The Words We Often Think But Rarely Say

For the ones who don’t know, Compliment Day is celebrated every year on 24 January. It was first introduced by Kathy Chamberlin and Debby Hoffman in New Hampshire back in 1998, as a way to encourage people to speak their appreciation out loud. It started small, but it resonated. Because deep down, everyone wants to feel seen and valued. It was created to inspire people to give sincere, thoughtful compliments, the kind that make others feel truly seen, appreciated, and valued.

Let Me Tell You a Story About Compliment Day

Last year, it was just before I ever knew Compliment Day existed. I was having one of those days where everything felt like a bit too much. The kind of day where your tea goes cold before you remember you made it, and your to-do list looks like it’s written in another language. I was halfway through surviving it when my best friend sent me a message.

It just said,

“I don’t know how you always make people feel like they belong, but I’m glad you do.”

I read it twice. Three times. It didn’t fix everything, but it softened something in me. It reminded me that I matter to someone , just as I am. No filter. No sparkle. Just me.

That’s what Compliment Day means to me now. It’s not about polite flattery. It’s not about saying something nice because you feel obligated. It’s about stopping for a second to say the thing you’ve been meaning to say. The real thing.

So let me ask you this. When was the last time someone gave you a compliment that stayed with you for days? And more importantly , when was the last time you gave one?

This holiday might not come with balloons or banners, but it has something better. It has the power to pull someone back into the light, just by reminding them who they are.

What a Compliment Really Means

A compliment, when it lands right, is not about style or makeup or clothes. It’s about character. Presence. Vibe. It’s someone saying, I see how hard you try. Or, You always make people feel welcome. Or even just, You matter to me.

They’re tiny acknowledgements wrapped in sincerity. They make us feel known. And let’s be honest, we live in a world that rushes past people too fast. Slowing down to say something kind is a small act of rebellion. The gentle kind.

Here are a few ways I’m celebrating National Compliment Day this year:

I’m writing notes to the friends I usually text.
I’m telling the woman at the coffee shop that her playlists make my mornings better.
And I’m giving my best friend something that speaks the compliments I sometimes forget to say.

Ways to Turn a Compliment into a Gift

You don’t need a lot to make this day count. You just need to be sincere.

Here are a few ways to turn a compliment into a moment that stays:

Give her a little affirmation deck. Write a short message on each card, something real and specific. Something like, “You always know what to say when my brain spirals,” or “Your laugh makes any room feel safer.”

Or go with something tactile. A framed quote. A handmade card. A box of her favourite sweets with a label that says, “You’re the kind of person who makes Tuesdays better.”

Or, if you want something intangible but unforgettable, give her time. An afternoon walk. A playlist with songs that sound like her. A text that simply says, “You make people feel more alive.”

Make Compliments a Daily Practice

And here’s the best part. Compliments don’t expire. National Compliment Day is the reminder. But the habit is the gift.

So make it a tradition. One heartfelt note every month. One unexpected compliment each week. One conscious moment each day where you say, “I see this in you, and I love it.”

If you want to go bigger, you can always celebrate World Compliment Day too. It’s in March, and yes, it’s just as wonderful.

Or make your own ritual. Compliment circles on birthdays. Journal entries you give to your friends once a year. Sticky notes hidden in coat pockets.

Because the truth is, most people don’t know what they bring into the room until someone tells them.

If You Don’t Know What to Say, Start Here

If you’re still wondering what to say, let me help:

You are the kind of person who makes silence feel safe.
You notice things no one else does, and that’s a kind of magic.
You make life softer, and lighter, just by being you.

Now imagine someone hearing that. And knowing you meant it.

That’s what this day is for.
And that’s why I’ll never miss it again.

With love,
Ella Bloom