18 Ways to be Kinder This 2022

If there’s one thing that the world and your home needs in 2022, it would be kindness.An inspiring quote attributed to transformational teacher Barbara de Angelis goes, “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”

It's disarming, builds great relationships, and comes back to you.

How to be Kind to Yourself and Others

It all starts by being kinder to yourself. You cannot give what you do not have, so invest in yourself first. 

Here are 9 ways to be kinder to yourself:

1. Let go of past mistakes. We can learn and grow from our mistakes and failures. What’s important is what we do after we make them.
2. Take care of your physical health. Get your body moving and eat healthy for happy hormones.
3. Take a vacation or short pauses within the day. Learn when to step away and declare some me-time. 
4. Create boundaries. Learn to say no and walk away when needed. While this seems to be counterintuitive to kindness, there are appropriate moments when you need to protect your personal space and draw the line, so you aren’t tempted to be unkind.
5. Treat yourself to activities and people you enjoy.
6. Keep a journal and meditate. Don’t bottle up toxic emotions. Allow yourself time to release them through healthy avenues.
7. Get a good night’s rest! Ensure peaceful slumber through healthy sleep habits. Prepare your bedroom for a restful sleep. Better sleep means better days.
8. Accept that you are not in total control. Frustration stems from thinking that we can live in a perfect world. The reality is there are many things beyond our control, and making peace with this is essential.
9. Keep a grateful heart. If you think your life needs an overhaul, maybe you need to take a look at it with fresh eyes. Learn to be thankful and make the best of what is given to you so nothing goes to waste.

Practice kindness to yourself on a daily basis until it comes naturally. The more you are filled with kindness, the more you have to give to others. While kindness to strangers and even loved ones can be challenging some days, we can improve by being more intentional as we go about our day.

9 ways to be kind to others and the world around you:

1. Pay someone a genuine compliment. Resist manipulating someone’s feelings by stretching the truth or outright lying. Instead, see people for who they are and find the good in them.
2. Support a nonprofit or help a stranger. Feel your compassion and empathy grow when you serve, volunteer, or give.
3. Give someone a handwritten note. Express your thanks, sympathy, or simply get back in touch with a heartfelt message.
4. Bless someone with a thoughtful gift. It doesn’t have to be their birthday or any special occasion. This is guaranteed to make anyone feel special.
5. Learn to listen in an argument. Instead of constructing a rebuttal in your head, take time to actually listen where another person is coming from.
6. Offer to babysit or pet-sit. Tired parents (including furparents) will love you for it!
7. Let others go first. Offer to let someone go first in line. Let a person talk and air out his thoughts first. Give up your seat on the bus.
8. Encourage someone who is feeling unmotivated.
9. Show interest in someone’s life. Ask questions, listen, and learn to look at others with fresh eyes.

Kindness is a choice. Change starts when you start treating yourself and others a little bit better, a little bit kinder every day. Share this list and start the year filled with kindness!