Make a routine of asking around your circle of friends and family for what they need. Before long, helping others will simply be second nature to you!
Don’t just look for ways to help the people you know. You could also hold the elevator door for a neighbor or offer to take a photo for a group of tourists if they’re struggling with a selfie stick.
Try not to sound condescending when you offer to teach someone—keep your tone casual and friendly, and say that you’d love to show them the ropes. Get creative and use the internet to teach people too! For example, you could make a YouTube video about tie-dyeing shirts or post your special apple pie recipe on social media.
For example, it might help a grieving friend if you bring them dinner a few nights each week or do something fun with them to get their mind off of the situation. When you talk, say comforting things like, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I want you to know that I’m here for you,” or “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you while you deal with this?”
When someone is venting, they need a listener who won’t judge them. Stay open-minded and think about how they must feel; judgment will make them feel like they can’t trust you. Don’t interrupt or spend the time that they’re talking thinking about your response. When you’re a listener, giving the other person your full attention is important.
For example, you could tell your sibling how great they are at basketball or compliment a co-worker on a job well done after they do a presentation. Compliment your significant other if you have one. Be earnest and remind them how smart, gorgeous, and talented they are. Give compliments to strangers, too. You can make someone’s day just by stopping long enough to tell them how awesome their Star Wars shirt is or how much you love their blue-dyed hair.
This could be anything from cleaning up after dinner to mowing a lawn. You might surprise a family member and wash their car or make your spouse’s lunch for them before work.
Write a nice email or letter and casually mention a reason why you like the recipient. Reminisce about something fun you did together, or bring up one of their best qualities. Include some of the recipient’s favorite snacks or home-baked goods in a care package, combined with little things that they might enjoy. For example, you might send a new sketch pad if they’re artistic.
For example, send someone a quick “thank you” note if they give you a gift, or thank your friend for buying you dinner. Make a social media post about how much you appreciate your spouse’s support as you change careers, or tell a friend how proud you are that they ran a whole marathon. Be especially nice to underappreciated people—like the person bagging your groceries or bussing your table at a restaurant. Their jobs are often thankless, but a few kind words might lift their spirits.
Work at a battered women’s shelter and help women and children who have had traumatizing experiences get back on their feet. Try tutoring homeless children at the local shelter so that they can stay in school and not fall behind because the economy has been difficult for their families. Volunteer for hospice and listen to the stories of the people who are going through their final days, or volunteer at a nursing home and ask to spend time with the people who don’t get visits from family.
Donate foods like unopened spices, canned soups, or beans. Give toys to the local shelters and food banks. Many of the children who take refuge there don’t have any toys of their own. It’s okay if you don’t have money to spare! Don’t strain yourself when there are other ways to help people. Instead, look through your unused items and set aside anything in decent condition that you can give away.
You could even set up a fund that they can donate to. For instance, you might create a fund to help low-income children go to college.
For example, you could offer to buy a homeless person a meal or a snack, depending on how much money you can afford to spend. [13] X Research source You might spot someone looking for their lost phone or keys and offer to help them search. It’s important to ask first because some people might not always need or want help from a stranger. If they say “no,” don’t keep insisting. It’s the thought that counts, and there will be other opportunities to help people.
For example, give a big smile when you see your friends and tell them how great it is to see them. Smile at your next rideshare driver and thoughtfully ask them how their day has been going. Make a point to be the kindest to negative people. Often, the ones who need help most aren’t always easy to be around—but by showing them kindness, you can change their perspective and lighten their mood.
