Expressing kindness is very simple. Even better, the following simple ways of sharing kindness can be completed fast. It really is all up to you.
It might seem like a small action, but expressing your appreciation through a simple act of kindness, creates a positive impact.
Why wait, here are the 20 fast and simple ways to express kindness.
Express Kindness (The Quick List)
- Say something kind to someone on social media
- Explain why you are saying thank you
- Tell someone to have a nice day
- Buy someone a cup of coffee
- Tell someone if you like what they are wearing
- Thank your partner for their hard work
- Tell your child you appreciate them
- Write your child a note and leave in on their bedroom door
- Text a friend and say something you like about them
- Thank your school’s front desk administrator
- Offer your mail delivery a treat
- Send a praise email to you children’s bus driver and cc their supervisor
- Give up your seat on public transportation
- Let someone cut in front of you in line
- Smile at someone who looks stressed
- Hold the door for someone
- Mail a “thinking of you” card to a friend
- Offer to take a photo of a family
- Write a note and leave it on a store shelf
- Share from your garden
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How These 20 Simple Kindness Acts Impact Others
1. Say something kind to someone on social media
Sadly, social media can be filled with unkindness and judgment. However, sharing words of kindness, especially if someone is struggling, can promote happiness. Even better, if you see a post that you disagree with, keep on scrolling.
Be sure to check out episode 33, An Opinion About Opinions. Available on all podcast apps or by visiting the podcast episode page.
2. Explain why you are saying thank you
Hopefully, most people have the common decency to say thank you. Taking those simple 2 words and expanding why you are saying thank you, could make someone feel extra appreciated. For example, “Thank you for bagging my groceries with care.” Everyone wants to be appreciated and acknowledging their kindness is kindness within itself.
3. Tell someone to have a nice day
Yes, 4 simple words can make an impact. Add a smile to someone having a rough day, and could possibly make their day filled with a little bit of kindness.
4. Buy someone a cup of coffee
Coffee is the ultimate drink of kindness. Usually, coffee is how we start our day, get a jump start, become re-energized or just a treat! Add someone buying you a coffee and it makes you giddy.
5. Tell someone if you like what they are wearing
Ladies, this is especially for you. Think of how great you feel when another woman says they love your hair or something you are wearing. It feels amazing! Kindness is women building up other women, one compliment at a time.
6. Thank your partner for their hard work
My husband is amazing at saying thank you. After dinner, my husband always says, “Thank you for making dinner.” My response is “Thank you for working hard.” My kids will say the same to both of us. We will also thank the kids for helping with dinner, setting the table, cleaning up their plates, and doing their best in school. This daily reminder, helps all of us appreciate each other by sharing words of kindness.
7. Tell your child you appreciate them
Like teaching our children life skills, we also need to show them how to express appreciation. It is easy to get in a habit of saying “clean up your room”, “brush your teeth”, etc… It is equally important, to help show them their value through words of kindness. For example, “I love how you are so creative, especially the way you painted this picture” or “You are working hard on your reading and doing an amazing job. We are proud of you.” It does not take much to let them know they are valued.
8. Write your child a note and leave in on their bedroom door
Every Valentine’s Day, from February 1st – 14th, we leave positive notes on their doors. The notes say anything from, “You are smart!”, “You are funny!” or “You are artistic!” My daughter especially gets excited to see the daily notes. Randomly, we leave notes in their lunch bags so they know we are thinking about them throughout the day.
9. Text a friend and share a funny memory
Especially when it is a long-time friend, it is nice to send them a quick text. Reminisce about funny, and maybe some embarrassing, memories. Usually, it will make them laugh. Laughter is a beautiful form of kindness.
Another way to be kind, is by subscribing to Mom Treading Water! Click here!
10. Thank your school’s front desk administrator
Until I joined the PTO, I had no clue how much the school front desk administrator did! She is the heart of our children’s school. The kindness she brings every day is invaluable.
11. Offer your mail carrier a treat
Without a doubt, mail carriers have a challenging job. More than likely, they hear more complaints than kind words. Offer them cold water on a hot day, a $5 gift card to a coffee shop, or make some cookies to say thank you.
12. Send a praise email or post regarding your children’s bus driver
The person who holds a tremendous amount of responsibility for our children’s safety? The bus driver! If you truly think, they drive the bus, have to watch the kids, anticipate all the other drivers, and get your kids back and forth to school safely. Honesty, I can barely handle 2 kids in the car! Share words of kindness on the school’s Facebook page. Or, email the driver and copy their supervisor so they know you appreciate their dedication.
13. Give up your seat on public transportation
Clearly, if you see someone who needs the seat more than you standing, I’m sure most of us would give up our seat. Take a little further and if you see someone standing who looks exhausted, give up your seat. Karma will repay you for your kindness.
14. Let someone cut in front of you in line
Yes, we have all been there. You have a couple of items, in a rush and the person in front of you has 100 items. Maybe, we have been the person with the 100 items and the person behind us only has a couple. Chances are, you are not going to get that much ahead by letting the person go in front of you and the other person will praise your kindness for a lifetime.
How have others shown kindness to you? Comment below!
15. Smile at someone who looks stressed
Smile! Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Sharing a smile to someone who looks like they are stressed or having a rough day, can make that tough day a little bit better.
16. Hold the door for someone
Frustration fills my body when someone intentionally does not hold the door. Yes, if someone is 50 feet away, that is understandable but 5 inches away is effortless. When someone holds the door for me, especially when I was lugging 2 babies, it was as if they gave me a million dollars!
17. Mail a “just because” card to a friend
A wonderful friend, who sent me a postcard to say hello, keeps a stash of cards for when she wants to send a quick note. Brilliant! Plus, it is so exciting to get something in the mail that is not a bill! What an easy day to send kindness to anyone’s day. For only $9.99, I had to add these inspiration vintage postcards to my cart!
18. Offer to take a photo of a family
We have all been there! Enjoying a family moment and there is no one to take a picture. If you see a family together and they are taking photos, offer a kind gesture and ask if they would like you to take a picture.
19. Write a note and leave it on a store shelf
This idea came from our local library story hour. All it takes is a piece of paper, we usually cut it into 4 x 4, and write a simple note. Some kind sentiments might be:
- Have a great day!
- Smile!
- Do something kind for yourself!
- You are needed!
- Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others.
- Share a silly joke.
20. Share from your garden
Starting a garden was the best decision! Am I great at it? Heck no! Luckily, some years we have an overabundance so we offer to neighbors, friends, family and our mail carrier (see #11). Unexpectedly, the kindness was returned by receiving some delicious zucchini bread!
How do you show kindness?
What are ways that you show others kindness? How have others shown kindness to you? Be sure to comment below.
Showing kindness does not always require an expensive, time-consuming act. Truly, it is able to express kindness in fast and easy ways. All that is required to show kindness is being aware.
