At a time when the world constantly seems to be in distress, we could all use a little more love, including our planet. But when life gets busy, it can be overwhelming to want to make a difference and not know how to do that! Here are five simple things you can do this week.
Donate
I find it really difficult to declutter, so I have to regularly remind myself to get rid of things I no longer need. Old sweaters and sweatpants, skates you have outgrown, extra mittens and hats you no longer wear—these are all things that a lot of people will need as the weather gets colder! Books are also a really awesome thing to donate—people of all ages love a good book.
Food insecurity is also a huge issue for many people during this time of year; donating canned goods and non-perishable items to your nearest food bank makes a huge difference. Consider going around to collect non-perishable goods this Halloween!
And if you’re stuck on what to donate, and can afford it, any amount of money goes a long way.
Stop Littering, Recycle, and Pick Up Trash When You Can
Do your part by recycling. I’m not saying to go on a neighbourhood clean-up (although, if that’s your thing, go for it!) but if you see a beer can on somebody’s sidewalk and you have time, why not pick it up and toss it into the nearest trash can. While one can, may not make the biggest difference, maybe somebody will see you and think twice about how they recycle.
Check Up On Friends
As mentioned earlier, life gets busy and can consume us all in a variety of ways. Check up on your friends—they don’t need to be on the verge of a mental breakdown! Send them a text, a funny meme, and/or grab coffee together! It’s always nice to catch up with friends and lets them know how much you appreciate them.
Be A Mindful Consumer
This doesn’t mean go vegan or stop buying stuff that you like, because everybody has a different lifestyle and it’s important to do what makes you happy! But, try to support local businesses whenever you can, try out organic and/or ethically-made products, go to farmer’s markets, go thrifting, do clothes swaps with friends… the list goes on! The more we reuse and the more ethical purchases we make, the better.
Random Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness do not need to be elaborate or pre-planned. Simple acts can go a long way—I challenge you to do one nice thing for a stranger. Whether that be opening the door for them, paying for somebody’s coffee, volunteering… think of something kind to do. As corny as it is, even a smile can go a long way for a lot of people. Somebody could be having the worst day ever, and to some, a smile is a silent way of telling somebody that there’s good in the world. Forewarning: you may not get a smile back, and that’s okay.
Any way to help people and the planet is amazing—acts of kindness don’t need to be measured; the fact that they exist is amazing and there could never be an abundance of it. Be kind—the more love and kindness we put out into the world, the better.
Feature Photo by Katy Belcher on Unsplash
