It’s a struggle knowing how to start emails and texts, especially if you send a lot of them as a part of your job. The struggle can be even harder if you communicate with the same people throughout your week.
Gifts to Pair with Your Message
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Is It Okay to Say 'Hope You Are Doing Well'?
- How to Say ‘I Hope This Finds You Well’ in a Work-Related Email
- ‘Hope You’re Doing Well’ Messages for a Friend or Family Member
- How to Say ‘I Hope You’re Doing Well’ After the Recipient Experienced a Loss or Tragedy
- 'Hope You Are Doing Well and Are Safe' Messages to Send
- How to Reply to 'Hope You Are Doing Well'
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever before that you check in with your work and personal contacts. It’s important to ask about each other’s physical and mental well-being. The phrase “I hope you are doing well,” suddenly has more meaning.
How do you check in with the people you know without using the standard phrase, “Hope you’re doing well”? Here are a few ideas.
Tip: If your email or text recipient recently lost a loved one, our post-loss checklist can help them sort through the complicated tasks and challenges they might be facing.
Is It Okay to Say 'Hope You Are Doing Well'?
Of course, it’s acceptable to begin a message with "hope you are doing well." It's friendly and succinct. It's much better than "Happy Tuesday!" or "TGIF!" It's also much better than "how are you?," which makes you sound like a second grader practicing writing letters at school.
Of course, not everyone agrees with the use of "hope you are doing well" as an opening line. This article from Inc. complains that the phrase is trite, insincere, and spammy. However, the author fails to give us a suitable alternative.
If you’re bored, take a moment to search for "I hope this email finds you well" memes. They're hilarious and show how most people really feel when another email pings in their inbox.
We hope this blog doesn't leave you staring at your flashing cursor, worried about how to start your next work email. What follows is some inspiration on how to get started.
How to Say ‘I Hope This Finds You Well’ in a Work-Related Email
How many texts or emails do you send in one eight-hour workday? Chances are that you send quite a few. Starting each one, “I hope this finds you well” sounds a little repetitive. In fact, the phrase has become so standard that it competes with “I’m sorry for your loss” as one of the most-used phrases.
Here are some professional ways to tell someone, "Hope you're doing well" in an email:
- "I hope you're staying healthy."
- "I hope this email finds you well."
- "I hope you are having a productive day."
- "How's life in [City]?"
- "I hope you're having a great week!"
- "I'm reaching out to you because..."
1. “I hope you’re staying healthy.”
Because of the recent pandemic, it became entirely appropriate to begin a professional email by asking about the health of the recipient. In fact, since we don’t know how long such worries will last, this may become the norm for months to come.
2. “I hope this email finds you well.”
We know that this phrase only differs by one word, but it somehow sounds a bit more formal than “I hope this finds you well.”
3. “I hope you are having a productive day.”
If you feel that asking about the recipient’s health is a little too personal, you may want to avoid asking about it altogether. After all, a business contact probably isn’t going to tell you that his grandma’s in the hospital or that he has been suffering from allergies lately.
4. “How’s life in [City]?”
This is a great way to start a business email. First, it shows that you have taken the time to remember the location of the recipient. Those details are important.
Second, it is an open-ended question. The recipient can respond with a comment about the weather or discuss how the Tigers are doing. Finally, the question sounds somewhat casual and friendly, but it is not too informal.
5. “I hope you’re having a great week!”
You may want to avoid using upbeat-sounding introductions during a worldwide pandemic. But if you are a naturally perky person, why not share your personality through the wording of your emails?
Perky or not, consider limiting yourself to one exclamation point throughout the text of your message. Including too many exclamation marks looks unprofessional.
6. “I’m reaching out to you because…”
Think of your email inbox. If you’re flooded with emails all day long, you understand how difficult it is to read and respond to each of them. Make things easier on the recipient by skipping the niceties and cutting to the chase.
