50 small acts of kindness that can turn someone’s day around

The Golden Rule is based on the principle that you should treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself.

There is also solid, scientific proof that people who give to others are generally happier people.

When you do something kind or thoughtful for someone else, you are, in essence, giving them something. And we all would prefer it if other people treated us with kindness and thoughtfulness, wouldn’t we?

So performing small acts of kindness is a win-win situation. Everybody benefits. Everybody is happier.

Here’s a repertoire of random acts of kindness we can all keep in mind as we go about our days. Some of them may cost you a bit, some of them may come free.

1. Hold the door for someone

Frankly, this is common courtesy, right? But you can be kind by showing manners. So the next time you open a door, hold it for the person behind you—even if they are far behind you.

2. Visit the elderly

There are countless old people who have been forgotten by their families. Why not call a nursing home in your area and ask if there is anyone who never gets a visit? Then pop in and say hi.

3. Let someone in front of you

Face it, we’re all busy. We’d all rather be somewhere else than that lineup we’re currently in. Consider letting someone in front of you.

4. Compliment a stranger

You want to be careful to do this in a non-creepy way but saying something nice to someone can go a long way. Maybe that tired looking mom with the well-behaved kid needs to hear that she’s doing a good job.

5. Make a meal

Do you have a friend or neighbor who is in a family going through a rough time? How about cooking a meal and taking it to them?

6. Put coins in the parking meter

If you happen to see a parking meter that’s about to expire, feed some coins into it. Do this especially if you see a meter maid in the vicinity. The person you help will likely never know who did it, but maybe they will pay it forward one day.

7. Pay for the car behind you

If you’re in the drive through—and the vehicle behind doesn’t have a family of seven it it—pay for their food. Of course, you can pay for the family of seven if you want!

8. Help a senior

Help them to their car. Help them cross the street. Help with their groceries or mow the lawn. There is so much you can do here.

9. Babysit for free

Give your friends a break. Tell them you’ll watch their kid(s) while they take a much-deserved date night.

10. Snow blow the neighbors driveway

Not everyone can afford a snow blower. So if it snows, head on over to your neighbors and do their driveway and walkway for them.

11. Show the new kid around

Here’s one for the younger ones. If there is a new kid in your school, why not offer to show them around? Make them feel comfortable. Make them feel welcome.

12. Greet someone in their language

Depending on where you live, there might be a lot of cultures in your neighborhood. Why not learn how to say hello in someone else’s language?

13. Tell mom you will cook

Moms can always use a break. And think of how much most moms do for their kids. So why not tell her to sit down and let you cook tonight?

14. Leave quarters

If you have a few extra quarters after you finish up at the Laundromat, consider leaving them for the next person. If you can afford to do so.

15. Good morning!

Start someone’s day off right. Send them a text and let them know you are thinking of them.

16. Buy some lemonade

If you see a few young entrepreneurs running a lemonade stand, be sure to stop. Buy a cup and praise their industriousness.

17. Support a local business

Everyone reads reviews. Do you have a new local business struggling to be noticed? Write a rave—but honest—review and help them along with a little social proof.

18. Leave a generous tip

If you have an especially good encounter with a server, make their day. To the extent possible, leave them with a tip that will loudly proclaim how happy you were with them.

19. Bring donuts to work

Don’t do this if everyone in the office is on a diet! If not, a big box of donuts to share can make it a much better day for everyone.

20. Regift a gift card

Have you received a gift card you will never use? Perhaps a card for a specific store? How about walking through the store and randomly giving it to someone shopping there?

21. Story time at the library

Do you have a local library? If you love to read, you could offer to volunteer your time reading to the kids.

22. Put on a concert

Do you play an instrument? Seniors love live music too. Why not offer to put on a little concert at the local nursing or retirement home?

23. Save your pop can tabs

More of a beer drinker? That works too! Just save the tabs from your fave beverage and donate them to your local children’s hospital.

24. Make someone breakfast in bed

Be spontaneous. On a day they’re not expecting it, surprise a family member or roommate with breakfast in bed.

