Life’s rough.
It moves fast, and we’re all just trying to keep up.
It’s easy to forget to be kind.
For some people, it’s a lost skill.
You also can’t always consider everyone else’s mood when struggling to keep yours good, or at least just neutral.
Being kind can sometimes be harder than it should be.
But it can make someone’s day, and yours too!
Your kind words or gestures could cause a ripple effect.
If everyone decided to be a bit kinder, imagine the possibilities?
I think life would feel less rushed and busy…
Want to get the ball rolling?
Here are some things you can do:
1) Greet people with a smile.
Smiling and greeting people warmly will always be my go-to for kindness. It’s such a simple, mainly effortless thing to do that holds incredible power.
Imagine you’re walking to a local coffee shop. As you approach the door, someone else is on their way out. Instead of rushing past them or looking away, you make eye contact and smile.
You might even add in a “hello” or “good morning” too.
This small gesture can instantly create a positive atmosphere. It will change your mood and theirs.
People like to be acknowledged. Greeting someone is a way of saying, “I see you, and you matter.”
You can literally lift someone’s spirits with a simple smile.
And to top all this, you’re setting a good example of how to brighten someone’s day.
If you want to kick it up a notch, you can even…
2) Compliment others.
Okay, I get that it can feel a little awkward to just blurt out, “Hey, I like your dress!” but it can boost someone’s self-esteem in an unimaginable way.
Seriously.
Compliments are a verbal gift.
Whenever I go for a haircut or wear something I usually wouldn’t (and feel great in), I patiently wait for someone to compliment me. It feels nice when people recognize and appreciate something I feel good about.
A compliment can make someone feel a little more confident, help you build stronger connections with people, and cause a wave of kindness.
Remember to be sincere and specific. Avoid generic phrases like “You look nice” or “That’s a great color!”
Notice the small details and say, “I love that color on you – it makes your eyes pop.”
Dishing out a compliment will cost you nothing and add some joy to someone’s life.
Don’t hesitate to share when you like something about someone.
You’ll also notice that the more time you spend looking for the things you like about people, the more you’ll…
3) Avoid gossiping and negative talk.
It’s natural to have frustrations or concerns about others, but how you express them matters.
Kindness involves considering how others would feel if they heard what you said. When we gossip and talk negatively about others, we never want them to hear it.
If you’re known as a gossip, your life will be pretty miserable too. People will never steer clear of conversations with you and avoid building authentic relationships.
Avoiding gossip makes you a kinder person. If you set the example, you’ll also have a positive impact on the people around you.
Caught in a convo where others are gossiping? Try doing this:
- Change the subject to something neutral.
- Speak positively about the person being talked about.
- Set clear boundaries or remove yourself from the conversation.
If you’re having issues with someone, being direct is the best way to solve them. Talk to them, not behind their back.
4) Be patient.
If you really want to be a kinder person, you should practice patience. It will make being around you a better experience, and if you think about it, you’ll be happier too.
I’m an anxious person. Whenever someone watches while I do even the simplest thing, I feel stupid. But, when I know they’re a patient person, it eases my nerves.
Impatient people tend to get frustrated or stressed out over the tiniest things. And I know sometimes you might be late and really not have time to get stuck in traffic, but getting angry won’t solve the issue anyway.
When you’re patient, people who are already struggling will have space to breathe. It reduces their stress and makes you a kinder person.
Patience can also prevent conflict.
And if you’re in a real hurry and someone seems to be taking their time, so you absolutely have to say or do something…
5) Be mindful of your words and actions.
You should always think about how the things you say or do impact others.
I’m not saying you’re responsible for someone else’s feelings or how they deal with hard truths. But mostly, whatever we need to say or do toward others could be done more kindly.
So, before you say or do anything, pause and think.
Ask yourself, “Is this helpful? Will this make them smile, feel understood, or maybe even brighten their day?”
If the answer is yes, go ahead.
But if it could hurt, offend, or upset them, you might need to reconsider your approach.
6) Do some random acts of kindness.
The best way to be kind is to spread goodness wherever you go. So, here’s the scoop:
Doing small, unexpected acts of kindness for strangers will make their day better and make you feel good.
You know, like holding the door for someone.
Or paying for the coffee of the person behind you in line.
Or offering your seat to someone who needs it more when you’re riding the bus.
Or helping someone struggling with heavy bags.
It’s not about big, expensive gestures, although you can do these too if you’re able.
Want to know why these random acts are so cool?
Well, first off, it’s about the element of surprise.
Most people walk around feeling miserable about life. They expect nothing good to come their way, and even if they hope something will, they rarely think it’ll actually happen.
Random acts of kindness are like a burst of positivity in an ordinary moment. And it’s so contagious too!
People are likely to pass on these kind experiences, creating a beautiful chain of goodness.
Not sure what to do? Or how? Or maybe you just feel a little uncomfortable?
My suggestion to get going:
7) Volunteer.
There’s something special about helping others in need. And if you need help finding these people, a community center looking for volunteers is the perfect place to start!
There are countless opportunities out there. I promise.
Here are a few:
- Volunteer at local food banks.
- Get in contact with underprivileged schools and mentor young students.
- Participate in community clean-ups.
- Help an elderly neighbor once or twice a week with basic stuff around the house.
- Donate a few dollars to local charities.
These actions may seem small, but they’re like dropping pebbles in a pond: the ripples of your help extend far beyond the initial impact.
When you help others in need, you’re making the world a better place. This act of kindness will also enrich your life in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.
It’s a win-win.
And every time you do something kind, you get better at it. The saying is true:
Practice makes perfect.
Kindness doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s probably one of the easiest skills to master.
Start small – with a smile or compliment – until you don’t even have to think about doing it.
