10 Acts of Kindness We Can Do Each Day

Often when I think of doing something kind the big things are the first to come to mind. Things that cost money and things that take a lot of time are often the things I think I should be doing.

Simple Ways to Be Kind Each Day - While these bigger acts of kindness are wonderful, I don’t have the time or the budget to do these “big” acts of service on a daily basis. #worldkindnessday

While these bigger acts of kindness are wonderful, I don’t have the time or the budget to do these “big” acts of service on a daily basis.

So what can I do daily to be kind?

10 Ways to be Kind Each Day

Being kind is a way of life, the more we practice being kind the more natural it becomes.

As a parent I want my kids to be kind and one of the best ways I know to teach them is by my example. So here are 10 ways I try to be kind, some of these are things I try to do every day and others are things I try to be aware of and do as often as possible. Somedays I’m lucky and do all of these 10 ways to be kind.

This list isn’t to discourage you, I wrote this post to help give you ideas of ways you can make “being kind” a simple part of each day. Don’t forget to get your 8×10 Printable Be Kind sign at the bottom of the post.

1. Say Thank You

Saying “thank you” is often so habitual for us we don’t think of it as a way of being kind.

When someone does service for you don’t discredit it with “you shouldn’t have” instead simply say “thank you” and acknowledge your appreciation for the service. Think of the last time someone told you “thank you” didn’t it make you feel valued and appreciated?

When my 3-year-old needs something and I get it for him he often responds by saying “oh thank you, thank you so much!” This is seriously one of the best parts of my day and it makes me want to keep serving him.

2. Send a Note

In a time when text messages are more common than phone calls, a snail mail note can really make someone’s day. Sending a note takes a little more thought but it also tells that person you took more time focused on them.

When I was growing up my dad worked with the children at our church. Each Sunday he would come home with 3 or 4 kids that he had noticed something special about. (Sometimes it was the way they helped another child, or how they always smiled or possibly a talk they gave.) It was often little things. Sunday afternoon he would take a few minutes and write each of those children an Annonymous note telling them how much he appreciated their smile or thanking them for being kind to others.

These little notes didn’t take much time for my dad but I’m sure those kids felt so special that someone noticed the little things they did and appreciated them.

Though my example is of sending cards to children, I don’t think we as adults are much different. We all crave to be noticed and appreciated. So take the time to notice the little acts of kindness people perform around you and then acknowledge them.

3. Do Small Acts of Service

As a mom sometimes I feel like my days are filled with acts of service for my family from laundry to meals and everything else I’m constantly thinking of my family. It’s easy for me to think I don’t have the time to do more.

But I have found that there are acts of service I can quickly add into my day without taking much time at all.

Things like:

sending a quick text message
making a special treat for my husband or child
sending a note in their lunch
moving the shopping cart someone left in the middle of a parking spot
Shoveling the snow off someone’s porch
letting a car merge in front of me
Not getting frustrated when someone cuts me off while driving
Saying positive things about others

All of these things are little and I guess a few you might not categorize as real acts of kindness. But my goal with these daily acts of kindness is to hopefully help someone’s day go a little smoother.

Kindness: The quality of being friendly, generous and considerate #kindness #kind #serve #friendly #quote

The Dictionary defines kindness as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. So anything that fits that into being friendly, generous and considerate is an act of service in my book!

4. Encourage and Compliment

I’m sure you have had those days when nothing seems to be going right. A couple weeks ago I was grocery shopping with my two kids and the 3-year-old was calming down from a meltdown about something and I was seriously just trying to get everything I needed and get out.

During the middle of our “moment”, this older lady walked up to me and I braced myself for a comment about how loud and crazy my kids are or about being in her way. (not sure why I always think it’s going to be negative.)

You're amazing Sometimes we just need the encouragement and reminder that we are enough. So remember everyone has their struggles and giving encouragement and a compliment don't cost anything but can go a long way in helping someone feel appreciated. #encourage #motivate #bekind #kindness #motherhood

Instead, she said “you’re doing a great job. You’re a good mom” and walked away. I was so surprised I responded with a delayed thanks. That lady probably didn’t think twice about what she said to me. But it was exactly what I needed to hear to help me keep smiling and be patent while we finished shopping.

Sometimes we just need the encouragement and reminder that we are enough. So remember everyone has their struggles and giving encouragement and a compliment doesn’t cost anything but can go a long way in helping someone feel appreciated.

5. Smile

Smiling is the simplest and easiest way to be kind. A smile can travel a long way so be sure to remember to share your smile with those you encounter.

6. Listen

Something I have really been working on lately is Listening to hear. We often listen to talk, making the effort to listen to hear what someones is saying makes a big difference in how we respond and how our relationships develop with others.

7. Watch for Opportunities

Watching those around you, including what friends and family may post on social media can give us a lot of different ideas of ways we can serve. As we watch for opportunities to be kind and serve others we will start to notice all of the little ways we can serve.

Watching those around you, including what friends and family may post on social media can give us a lot of different ideas of ways we can serve. #siblings #holdinghands #serve #helping

8. Give Time

Giving time is one of the biggest ways to show kindness. Most of the ways to be kind that have been mentioned in this list involve the use of time.

Giving focused time to our spouse, children, and others is a great way to show our love for them and make sure they know they are important to you.

9. Be Kind to Yourself

It’s easy to be kind to others but it’s often a lot harder to be kind to ourselves. Give yourself grace and remember when you feel good about yourself and you have filled your bucket it is so much easier to help and serve others.

10. Decide to Be Kind and Act

Deciding to be kind is the most important thing on this list. If you make the decision to be kind to others and you are willing to act then you will find ways to show kindness to others. It might be an idea from this list or it might be something totally different, but your one decision will make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

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