58 awesome ways to share kindness and why it matters
With my favorite stories on kindness given to me
⚠️ Warning: This post will likely make you smile, inspire you to action, and maybe even change someone's day today. Are you ready to join the kindness revolution?
Have you ever had one of those moments where a stranger's kindness completely transformed your day?
I have! It's pure magic.
Before we go head-first into the complete kindness “playbook” (yeah, I made that up), here are five simple kindness acts that you can do right now (yes, literally today) to spread some joy:
1. Send a text you've been meaning to send—the one to congratulate your friend on their new job or accomplishment (or belated birthday 🥴) or to check in on someone who's been quiet lately.
2. Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line (trust me, this one creates ripples - I'll tell you my story in a minute!).
3. Give a genuine compliment to someone about something specific, such as the amazing outfit they are wearing, the shoes they have and you want, or even their contagious energy. I’ve complimented people on their energy—the smile you get is priceless.
4. Pick up three pieces of litter in your neighborhood (bonus: it's exercise!) We can all do 3 pieces.
5. Write a positive review for a small business you love. We think about doing it, but then we never take the 3 minutes to actually do it. It means the world to a small business, so don’t hesitate.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." — Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is onto something here. Kindness isn't just possible - it's powerful.
Let me share two personal stories that jolted my perspective on random acts of kindness.
One winter evening, my teenage daughter and I were eating dinner at the local bowling alley diner. You know… that diner that still has the decor from the 80s, some ripped vinyl seats, serves breakfast all day, and you can walk away with only spending twenty.
There was an older couple sitting in the next booth over. I briefly noticed them when we first came in — apparently, they noticed us too. When we were done eating and had pushed our plates to the side, and the waitress came over without the check. She smiled and told us that the couple that was seated next to us (they had already left) paid our bill. They didn’t wait around for a thank you.
They gave away kindness without the need for a pat on the back. My heart melted.
Another time, in the Starbucks drive-through, I ordered my usual matcha latte. My debit card was ready, but when I pulled up to the window, the barista informed me that the person in the vehicle ahead of me paid for my drink. What! I was beyond grateful that a stranger did this wonderful thing. It was so simple. It didn’t cost much. But the ‘kindness’ of it meant so much.
So what did I do? I paid for the order for the next person in line. I hope that they did the same.
Kindness isn’t just good for others, it's literally good for your health. I'm not making this up! Research shows that being kind does these amazing things:
Releases oxytocin (the "feel-good" hormone)
Reduces stress and anxiety
Strengthens your immune system
Creates lasting positive memories
Builds stronger communities
Making kindness a daily habit
Want to make kindness a habit?
This may feel weird to do, but it can help make it a habit:
Literally add to your calendar (until it becomes habit)
Plan two specific kind acts you'll do (eventually it will be second nature)
Reflect on one act of kindness you received or gave today
More kindness please…
Smile at strangers. When you smile at strangers, they will often return the favor in kind. This creates a positive feedback loop that makes everyone happier throughout the day!
Give someone a genuine compliment. If you see someone wearing a beautiful scarf, tell them that their scarf is beautiful. If your co-worker did a great job on a project, tell them so. Watch people’s faces light up when you compliment them!
Hold the door. This one is simple and easy to do, but it can make a big difference. If you see someone coming toward the door behind you, hold it open for them.
Make a meal for someone who is going through a difficult time. I know the last thing that I want to do when I am struggling is to cook (even though I love to cook), so meals are welcome! The bringing of food when you lose a loved one (I’ve experienced this) is so kind and literally helpful.
Send a handwritten letter to someone telling them how much you care about them. Have you received a handwritten letter lately? Neither have I! But I know how much it would mean to me.
Offer to babysit for someone for free. Do you know someone who could use a break, but may not be able to afford a babysitter?
Put your phone away when visiting with others. Please, please do this! We all know how annoying it can be to have a conversation with someone who is paying more attention to their phone than us. Most of us are guilty of this!
Sneak a love note into your partner’s lunch box, handbag, or briefcase. I have done this with my kids and with my partner, and they LOVED it! I know I would!
Invite someone to lunch and pay. If you can swing the cost, why not treat someone to lunch and get in some good social time (put your phone away)!
Give blood. There are two reasons why giving blood is a great way to give kindness. First, it’s an important act that helps many people around the world. Second, you get something back—a sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that someone else’s life was potentially saved because of your donation.
Ride your bike to work instead of driving if possible. Help to reduce your carbon footprint, which is kindness for our world.
Donate an old bike to a local charity or school. Not everyone can afford a bike for their child. This is a good one!
Get to know your neighbors and help each other out. Getting to know your neighbors is a great way to get to know and help out your community. Need a cup of sugar? Ask your neighbor! I have this relationship with my neighbors and it’s so amazing. We have a big group text, and we text each other every week. Sometimes, we text for fun, but we also use the text chain to alert each other of things going on in the neighborhood.