‘Hope You’re Doing Well’ Messages for a Friend or Family Member
Checking on the well-being of a friend or family member is entirely different than communicating with a colleague or business associate. Not only should you use a less formal tone when sending messages to personal connections, but you can ask more intimate questions as well.
Here are some ideas on how to say, “Hope you’re doing well!” to a family member or friend.
- "I just wanted to check up on you."
- "I've been thinking about you. How are you doing?"
- "How's life in your world?"
- Send a meme or emoji.
- "I miss you! Are you doing okay?"
- "What's up, buttercup?"
7. “I just wanted to check up on you.”
Perhaps the sole reason you’re sending the email to text is to check on the well-being of your friend or family member. If that’s the case, sending this short message would be entirely appropriate.
8. “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing?”
Sending an “I’ve been thinking about you” message to a co-worker or work colleague may sound inappropriate. Sending that message to someone in your inner circle is a kind act.
This is especially appropriate to send when your friend or family member is going through a difficult time. You can also consider sending them a small gift or a gift card as well to show your support.
9. “How’s life in your world?”
Most of us have complicated lives full of varying responsibilities and drama. Asking your family members this broad question allows them to respond with information about their health, their work, and more. They can respond with whatever is most pressing on their minds.
10. Send a meme or emoji.
Sometimes to get the conversation rolling, all it takes is a well-timed funny or poignant meme. You may not receive a response. In fact, a person may only send a virtual laugh or not reply at all.
Sending a meme is a way of letting others know that you are thinking about them. That might be all your friend needs.
11. “I miss you! Are you doing okay?”
Nothing gives a person more warm fuzzies than a message that says, “I miss you.” In fact, we should share this sentiment with people more.
12. “What’s up, buttercup?”
Do you have a particular term of endearment for your family member? Use the name in your texts or emails. Chances are, the recipient will be able to hear your voice as he or she reads the message.
How to Say ‘I Hope You’re Doing Well’ After the Recipient Experienced a Loss or Tragedy
Do you know someone who is in the middle of a crisis? Perhaps he or she recently lost a job or received a scary diagnosis. It would be a mistake to ignore the situation. In fact, it would make you seem uncaring. Send a message to your friend or family member.
Some of these phrases would be more appropriate for work colleagues, such as if you need to send a condolence email to a client or staff member. Other messages should be reserved for your closest friends. Make sure you pick the appropriate tone so you don’t sound too formal or informal.
13. “I’m so sorry that you are going through this. Please know that you have been continuously in my thoughts and prayers.”
This message would be appropriate for anyone who’s going through troubling times. Remember, if you tell someone you are praying for or thinking about them, follow up with your promise.
14. “Despite all the troubles in the world, I hope you are doing well.”
Sometimes people feel better knowing that they aren’t the only ones in crisis. No one is immune to worry. Admit to this, but at the same time, send a wish that you hope that they are managing the stress appropriately.
15. “My heart is breaking for you. I hope you are doing okay.”
Did your friend recently lose a loved one? If you have ever lost someone, you know how devastating it can be. Don’t compare your hurt to someone else’s; your friend may feel better knowing that you have that connection.
Consider showing your support and concern with a small surprise like dropping off baked goods or sympathy flowers.
16. “You are important to me. Let me know what I can do to help.”
Follow up this sentiment with specific suggestions on how you may make life easier for the person receiving the message. Wishing someone well is different than doing something to help the person. Be a helper.
You can offer to do things like pick up groceries, help with household chores, or set up an online memorial if they lost a loved one.
17. “I recently heard about your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.”
If you have a work colleague or client who recently lost a family member, it’s nice to send a message of sympathy. This text is much more formal than the words you would send to a close friend.
18. "Are you okay?”
Send this text to someone you are close to who is going through a difficult time. Even if you know that the recipient is sad, stressed, or worried, this question is essential to ask. Everyone has a breaking point. Make sure your friend hasn’t hit that point.
'Hope You Are Doing Well and Are Safe' Messages to Send
The recent pandemic made many people worry more about the safety and well-being of others. As a result, many people included the words "safe" or "healthy" in the opening or closing lines when sending work emails.