25. Visit your grandparents

We’ve already talked about doing something for forgotten seniors. Make sure you don’t forget about the seniors in your own family.

26. Mentor a youth

It’s a sad fact that there are millions of youth among of who are in need of a good role model. Could that be you? Think about giving some of your time to a child in need.

27. Lend a hand

Do you see someone struggling to carry too much? Or maybe trying to pick up something heavy? If your hands are free or you have the strength, pitch in and lend a hand or two.

28. Do your siblings’ chores

Is there are chore that your sibling has to do that they hate. And perhaps you don’t hate it quite as much? Surprise them and do it for them once in a while. Maybe they will do the same for you.

29. Provide roadside assistance

Too many people just drive on by when they see someone in need. If you see someone at the roadside trying to change a tire, stop and help them.

30. Rake the leaves for the neighbor

Raking leaves may seem easy to some, but it can be back-breaking for others. Why not head over and help out the next door neighbors if they look like they could use assistance.

31. Give up your seat

On the bus. On the train. Trust me, there is someone who needs that seat more than you do, and you can stand to give up yours just this once.

32. Send flowers

Not for a special occasion like a birthday or something else. Surprise someone with flowers for no reason at all.

33. Run an errand for someone

Maybe it’s going and buying them a carton of milk. Maybe they need diapers for one of their kids. How about you do that for them? I bet they would appreciate it.

34. Read to the vision impaired

This may be the elderly or not. But why not offer to sit and read to someone who can’t do it for themselves.

35. Buy coffee for the next in line

You don’t have to be obvious about it. Just tell the employee at the counter that you want to pay for the next person and give them some extra cash. And hope they don’t pocket it.

36. Leave a nice note on someone’s car

We’ve all seen those passive aggressive notes that get left on cars. How about a nice positive message on the car of a neighbor, coworker, or even a random car.

37. Hide a love note

Slip a note into the pocket, purse, wallet, whatever of your significant other. Or maybe write something on the bathroom mirror or shower wall. They will love to know you’re thinking about them.

38. Speak up when someone does a good job

Don’t just complain about bad service. Call an employer and let them know about exceptional service.

39. Let someone pull into your lane

Letting another driver in front of you isn’t going to have much of an impact on the time you arrive at your destination. So let them in.

40. Return that stray grocery cart

Instead of leaving that cart in the lot that you can tell is going to crash into someone’s car, why not put it where it belongs? Or use it yourself if you are on your way into the store.

41. Offer to share your umbrella

Are you staying nice and dry under your umbrella while someone else gets soaked? Offer to share. Even if a person turns you down, it’s a nice gesture.

42. LinkedIn

If you have an account, you can do a good deed by leaving a recommendation. This could be for a coworker or for a connection.

43. Leave coupons

If you have coupons you will never use before they expire, leave them for someone else. You could leave them right by the product in the store.

44. Give stuff away

If you’re getting rid of something and you don’t need the money, just give it away. You can put it on Craig’s list or just put it out at the end of your driveway with a note saying it’s free.

45. Support your local animal shelter

Maybe you can’t adopt or foster a pet, but there is something you can do. You can donate old blankets and towels. You can also spend time with the animals.

46. Encourage a coworker

If you have someone on your team that isn’t getting the recognition they should, step up. Send them an email expressing your gratitude.

47. Learn people’s names

There are people that we interact with all the time like security guards at the office, parking lot attendants and so forth. Learn their names. Smile and greet them. Let them know they are important too.

48. Bake something

And then don’t eat it yourself. Take it to the neighbor and watch their face light up.

49. Drive someone home

Even if it’s a bit out of the way, don’t let someone take public transportation home if it’s within your power to drive them yourself. And not because they have had too much to drink. Just to be kind.

50. Invite your neighbors over

Have you ever had your neighbors over for a meal? Maybe a BBQ? This is especially thoughtful if they are new to the neighborhood. Have them over. Get to know them. Make them feel welcome.

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Article Sources:

Random Acts of Kindness

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