It’s so easy to get caught up in our own struggles.
I know that feeling all too well. For years I was trapped in a cycle of bad habits. I was focused entirely on myself: my cravings my laziness and my failures. When you’re just trying to get through the day the idea of helping someone else can feel like another impossible task on a very long list.
But something shifted for me when I started looking outward instead of inward. I realized that focusing on my own problems was keeping me stuck. It was in the small moments of turning my attention to others that I started to find my own strength and purpose. It wasn't a magic fix but it was a start. It helped me climb out of the hole I was in and it can help you too.
Kindness isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about small simple actions that create ripples you might never see. It’s a way to connect with others and remind yourself that we’re all in this together.
Kindness Is a Muscle
Think of kindness like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets. At first it might feel a little awkward or unnatural. That's okay. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is to start.
When I first began my journey to a healthier life losing over 110 pounds and building a new routine every small win mattered. Choosing a healthy meal was a win. Going for a walk was a win. In the same way every small act of kindness is a win. It builds momentum. It changes how you see the world and how you see yourself.
20 Simple Acts of Kindness to Try This Week
Ready to give it a try? Don't try to do them all. Just pick one or two that feel right for you this week. See how it feels. Notice what changes.
- Hold the door open for the person behind you and make eye contact with a genuine smile.
- Let someone with fewer items go ahead of you in the grocery store line.
- Give a genuine compliment to a stranger. It could be about their jacket their smile or their great parking job.
- Send a text to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while just to say you're thinking of them. No need for a long conversation.
- Call a parent or grandparent just to say hello and ask how their day is going.
- Leave a positive comment on a friend's social media post. Go beyond a simple "like."
- When you're with someone put your phone away and give them your full attention. Truly listen to what they're saying.
- Thank a service worker by name. Whether it’s a barista a cashier or a delivery driver using their name makes the thanks more personal.
- Leave a positive online review for a small local business you love. It can make a huge difference for them.
- Pick up a piece of trash you see on the sidewalk and put it in the bin. It’s a simple act of service for your community.
- Offer to help a neighbor carry their groceries or bring in their trash cans.
- If you see someone who looks lost or confused ask if they need help with directions.
- Write a simple thank-you note to someone who has helped you recently. It can be your spouse a coworker or a mentor.
- Let another car merge into your lane during traffic. It costs you a few seconds and reduces their stress.
- Pay for the coffee or meal of the person behind you in a drive-thru.
- Forgive someone. You don't have to tell them but let go of the anger in your own heart.
- Make a little extra dinner and drop it off for a friend who is busy or going through a tough time.
- Donate books you've already read or clothes you no longer wear.
- Share a friend's business or creative project with your own network.
- Pray for someone. For a friend a family member or even a stranger. It’s a powerful act of love and care that connects you to God and to them.
Beyond the List: A Change of Heart
This list isn't a checklist to prove you're a good person. It's a tool. These small acts are practice for developing a kinder heart. They shift our focus from "me" to "we."
For me strengthening my faith has been the foundation of this change. It's about trying to see people the way God sees them. Every person we meet is someone He loves. When we show kindness we are participating in that love. We are reflecting it back into the world. It’s not about earning anything. It’s about responding to the grace we’ve already been given.
These acts won't solve all your problems overnight. But they will slowly change your perspective. They will bring light into your day and into the lives of others. And that is a powerful and beautiful thing.
So let me ask you: What is one small act of kindness you can do today?