You also might feel like it is necessary to inquire about a person's safety if there was a natural disaster in the area. For example, if you know the recipient is living in a region with wildfires, recent tornados, or an incoming hurricane, it would make sense to ask them about their safety.
Here are some ways to inquire about a person's well-being, health, or safety.
19. "I heard on the news that there were wildfires in your area. I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you, and I hope you and yours are safe."
Sending this email would be a kind gesture. You may include work details following these opening lines, or you could send it on its own.
While the text opens the lines of communication to encourage someone to share, it doesn't ask pointed questions.
20. "We are living in crazy times! Stay safe!"
The beginning pandemic was a surreal experience for many. This message encourages safe behavior without being too preachy.
21. "I hope you are staying healthy."
A person's health is nobody's business but their own. However, here's a way to send well-wishes regarding someone's health without being too intrusive.
22. "I saw that there are strong storms in the forecast this evening! Stay safe."
Midwesterners know that "strong storms" in the forecast could mean anything from heavy rains to hail to tornadic activity. So alerting someone to the possibility of intense storms is common.
23. "I heard you were under the weather. I hope this email finds you well."
Did you hear through the office grapevine that someone tested positive for COVID? Here's a way to inquire about the person using our favorite phrase.
24. "I know that many of you are evacuating ahead of Hurricane Frida. Wishing you all safe travels and prayers that the storm runs out of steam before it hits Florida."
Are you sending an email to a group of people in harm's way? Here's an example of how to wish a safe experience to many.
25. "I heard about the shooting that occured while you were in Vegas. I'm so glad you are all right!"
Unfortunately, you may have cause to send this type of message to a coworker or friend someday.
How to Reply to 'Hope You Are Doing Well'
You may have received an email with "hope you are doing well." How do you reply to it?
If you haven't recently faced any health or safety concerns, you may assume that the sender used the phrase as a standard email opener. However, if you recently experienced a tragedy or health crisis, those words may have extra meaning.
If things are generally fine in your world (or at least to the knowledge of the person sending the email), there's no reason to respond to "hope you are doing well." After all, they didn't ask a question. So instead, jump right into the reason for your email.
Here are some examples:
26. "Thanks. I'm finally feeling better, but Covid really knocked me out! I hope you were able to avoid it."
Even if a specific health crisis wasn't mentioned, you might feel ok addressing the elephant in the room.
27. "Thanks. Dad's death was quite a shock. But, I'm doing as well as could be expected."
Did you recently suffer a loss? Your coworkers may be concerned about whether you’re ready to jump back into life as usual.
28. "I was excited to read the news about the Folger's account. We're going to have a great fourth quarter!"
Some people prefer to jump right into the business at hand instead of wasting time on general well wishes.
29. "It's been a rough two weeks. We still don't have power at home and are staying in a hotel. Thanks for the well wishes."
Life is difficult sometimes. You may be tired of painting a cheery picture of your circumstances and wish to tell others the truth about your situation.
30. "Thanks! I had my last round of chemotherapy last month, and I'm feeling good and optimistic."
Your coworker's "hope you are doing well" message may be code for "how are your cancer treatments going?" We all know the importance of privacy in the workplace, especially regarding our health. However, you may feel comfortable sharing some of your health-related news. Here's how to do it without going into too many personal details.
31. "Thanks. I hope you are doing well too. I know that the first few weeks back at work after maternity leave can be tough."
Perhaps you need to inquire about the health and well-being of the person who sent the email.
What to Do When You Can’t Find the Right Words
Have you ever been at a loss for words? Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say. You may have faced this when responding to condolences, when talking with someone who recently was diagnosed with cancer, or when someone lost a child.
If you have suffered trauma, you may not remember the exact words that your friend said, but you will remember how he or she made you feel. Yes, words are important, but so is being there for those in pain. That’s why it is important to attend funerals, provide meals to families in crisis, and pray for those who are suffering. Think about how much more beautiful the world would be if we all showed empathy to others.