List of Acts of Kindness Ideas for Yourself

Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let the burden of past mistakes be an albatross around your neck that weighs you down for the rest of your life. Everyone deserves a chance at redemption — including you.

Then, write down the next step. When the time comes, take that next step. Do this again and again until you cross your own personal finish line. If this is what you want more than anything in the world, don’t give up until you accomplish your goal. We’re rooting for you so hard.

Find something that makes you smile broadly or laugh loudly with genuine, happy pleasure. Savor that moment. Enjoy it. Let it linger. If you’d like, share it with others. Joy, like kindness, is contagious.

It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. Just identify a behavior that you’d prefer not to do any longer and work slowly and steadily on eradicating it. You are not a captive of your past — you are the captain of your future. Embrace what betters you, and release what does not.

The next time you see or hear about a casual act of cruelty (in any form — whether in person or on the news), do a random act of kindness to counter it. The acts don’t have to be equal — your random act of kindness is simply a way to lift spirits and fight the feeling of helplessness by flooding the world with more kindness.

Create the world you want by putting more of what you want out into the world. The more people who do acts of kindness, the kinder our world will be. Kindness is contagious. Do an act of kindness today.

Sometimes, you just need a break to spend quality time in the company of people you enjoy. Take a moment to get refreshed and rejuvenated in a safe environment filled with an abundance of love and laughter so that you have more strength and energy to tackle tomorrow’s problems.

Mentors come in many forms. Some you meet in person. Others you learn about through books, videos, or classes. Discover who you admire and what they’re doing that may also work well for you — then apply it in your life. Knowledge is power, but there’s satisfaction in action. Don’t just dream — do.

Exploring new places broadens our perspective. It allows us to increase our exposure to new people, new ideas, and new ways of doing things so we learn more about the world around us. Travel to a new country, a new city, or a new place in your local community. The more you know, the more you grow.

Find creative and interesting ways to reconnect with the most important people in your life. Make time for a long-overdue heart-to-heart talk or mail cards to loved ones telling them how much they mean to you. Be kind to yourself, and be kind to the people you love. It’s harder for relationships to wilt when they are constantly cultivated.

Exercise can keep your body strong and active, improve cognitive function, and help reduce stress, among other things. Best of all, a little goes a long way. Be kind to the body you have by keeping it in good shape. Good health is the greatest wealth.

When life feels overwhelming, focus on what you have — not what you don’t. Take time to count your blessings and appreciate all the things, both big and small, that bring you joy. Gratitude has the power to bring peace and perspective.

Whether it’s eating dinner at an exceptional restaurant, going on a trip to an exciting destination, getting tickets to a popular concert, or just taking a lovely stroll in a scenic location, treat yourself to your heart’s desire. You don’t have to wait for someone else to make your wishes come true — perhaps you’re the special someone you’ve been waiting for.

So many of us spend endless hours worrying — oftentimes about things that never happen. This worry and anxiety about the future robs us of the ability to enjoy the present. It’s not possible to stop worrying completely, but minimizing the time spent worrying about things beyond our control allows us more time to engage in more rewarding pursuits.

Relieve the day’s stress with a relaxing massage. You don’t have to splurge on a fancy masseuse if you don’t want to — feel free to ask a loved one for help. Whether it’s a foot rub, a back rub, a neck and shoulder massage or more, allow yourself to be pampered — even if only for a little while.

When life gives us wins, celebrate accordingly. The size of the win doesn’t matter. What matters is, for all of its hardships, life is beautiful. Mark the positive milestones with wonderful memories.

Despite sleeping every night, many people struggle to get a restful sleep. If this describes you, put yourself first and develop a sleep solution that works best for you because getting enough sleep is important for good health. A good night’s sleep can improve mood, boost productivity, and help your mind and body recharge for the day ahead.

Do you have old friend whose presence you really miss in your life? You may have lost touch or allowed life to simply pull you in different directions. Consider reaching out to rekindle old ties and give your friendship a second chance. There are no guarantees, but some things get better with age.

Speaking of friends, be open to meeting new people. The world is filled with wonderful people from all walks of life and you never know how your lives will intertwine. Who knows? Maybe someone you don’t currently know and may not have even met yet may eventually turn out to be the very best friend you’ll ever have — so open your heart to new friendships.

It feels funny to compliment ourselves. We compliment others, but rarely think to compliment ourselves. Yet we deserve praise, too. Take a moment and give yourself the accolades you deserve. Appreciate yourself. Recognize all of your effort and hard work. You’re pretty great, and it’s really nice to acknowledge that sometimes.

Push yourself outside of your comfort zone so that you continue to learn and grow as an individual. Find a topic you’re interested in and teach yourself something new. What you teach yourself is less important than the fact that you always keep learning. There’s immense joy in being a lifelong learner.

People often think kindness only helps those who receive the kind acts, but acts of kindness also help those who perform them. Doing random acts of kindness feels good. Kindness warms your heart, lifts your spirit, and gives you a sense of purpose — so go out of your way to be a kindness creator and do acts of kindness every chance you get.

If you’re ready for a really fun kindness adventure, take a KIE Kindness Challenge. Push yourself to see just how kind you can be.

How many acts of kindness can you do in a limited time? How far can your goodness spread? How many lives can your kindness touch? Take your kindness game to another level as you challenge yourself to be kind in exciting and creative ways.

Every now and then, no matter how energetic we are, we just really need to rest. Power down with your favorite form of relaxation and enjoy every minute of it. Take a hot bath. Read a good book. Watch an entertaining video, movie, or television show. Or simply sip your favorite beverage. Do whatever you want. You deserve a well-earned break.

