5 Ways To Make 2019 A Kinder Year
While 2018 wasn’t truly awful, there were still a lot of negative things that happened, whether socially, politically, or environmentally. In aid of making 2019 just a little bit better, here are some ways to make it a kinder year.
#1 Be kinder to the environment
This is one of the easiest ones to do as there are so many ways to be more environmentally conscious. Try walking, or taking the bus instead of driving. Switch to more environmentally friendly items such as bamboo toothbrushes, reusable make-up pads, and metal straws (for a full list of products to switch to check out Meridyth’s article)! Introduce a meat or dairy free day once or twice a week, pick up litter if you see some, and be sure to recycle in your own household!
#2 Be kinder to your community
There are so many projects that help your local community that are always looking for help. Why not volunteer at a foodbank, or join a beach clean-up crew? There are so many groups and organisations who will be beyond grateful for any help you can offer, so why not donate your time? Or if you yourself can’t donate money to a worthy cause, you could always find out what you can do to fundraise for them!
#3 Be kinder to strangers
I know this sounds a bit odd, but I don’t mean that you’re to offer to help a complete stranger move house. A simple smile or a kind word goes a long way, nothing more extreme than that is needed. You never know what people are going through and just treating your local barista or neighbour with some friendliness could make the world of difference to them. Furthermore, I’m a firm believer that what goes around comes around – so if you’re nice to other people, they’ll surely be nice to you!
#4 Be kinder to your friends and family
Now, this one might seem like a given, but it’s so easy not to do something just because you don’t feel like it, even if it could help someone you love. I get it, sometimes you don’t feel like ringing your friend and listening to them complain, or help your family member get over yet another broken heart. But sometimes you have to put aside what you want to do and help the other person. Offer to help your friends with their tricky tasks and call your grandma when your mum tells you to, bring your friend a coffee when they aren’t expecting it: it’s a simple way to lead a kinder and happier life!
#5 Be kinder to yourself
This is probably the most important point on this list and, admittedly, the one I still struggle the most with. But if there’s only one piece of advice on this list that you follow, let it be this: self-hatred won’t get you anywhere – trust me, I know. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, trust a little more in the kindness and sincerity of the people around you, and give yourself a break! Treat yourself to a bath, or a facemask, or night in with your favourite food every now and then (read Eszter’s article for more self-care tips). You need to give yourself a break every now and then. So make 2019 the year you’re not so hard on yourself, take care of yourself a little more, and know that you’ve got this!
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