Credit/debit card
By phone bill
There’s no doubt about it – life is hard. From job losses to break ups and illnesses to death, there are times in our lives where it can be extremely difficult to stay positive and appreciate the benefits that life brings. And with our TVs and newspapers often filled with sad stories, it can sometimes feel as though the world is a bad place.
Well, we’ll let you in on a secret…the world is, in fact, a fantastic and magical place filled with joy and kindness. The problem is, when we face a period of grief or pain we often forget all the great things that came before and all of the lovely people that surround us. We forget that without sadness, there is no happiness. We forget that although bad things happen, people are generally good and kind.
Whether you’re going through a difficult time in your life or you’re struggling to see the good in people, it can sometimes help to make an effort to be more kind yourself. By striving to make things better, you’re likely to meet new people, make new friends, open up new opportunities and remind yourself how wonderful the world is.
If you like the idea of making the world a better place, here are 50 ways you can do just that. Have we missed anything? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
- Once you’ve finished a good book, pass it onto a friend
- Buy something from a charity shop
- Donate old clothing
- Volunteer to help a worthy cause
- Do something kind for an elderly neighbour
- Offer to pay for a stranger’s coffee in the queue
- Apologise when you hurt a person’s feelings
- Learn from your mistakes
- Plant a tree
- Respect your elders
- Invite your neighbours to your house for a party
- Exercise outdoors
- Pay someone a compliment
- Buy a sandwich or a drink for a homeless person
- Forgive someone who has wronged you
- Stand up for issues you believe in
- Help those less fortunate than yourself
- Meditate
- Take sweets or a packet of biscuits to work to share with your colleagues
- Encourage others to reach for their goals
- Give blood
- Make new friends by joining an exercise class or club
- Be nice to shop workers
- Learn about politics
- Vote. Your opinion counts
- Offer to care for a friend’s pet when they’re on holiday
- Make fun plans – and stick to them
- Register as an organ donor
- Say thank you
- Hold the door open for people
- Tip your waiter or waitress
- If someone looks lost, offer to help them
- Sign petitions
- Share your favourite film with a friend – push the DVD through their letterbox as a surprise
- Water a friend’s plants when they’re away
- If possible, walk to your destination instead of driving
- Call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time
- Focus on the positive things in life instead of dwelling on the negative
- Don’t spend too much time on social media
- Embrace spirituality
- Donate your old magazines to your local doctor’s surgery
- Write a thank you note
- Visit your local museums and art galleries
- Go ‘meat free’ one day a week
- Make other people laugh
- Appreciate your local busker
- Smile at strangers
- Write a list of all the things you love about life
- Put your phone away when spending time with your family and friends
- Say ‘I love you’ often