We all have places that make us happy — places that feel special to us because it seemed like whenever we went there, good things happened or good deeds were done. Go back and visit one of those places when you get a chance. Flood your soul with happy memories. Renew your spirit and remind yourself of all the magical moments in your life. May you make many more.

You’re not alone in this world — even if it feels like it sometimes. It’s hard to ask for help, but one of the kindest things you can do for yourself when times are tough is admit you need help and then seek the help you need. Be kind to yourself. Don’t suffer alone.

Bringing an animal home isn’t for everybody. Some people can’t take on the additional responsibility of pet ownership. Others simply aren’t interested in it. However, if you’ve always wanted a pet and have the ability to take good care of it, just know there are few things as beautiful, pure, and unconditional as an animal’s love.

Take a moment to soak up the sun. Pick a gorgeous day, put together some tasty treats, spread out a big blanket, and unwind. Bring your favorite friends and family, if you’d like. The main goal, however, is to lay back and lounge. There’s value in just basking in the glory of a beautiful day.

Have you ever had a really good idea hit you as you were walking around? There’s something about walking that improves creativity and help us think. In addition to being a wonderful source of exercise, walking helps clear the mind and can provide us with valuable clarity and insight. The next time you’re struggling to think through something, do yourself an act of kindness and take a long walk. It might be more helpful than you think.

Many of us have causes close to our hearts — things that matter immensely to us. Help advance a cause or an organization you love with your talents, resources, and time. No act of kindness is ever wasted — so be a part of moving the ball forward on an issue that means something to you.

You know those special foods or meals that make us happy? We all have them. Not all of us can make them though. Try your hand at learning how to make some of your favorite foods so you can eat them and share them whenever you’d like. Look through cookbooks, find recipes online, or ask talented cooks to help you out. At the very least, it should be a delicious learning experience.

Did you know our environments have the ability to shape our mood and affect our performance? If you’re interested in increasing work productivity, experiment with your workspace until you develop an environment that works for you. When you get rid of distractions and optimize the tools you need to succeed, you set yourself up to do your very best work.

Making money through multiple means can help build wealth and protect your finances from sudden shocks or losses due to the variety of your income sources.

Educate yourself fully on all the different ways to make money (i.e. salaries, royalties, interest income, stock market investments and dividend income, real estate investments and rental income, etc.) and see how you can slowly incorporate additional sound ways to make money into your financial life.

Learning is always exciting — so is meeting new people who share your interests. If you’re yearning to learn something, consider taking a class. Excellent teachers from all around the world are teaching incredible classes — both online and in person. Take advantage of the numerous learning opportunities so you have the potential to get smarter every day and reach your greatest heights.

Sometimes, we just need to let go. We need to forget about everything and just have fun. When you’re alone or with people with whom you feel safe, dance like no one’s watching. Sing your favorite song at the top of your lungs like you’ve got the voice of an angel when you don’t. Be proud of who you are and never be ashamed to look a little silly. The best way to get through life is with loads of laughter and levity — so laugh a lot.

It’s fun to dream about the future. It’s more fun to make your dreams come true. If there are things in your life you want to do, get started on them. Don’t just make a bucket list — actively work on crossing items off your list because you’re in the process of completing them. Live the life you dare to dream. Don’t wait for the perfect time. The perfect time is now.

In every life, there will be challenging times. Give your future self a gift of kindness that will help you during these difficult moments. Write yourself a note filled with words of encouragement and strength that only you will read. Only you can know what those words of strength and comfort should be because you’re the only one that’s ever walked in your shoes.

Maybe what you write is a list of all of your positive qualities so you can look at it when you’re feeling down and remember your strengths. Maybe it’s a description of your greatest accomplishment so you can remember you’re capable of amazing things. Whatever it is, keep the note safe and access it when times are tough. Take care of your mental health.

Sometimes, we need a reminder there’s a lot of good in this world. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the bad because it seems to be everywhere, but the world is filled with wonderful people who do acts of kindness every day that make the world a better place.

Find the light. Find the people who show you the light. When you find your source of positivity and light — something that fills your heart with warmth and helps you see the good in the world — hang on to it.

Everything you’re trying to do — know that you don’t have to do it alone. There are kind people in this world who are happy to be by your side as you discover who you want to be and how you can fulfill your greatest potential.

Be on the lookout for them.

When you find these people of integrity who will help you and have your back — have their backs, too. Love and support one another. Help them be their best and let them help you be your best, too. Remind one another of the importance of goodness as you, individually and collectively, work towards greatness.

Part of being kind to yourself includes investing in yourself and engaging in acts of self-care. It means giving yourself what you need not just to survive — but to thrive. No matter how busy you are, take time out of every single day to do something just for you. Guard that time like it’s precious because it is.

What you do with that time is up to you. Will you learn a foreign language? Write a book? Just get some peace and quiet? The choice is yours, but do something that feeds your soul. Rejuvenates it. Awakens it.

After all, it is only after you have fed yourself that you have the energy and vitality needed to properly feed others.

When you’re feeling down, remember to believe in yourself and the goodness that resides inside of you. Know that there’s so much in this world you can do — people you can help, goals you can accomplish, love you can share.

You’re not perfect — but neither is anyone else.

You have failed in the past — but so has everyone else.

Don’t let a constant drumbeat of negative thoughts beat you down. You’re growing. You’re changing. You have the potential to be an immense force for good in this world and do amazing things, if you’re willing to work.

So, work on yourself. Work on the life you want.

Help others, but help yourself, too.