Free sample worksheet
Difficult-Day Message
Draft the short message you send when today is bad, so the bad day does not have to write it.
Difficult-Day Message
Draft the short message you send when today is bad, so the bad day does not have to write it.
The NAP Life & Work Toolkit — a planning worksheet, not medical advice.
1. Who, and what is affected
Optional prompts
- Is this person owed a decision, or only an update?
- What do they actually need from you — a new time, a handover, or nothing?
Prompts are planning questions only. They are not medical guidance.
2. How much you want to share
Decide this once, calmly, so you are not negotiating with yourself while you feel awful.
Optional prompts
- Does this person already know about your health, and do you want them to?
- What is the least you can say and still be understood?
- Is there a phrase you are tired of explaining?
Prompts are planning questions only. They are not medical guidance.
Whatever you would actually type. Keep the phrase you already trust.
3. The message
Write the version you would actually send. Keep it here for the next bad day.
Optional prompts
- Is there an ask in it — a new time, or a decision?
- Have you apologised more than once? One is enough.
- Would you accept this message from a friend?
Prompts are planning questions only. They are not medical guidance.
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