It can be easy to get caught up in your own life and forget to nurture those around you. Here are 11 random acts of kindness to show people you care and put a smile on their face.
- Put a strangers trolley back at the supermarket
Listen, you’re going that way. Might as well help someone out! It could be an elderly person, a parent trying to wrangle their kids, or someone who doesn’t even look like they need the help. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a really low effort way to restore someone’s faith in humanity.
- Turn your socks in the right way before you wash them
Whether you’re doing your own washing or someone else is doing it for you, this is just better for everyone involved. Trust me. Look, they just wash better, don’t argue with me. Plus, next time you’re in a rush, you will save precious seconds getting ready because your socks will already be in the right way.
Like this story? Read about us ranking our readers best ways to turn a bad day good here.
3. Make friends with an elderly person. Good for everyone involved.
I have a friend. Her name is Audrey and she is 95 years young. I love her. You have no idea how valuable it is to build friendships with people from a different time to you. We have covered every topic you can think of, from poetry, to Harry and Megan, to the Mini Cooper she used to race down the M25. There is never a dull moment and I will always cherish our friendship. Company for her and endless laughter and knowledge for me. Befriend an OAP, it’s good for the soul.
4. Leave reviews for your favourite small businesses
It’s tough out there for our beloved indie businesses and we are very much in ‘use them or lose them’ territory. If you want to do something that will take you mere seconds and could actually impact the trajectory of someone’s livelihood, show them some love. A post in the local Facebook group, a tag on Instagram, a Google review; they all go a really long way and let other shoppers know that this is a spot to visit.
More on independent businesses:
- A female greengrocer perseveres in a male dominated field
- The world’s happiest brand? How Hello DODO have built a business on puns, prints and positivity
5. Tell them they’re doing a good job
It does not matter at all who ‘them’ is. Tell them they’re smashing it, that you liked the meal they cooked you, that you thought their outfit looked great. Tell them that you appreciate them and that they’re cool and no, everyone does not hate them. It all pays off.
6. Refill the ice cube tray
I hate doing it. It irritates me. Especially those ridiculous silicone ones that wobble and bend and send water all over the place. But someone’s got to do it and here’s why it should be you. Did you use the last ice cubes? Do you like having the autonomy to cool down your beverages? Do you have respect for the person whose ice cube tray you’ve just cleaned out? If the answer to at least one of these questions is yes, they refill the damn ice cube tray. Bonus points if you add something fun like fruit or edible flowers!
7. Get to know your neighbours. Wave at them.
You don’t know who they have locally. Maybe no one, maybe fifty people, but a quick ‘hi, how are ya?’ can really make people feel comfortable living in your proximity. No one’s saying you’ve got to invite them round for Sunday lunch, sometimes a polite nod and a ‘I took your parcel in because you weren’t home’ can go a long way.
For more in Hopeful Hearts, read here
8. Hold the door. It’s not awkward to be nice.
Picture it. You’re halfway through the door when you see them approaching. Eye contact has been made. They’re ever so slightly too far away but you know they’re going the same way as you. It would be easy to succumb to the brief awkwardness of standing there for a beat longer than anyone wants to, and walk away, pretend it never happened, and lay awake at night haunted. It is also super, duper easy to wait the extra three seconds and then get on with your day. Just a thought. Social anxiety fears YOU.
9. Show up with snacks.
Everyone likes snacks. Everyone’s mood is improved by snacks. Providing someone with a sweet treat should be its own love language. Also, showing up empty handed is boring.
10. Make playlists for people
You don’t need to be in love with someone to serenade them. Music can be fun as much as it can be intimate. Send a song to your friend if you think they’d like it. Make a sappy playlist for your partner. Have a playlist for walking the dog. Make your mum a mix of what was topping the charts when she was your age. Music connects us; connect.
11. Tinned food can be cheap. Donate where you can
You can get a tin of beans or chickpeas for less than a quid. They’re versatile, they’re nutritious and they’re cheap. There are donation points all over the place where you can make a difference in your community. You can find a food bank here.