Write a thank-you note to someone who has made a difference in your life. Thank-you notes are a simple way to show gratitude. They can be used in many situations, including when someone has done something for you or if you’ve been invited to an event. They are also a great way to show someone that you care about them and think highly of them.
Help load groceries (or anything else) into someone’s car. I was at a thrift shop not too long ago, and a young college student was trying to fit a small kitchen table out the door by herself. I couldn’t not help! So, we both grabbed an end and made it through the door. I then asked if I could help get the table into her car, which wasn’t an easy feat as it didn’t fit! Well, we made it fit. It took some effort, and some serious jiggering. That felt good, and she was so appreciative.
Forgive someone. Forgiveness is so powerful. It can help us let go of the past and move on with our lives. This shows kindness to another person, as well as to yourself.
Volunteer with a group you care about. There are endless groups that need volunteers, so finding one shouldn’t be difficult. You can find volunteer opportunities via Google (make sure it is a trusted source), at your local library or community center, and through word of mouth.
Give someone a hug. Hugs are just good for the soul. They help us feel loved and connected, understood, supported, and valued. Just ask for permission first. If you have a friend who is feeling down or just needs some extra support, hug them!
Leave happiness quotes in random places in your city/town. This is a lot of fun! Write or print a bunch of happiness quotes on small pieces of paper. Roll them up and tie with a string or leave them face-up in random spots around the city or town you live in. Or, paint happiness rocks! I see these quite often on trails I walk — I might paint one myself.
Be kind in traffic and let cars through (safely).
Leave a bigger tip than is expected.
Bake healthier cookies or muffins and give them away.
Call and/or visit someone who has lost a loved one.
Instead of asking someone how they are doing, ask them—how is your day today? Then stop and listen to what they have to say.
Let someone cut in front of you in line (I do this all the time).
Give someone your seat on a crowded bus or subway.
Put coins in an expired parking meter.
Donate essentials to your local homeless shelter.
Talk to a stranger at an event who looks like they don’t know anyone. We did this at a Yelp event. There was a girl sitting all by herself, so we invited her to our table, and we became fast buddies!
Bring treats to your local fire station.
Give teachers extra school supplies at the beginning of the school year.
Write letters to those in the military.
Shovel a neighbor’s driveway when it snows.
Walk a neighbor’s dog.
Snap a photo of a couple. I did this, and the most amazing thing happened! The boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend while I was taking the picture. I was jumping up and down for joy for them!
Spend time with your grandparents.
Make a family member breakfast in bed.
Write a list of things that you adore about a friend, then share it with them.
Donate books to sick kids in the hospital.
Hide money in random places for strangers to find.
Help a friend in need (in any way you can).
Buy extra food when you go grocery shopping, then drop off the extras at your local food pantry.
Don’t forget to be kind to your #1 asset: YOU!
10 more ways to spread kindness
49. Create a free little library in your neighborhood.
50. Start a kindness challenge at work and track random acts of kindness for a month as a team.
51. Plant a community garden and share the harvest.
52. Organize a skills swap in your community and trade what you're good at for what others can teach.
53. Write appreciation notes for service workers (mail carriers, garbage collectors, etc.). Throw a little extra in the envelope in the form of a tip.
54. Create care packages for new parents in your neighborhood.
55. Start a birthday fund at work to celebrate everyone's special day.
56. Set up a neighborhood tool-sharing program because not everyone has alllll the tools they need. Why go spend a bunch of money on one tool when you could simply borrow one from a neighbor?
57. Create and share a playlist for someone going through a tough time.
58. Start a compliment chain— challenge others to pass on genuine compliments.
Exercise your kindness muscle
Here's the thing about kindness—it's like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. You could literally make this world better by spreading more kindness.
"If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours." — Dolly Parton
The kindness challenge
I challenge you to try one new act of kindness each week for the next month. Start with something small, something that feels natural to you. Maybe it's leaving a bigger tip than usual or sending an encouraging text you've been meaning to send. Whatever you choose, remember this: every act of kindness, no matter how small, can create positive change in our world.
Ready to start your kindness journey? Choose one act from this list right now—yes, right at this minute—and put it into action. Then come back and tell me how it went.
Kindness is contagious, and we're all carriers.
Do you know someone who might LOVE this? Go ahead and share it and spread the kindness.
Cheers ~
Paying for someone else’s bill—I’ve read about it before, but I’ve never actually seen it happen in India. Maybe I’ve just been too wrapped up in my own world. I need to get out more.
I’ve always had the urge to compliment strangers when I see them dressed up nicely. But every time, the words rise to my throat and get stuck there—overthinking kicks in, and I wonder what they’ll think. And 9 times out of 10, I stay silent, even when I really want to say something.
That’s something I need to work on.
I need to borrow the one about leaving a note for my wife. What a great way to make someone’s day better