly they will heal.