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Life

World Kindness Day should be Every Day

Kara Dobulis
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at C Mich chapter.

My friends always tell me that I am too nice.  They say it’s the reason people walk all over me and why I don’t handle conflict well.  But is there really such thing as being too nice?

This past Tuesday was World Kindness Day and it really got me thinking.  Sure, I might be a nice person but I really can’t tell you the last time I’ve gone out of my way to do something nice for someone.  I don’t call my parents nearly as much as I should. I don’t tell my sister how she’s my biggest role model or tell my friends they are my shining stars.  I know I can do better.

This might be the most zen article I’ve ever wrote, but sometimes we need a little reminder to be kind to one another (and ourselves!) every day.  Here are 10 ideas how integrate simple acts of kindness into your everyday life.

 

Clear your head of negative thoughts.

Try yoga, meditation, or running!  Releasing those endorphins will do wonders.  

 

Be patient with others.

It’s easier said than done.  Just remember we’re all human and we all make mistakes.

 

There’s no such thing as overusing “I love you.”

If you feel it then say it.

 

Check up on the friends who check up on you. Check up on the friends who don’t.

Even the strong ones need a chance to be weak.

 

Buy a stranger a coffee.

Sometimes this is hard to do being broke college kids.  If you’re poor like me, then at least throw a dollar or two in the tip jar– they’ll appreciate it more than you know.

 

Take time out of your busy schedule to go home and visit your family.

It’ll brighten their day.

 

Smile at strangers!

It can be as simple as that. The best part is when they look confused and when they smile back.  If you’re really feeling crazy, you might even want to try saying hi!

 

Compliment a coworker.

You’d be surprised how a simple compliment about his/her outfit could make his/her day!

 

Put your judgments and differences aside.

You never know what someone’s going through until you walk a mile in their shoes.  Another cliche:  If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

 

Love yourself!

You need to love yourself before you can successfully express it to others.

 

Hi there! My name is Kara and I am originally from Freeland, Michigan, a tiny town in the Mid-Michigan area. I am a junior here at Central Michigan University and I am pursuing a degree in Advertising and Multi-Media Design. I have a passion for art, fashion, and music so I hope to one day work in one of these industries. My dream is to live in Chicago or New York! On campus, I am involved with the Honors Program, Advertising Student Development Forum (ASDF), the Beta Phi chapter of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, and am now serving as the co-correspondent and editor-in-chief of the C-Mich chapter of Her Campus. I am excited to take on this role and be working with our team throughout this journey! I absolutely love Her Campus and everything that it stands for. It is not only important to empower women, but important to empower people of all sexualities, genders, races, religious beliefs, etc. A fun fact about me is that I love to roller blade and I spent over a month in Thailand this past summer!