10 small acts of kindness that make a BIG impact

Pre-Covid, I would commute downtown daily. While I do not miss having to make myself look like a presentable human being every single morning and cramming into a bus full of commuters, I DO miss a lot of the small things. I miss seeing an incredibly infectious smile from a stranger. I miss seeing a young man selflessly give up his seat on the bus for a mother and her young child. I even miss striking up a convo with a fellow commuter about flowers being sold in market square because sometimes that short banter was exactly what I needed to help relieve my mind from the stress of the work day. We have so much power to help others with our words and interactions. We may not be as connected face to face in our new normal, but there are still SO many amazing ways to impact the lives of those around you in a positive way. Here are a few to get you started:

1. A simple compliment to a stranger

I can’t explain how many times I’ve been rushing around or in a glum mood when suddenly, a stranger tells me that they like my outfit or my shoes. My mood improves and it honestly makes me want to tell someone else something kind.

2. Make your family or roommates favorite breakfast

There’s something about waking up on a Sunday morning to your favorite chocolate chip pancakes and fresh strawberries. It tastes twice as good when made by someone else. If you’re thinking about using this one, just do it!

3. Going below the surface of “how are you” with a friend or family member

It’s amazing how therapeutic a deep conversation can go. We often ask “how are you” as a gesture, but set aside some time to dig a little deeper. You never know how impactful or life altering that simple conversation will be.

4. Sending an inspirational quote

I have a small circle of friends and we often exchange quotes with one another. Sometimes it’s exactly what I need as a quick pick-me-up.

5. Paying for a stranger’s coffee/lunch

This is pretty straightforward. I am a sucker for social media posts where a mother who couldn’t find her wallet in the car full of rowdy kids feels a sense of relief when the stranger ahead paid for her drive-thru order or the impact it made on the stranger leading them to pay it forward to the next person.

6. Mail a greeting card to a friend or family member

We live in such a digital society, so receiving any personalized, hand-written note these days is the ultimate kind gesture. You could mail this on a holiday but even consider sending a random “thinking of you” note.

7. Create a small playlist of songs that remind you of a friend and share with them

I recently had a friend send me a Kelly Clarkson song. After listening closely to the lyrics, I felt like she was speaking to me personally. Everytime I hear the song, I think of the thoughtfulness behind my friend’s gesture. Music is so powerful. Make the playlist!

8. Tip a waitress extra

If you have a few extra bucks to spare, this is the one for you. Having several friends that have waitressed, I know how important it is that they are tipped well. You never know what they’re facing, and that extra generosity could be the hope they need to keep pushing.

9. Promote your friend’s small business

It takes $0.00 to share their post or page on your social media. That support is so appreciated and goes a long way.

10. Tell a coworker, friend or family member how amazing they are doing

Imagine you’re having a tough morning, when suddenly a text message pops up on your phone with a friend letting you know how strong you are, or how kind you are, or how awesome your new hair looks. This could dramatically change your day. Kind words go so far.

Sometimes, when we think of changing the world, we often think of huge humanitarian efforts. But the real change is in the small actions that have a domino effect. Use this list to jumpstart your daily act of kindness and eventually, this list will grow and you will feel a shift in your life. What will you do to add a little more kindness in the world today?

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