Two words from the right friend, “proud of you,” can carry you through an entire week.

Three ordinary words land hard when they come from someone whose opinion you actually weigh. Most of the time you are running on your own read of yourself, which is rarely generous. A short line from the right person interrupts that, and it lasts because it arrived unprompted and cost them nothing to keep to themselves. It is also the cheapest thing you can hand out.

Think of one person grinding away at something quietly and tell them you noticed. Do not dress it up. Name what they did, say you are proud of them, and let that be the whole message.