Do you ever feel like the world is just a little too brutal? That you can’t seem to escape all of the negativity no matter where you turn? That there is lack of kindness among each other?
It can be really tough to keep your head up and your spirits high when it feels like everywhere you go there’s someone or something trying to bring you down.
But don’t worry, we’ve got four simple strategies that will help you bring more kindness into your life, and in turn, create a more positive environment for yourself. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Pay it forward – do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return.
This is the simplest of all kindness strategies because you don’t even need to think about it! All you have to do is pay it forward, and act on an impulse to do something nice for someone else.
Being kind has become so second nature for some people that they hardly notice when they’re doing these little acts of kindness.
2. Keep an attitude of gratitude – make it a point to be thankful for what you have.
Life can get crazy sometimes, and without even realizing it we tend to take the things we always have for granted. That’s why it’s so crucial to remember all of the amazing things that you do have in your life every day, not just on Thanksgiving, but every single day.
It’s easy to get caught up in all of the negative things that you don’t have, or could have been better about, but it really only leads to unhappiness and a lack of gratitude for what you do have.
One great strategy is to keep a journal of positive things in your life. If you’re feeling down, take a few minutes to look back through your journal and you’ll be reminded all over again of the great things in your life.
3. Be patient, kind and forgiving – It’s not always easy but try to let things go.
This goes along with the attitude of gratitude strategy because usually when we’re feeling down it’s because we’re dwelling on the things we don’t like and want to change about our lives. We get frustrated and upset and think that life isn’t fair (and it never will be, btw).
But we need to remember that we can only control ourselves . It’s easy to lose sight of this concept when we’re focusing on the problems in our lives. But it’s actually a huge relief to remember that we have the power to change our lives. Also the way that we think about those certain things.
4. If you can’t be positive, at least be quiet – if you don’t have anything nice to say…just don’t say anything at all.
This one is probably the hardest of all the strategies because sometimes you just need to get something off your chest.
And that’s perfectly okay, but it’s important to realize when you’re saying something negative simply for the sake of venting and when you’re actually looking for advice or feedback.
If someone is in a vulnerable place, they really don’t want to hear about how you’re struggling with the same problem. If you know that, be respectful and keep it to yourself!
5. Smile at strangers – it can make their day and yours too.
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning because it can be so rewarding. Smiling at strangers and saying hello not only makes the other person smile, but it also boosts your mood and will make you feel happier too! It’s something that we take for granted every day, but is such a simple way to make someone else’s day.
6. Say “thank you” and “please” – these simple words go a long way.
This one isn’t so much a strategy as it is just something we should remind ourselves on a daily basis.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we forget the most basic of manners.
It’s always nice to be kind to someone. Whether they’re your server at dinner, the cashier at the grocery store, your parents, friends or even someone in traffic. And this strategy is just a reminder to keep it up!
7. Put yourself in their shoes – sometimes we need a little perspective.
Sometimes you go through a tough day and just want everyone around you to have the same bad day that you’re having. But what would happen if everyone else had your day?
That’d be a pretty chaotic world, right? Sometimes it’s hard to understand what someone is going through because we can’t relate.
But practicing this strategy helps you put yourself in their shoes so you can have some perspective and be more sympathetic to whatever they’re going through.
8. Count your blessings – you might be surprised.
This is another strategy that’s more of a reminder than anything. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in the problems we have. But it’s important to remember that there are always people who have it worse.
That sounds kind of cliché, but you’d be surprised at how much better your mood can change when you take a second to think about all of the good things that are happening in your life.
It’s easy to forget about them – or kind of become numb to them, because they’re just part of our everyday lives.
But practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to take control of your happiness!
9. Be there for others – offer a listening ear, lend a hand, or just be present in their lives.
And in case it wasn’t already obvious, having meaningful relationships is one of the best ways to create happiness in your life.
It’s surprising how much you can learn from someone else just by being there for them when they need it. We all have busy schedules full of obligations and stress. So, carving out some time to really be there for someone else is often what we need the most.
We all just want to know that we’re supported by those around us and that they care. Whether you’ve known them forever or are just becoming friends with them.
