Life is difficult. There are real challenging events that unfold every single day. If you watch the news, scroll the headlines on Twitter, read the NY Times or check Facebook, you can be bombarded with some very alarming headlines that can cause difficult emotions.

I do not believe that we should ignore the horrific, sad or tragic events that are happening such as wars, racial injustice, the attack on women’s rights, school shootings, homelessness and on and on and on. It is important to be aware, educated and active in our world, nation, cities, communities and neighborhoods. I don’t believe that an act of kindness can fix it all. I do not believe in toxic positivity where you just throw smiles and positive affirmations at tragedy. It is extremely important to face the difficult situations, circumstances, emotions and issues in our lives.

I believe self-care is a strong mix of facing the hard truths and realities in our world and processing the emotions around them. I also believe that we can simultaneously do acts of kindness for ourselves, others and the planet while handling difficult times and that can feel good. They do not fix problems but can add a small ray of sunshine, joy or even contentment to our lives. They are not a bandaid to wounds but they can be some of the antiseptic we need to heal.

Below I have compiled 100 ways to be kind to yourself, others or the world that can bring a small amount of hope and healing. I have found that by actively doing genuine and authentic kindness daily, my life feels more fulfilling and purposeful.

100 Acts of Kindness for yourself, others and the world:

1. Read a book
2. Call your mom
3. Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth
4. Leave a tip
5. Eat the chocolate
6. Cry when you feel like crying
7. Don’t read the comments
8. Pick up that piece of trash that isn’t yours and throw it out
9. Wear sunscreen
10. Plant a tree
11. Tell someone when they are being mean (preferably in a caring way)
12. Pull over to the right lane to let the aggressive driver pass you (extra kindness: don’t glare at them, smile instead)
13. Let the person in line behind you with only one item go in front of you at the grocery store
14. Floss your teeth
15. Thank a coworker for helping you on a difficult project
16. Send a birthday card
17. Pet a dog
18. Hold the door for someone
19. Offer to babysit for your friend who is a new parent and needs a nap
20. Rake the bunker
21. Write a letter to your high school teacher who made a difference in your life
22. High five a stranger – or maybe fist bump in the Covid Era  😊
23. Put the unwanted item back on the correct shelf in the store
24. Get a stuffed animal no matter what your age
25. Make your bed
26. Buy yourself flowers
27. Leave a book in a “free little library”
28. Recycle
29. Tell the truth
30. Re-apply that sunscreen that you are already wearing because you did #9 from this list
31. Call your dad
32. Go on a walk
33. Fill out the online questionnaire after visiting the post office
34. Send a postcard
35. Ask for the manager and then tell them what a great experience you had with ___________ (insert employee’s name here)
36. Give a person experiencing homelessness something to eat
37. Water the plants
38. Encourage a child
39. Wash the windows so you can see out of them more clearly
40. Take a nap
41. Smile at a stranger
42. Don’t just be quiet when waiting for your turn to talk – listen, truly listen
43. Puff up and then karate chop the decorative pillows on the couch
44. Take time filling out an employee review and give positive and constructive feedback
45. At work functions, a convention or a party, find the person in the room that looks like they might feel the way you feel and interact with them
46. Bite your tongue
47. Be kind to the person who calls you to talk about the extended warranty on your car even if you don’t have a car
48. Meditate or breathe deeply
49. Ask someone for support
50. Drink water
51. Call a friend
52. Pick up that 20-dollar bill you saw a stranger drop and hand it back to them
53. Write a positive Yelp review
54. Vote
55. Share someone’s online post that was inspiring
56. Give someone support when they ask for it
57. Put an “Out of office” up and don’t read the emails until you are actually back in the office
58. Set boundaries
59. Look people in the eye when you speak to them
60. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are good enough
61. Don’t leave your dirty dishes in the sink
62. Keep those boundaries that you set
63. Pay attention to people’s feelings, including your own
64. Write down your thoughts
65. Tell your kids or your sibling’s kids about your family history, traditions or other things that could be valuable to them now or in the future
66. Do something creative
67. Wear sweatpants when you want to wear sweatpants
68. Teach a skill that you are proficient at to someone else
69. Give the dog that extra treat
70. Donate: your time, your money, your things
71. Watch a butterfly or hummingbird that enters your orbit
72. Put your phone down at the dinner table
73. Take a break when you need or want a break
74. Go to therapy or coaching or to a support group or to church (or all of them)
75. Watch funny videos on line
76. Go watch a marathon and cheer on strangers (extra kindness: yell their name if you can read their race bib)
77. Protest against unjust behaviors, systems and organizations
78. Support local business with your dollars, through word of mouth and online reviews
79. Buy a lotto ticket and hand it to a stranger on the way out of the store
80. Vacuum and clean your home often
81. Get a massage
82. Send a handwritten note to a friend on a random Tuesday to express your gratitude for them and their friendship
83. Text back to the “wrong number” text and tell them to have a great day
84. Empty your spam folder
85. Keep a box of your favorite memories and share them with younger family members when you get older
86. Go to the doctor and do what your doctor suggests
87. Always order the chips and salsa with guacamole
88. Stop fully at Stop signs
89. Spend time in the garden and compost the weeds
90. Wear a life vest, your seat belt and your helmet
91. Check on your neighbors when the electricity goes out or there is a big storm
92. Join a local group or sports team – adult kick ball, yoga group, poetry reading club, book club or any other group in your neighborhood, town or city
93. Close the door behind you, or leave it open – whatever the situation calls for
94. Write your future self a letter, seal it, put it in a self-addressed stamped envelope and have someone mail it to you on a designated date
95. Wipe the toothpaste out of the sink
96. Take mass transit, walk or ride your bike whenever possible
97. Leave the campsite better than you found it
98. Let your eating partner have the last mozzarella stick
99. Do your taxes
100. Let the pedestrian have the right of way

Whatever actions, intentions and acts you decide to do, I encourage you to make it a habit to do kind things often. These intentional acts will not change the fact that some things in life are hard, but I believe they can soften your experience and help you to shift your emotions, thought processes and mindset. So why not try it? You, those around you and the world deserves it.

 Your future self will thank you.