This week we honoured ‘social media kindness day’, a campaign set up after the late Caroline Flack. Now we honour World Kindness Day. We are more than aware it’s easy to get caught up in your own thing. Especially with everything that has transpired over the last couple of years. There is no better time than now to be kinder. Whether it’s friends, family or strangers, it never hurts to treat others with kindness. How To Be Kinder: World Kindness Day
How To Know You Need To Be Kinder
With this blog we aren’t calling you unkind. We promise. You can still be a good person and not be acting kind. It’s more about noticing when you are getting more frustrated and finding people winding you up more than usual. Meaning that we are more susceptible to forgetting others feelings around us. This is what we need to try and notice in order to be kinder. You might be finding that you are getting so consumed with these negative feelings you aren’t paying attention the positive things in your life. Maybe your friends, families, pets or even just a sunny afternoon. Sometimes you might even just have a nagging feeling that you should be doing something positive but don’t know what.
How To Be Extra Kind To Those Close To You
Sometime it is the closest people in your life that might find you aren’t showing with the kindness you should be. That’s because you can still be a good person but acting kind requires a conscious effort. Whilst it might take some effort on your behalf, sometimes you spreading your kindness to others can start a chain of positive actions. Here are some kind actions you can consider:
- Give them a big hug;
- Call them (it seems simple but checking in goes such a long way);
- Check in on them when they have a stressful day at work;
- Remember their birthdays and send them a card;
- Go and visit them (if you can make the time it’s a really nice gesture that you want to see them);
- Listen to them carefully and make a conscious effort not to interrupt them;
- Acknowledge their feelings and respect their choices;
- Do a chore for them, especially one that you know they don’t like doing;
- Invite them over for a home cooked dinner (or a takeaway if you can’t cook);
- Wear a gift they gave you in their presence.
How To Be Extra Kind To Strangers
Sometimes the most powerful way to be kind is by offering selfless kindness to strangers. Not knowing a person and finding the time in your day to make theirs better is truly beautiful. Giving to others can really help you to focus on your social connection and sense of purpose in life. With that in mind here are some ways you can be extra kind to strangers:
- Start easy by saying please and thank you to people;
- Open the door for someone when they are walking through;
- Donate books that you have read to charity or the library and share the wealth of knowledge;
- Welcome new people to a community as it can be essential to a happy life. Either nip round to their house or give them a phone call;
- Return a misplaced item or give it to the lost and found box.
- Send of a Christmas shoebox to children in need this holiday season;
- Volunteer your time;
- Buy some flowers and give them out to strangers;
- Ask someone in customer services how their day is;
- Pick up strangers rubbish (but make sure you have a litter picker upper and gloves).
