10 simple ways to be a kinder person in life, even if it isn’t in your nature

Have you ever noticed how a small act of kindness can brighten someone’s entire day?

It’s a powerful reminder that kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but its impact can be profound.

Yet, if kindness doesn’t come naturally to you, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on this simple way to enrich both your life and those around you.

The trick is understanding that kindness is a choice, not an inherent trait. It’s about deciding to engage in acts of compassion, even when it might be easier not to.

I’ve got 10 simple ways to help you become a kinder person in life, regardless of your nature. The ripple effect of these small gestures will transform your daily interactions and make a positive difference in others’ lives.

1) Practice active listening

Active listening is a cornerstone of kindness, yet it’s often overlooked.

In our busy lives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only superficially engaging in conversations.

We nod along, but our minds are somewhere else. Maybe we’re thinking about our to-do list or planning our responses instead of truly hearing what the other person is saying.

Active listening means focusing completely on the speaker. It involves not just hearing their words, but also understanding their emotions and perspectives.

By practicing active listening, you show the other person that their thoughts and feelings matter to you. This is one of the most powerful ways to show kindness because it validates the other person’s experience and makes them feel seen and heard.

2) Start small

Kindness doesn’t always have to be grand gestures. In fact, the smallest acts can often make the biggest difference.

I remember a time when I was having a tough day.

I was running late, my coffee had spilled all over my shirt, and everything seemed to be going wrong. It was one of those days where you just want to crawl back into bed and start over.

As I rushed into the office, one of my colleagues noticed my disheveled state and offered me a simple smile. She then went out of her way to make me a cup of coffee and left it on my desk with a note saying, “Hang in there!”

That small act of kindness completely turned my day around. It made me feel seen and reminded me that we’re all in this together.

So, never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. A smile, a kind word, or even just holding the door open for someone can make a world of difference – and can help you become a kinder person in life.

3) Volunteer your time

Volunteering is a powerful way to spread kindness.

When we give our time to help others, we not only make a difference in their lives, but we also become kinder and more empathetic individuals ourselves.

There’s a fascinating study that found people who volunteer their time are 42% more likely to say they’re very happy than those who don’t.

This suggests that volunteering doesn’t just benefit the people we’re helping, but it also has a positive impact on our own well-being.

So, whether it’s helping out at a local food bank, mentoring a young person, or spending time at an animal shelter, volunteering your time can be a meaningful way to cultivate kindness in your life.

4) Practice gratitude

Cultivating a sense of gratitude in your life can dramatically increase your capacity for kindness.

When we take the time to appreciate the good things in our lives, we naturally become more positive and compassionate. This positive outlook can then spill over into our interactions with others.

Try keeping a gratitude journal where you list three things you’re grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big things – even little joys like a good cup of coffee or a sunny day can be noted.

By focusing on the positives, you’ll find yourself naturally becoming more kind and appreciative towards others. Practicing gratitude is a simple, yet powerful way to become a kinder person in life.

5) Be patient with others

Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to kindness.

It’s easy to become frustrated with others, particularly when they don’t meet our expectations. But remember, everyone is fighting their own battles that you might not know about.

Being patient means giving people space to be human. It means understanding that mistakes happen and that everyone is doing their best based on their current circumstances and abilities.

Next time you find yourself getting frustrated, take a deep breath and remind yourself to be patient. It’s a simple way to show kindness and it can make a big difference in someone else’s day.

6) Show empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s the emotional bridge that connects us, reminding us that we’re not alone in our experiences.

In a world where everyone is going through their own struggles, a little empathy can go a long way. It’s:

• The comforting hand on the shoulder
• The understanding nod
• The genuine “I’m here for you” when someone is going through tough times

When we respond to others with empathy, we show them that their feelings are valid and that they are seen. And in doing so, we make both their world and ours a little kinder.

So, strive to be empathetic in your interactions with others.

It may not always be easy, but it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just humans trying to navigate this thing called life. And a little empathy can make that journey a whole lot easier for everyone involved.

7) Forgive and let go

Holding onto grudges or resentment only weighs us down. I learned this the hard way when a close friend betrayed my trust.

At first, I was hurt and angry, and I cut ties with them. But over time, I realized that holding onto that anger wasn’t helping me. It was like a heavy weight on my heart, holding me back from fully embracing happiness and peace.

So I chose to forgive. Not because they deserved it, but because I did. I deserved to let go of that pain and move forward.

And guess what?

It was one of the most liberating decisions I ever made.

Forgiveness isn’t about letting someone off the hook for their actions. It’s about freeing yourself from the burden of resentment. So, if there’s someone in your life you need to forgive, consider doing it for your own peace of mind.

In doing so, you’ll be taking a big step towards becoming a kinder person. Kindness is not just about how we treat others, it’s also about how we treat ourselves.

8) Say no when you need to

This might seem odd when we’re talking about kindness. After all, isn’t saying yes to helping others a kind act?

While that’s true, constantly agreeing to things at the expense of your own well-being isn’t kindness, it’s self-sacrifice.

True kindness involves respect – for others and for yourself. And sometimes, respecting yourself means acknowledging your limits and saying no when you need to.

By taking care of your own needs first, you ensure that you have the energy and capacity to be truly kind to others. 

9) Be kind to yourself

Here’s the thing—kindness starts with how you treat yourself. If you’re constantly criticizing and belittling yourself, it’s going to be hard to extend kindness to others.

Being kind to yourself means acknowledging your strengths and accepting your weaknesses. It means forgiving yourself for your mistakes and recognizing that you’re a work in progress, just like everyone else.

Try to treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you’d show a friend:

• Speak kindly to yourself
• Nurture your needs
• Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small

The relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for all the other relationships in your life. So if you want to be kinder to others, start by being kinder to yourself.

10) Make kindness a habit

Just like any skill, kindness can be developed with practice. It’s not a one-time act, but a habit that we cultivate over time.

The more you practice kindness, the more natural it becomes. Over time, you’ll find that it’s not just an act, but a way of life. And that’s when the real magic happens.

When kindness becomes a habit, it doesn’t just change you—it changes the world around you. And that is the true power of kindness!

The heart of the matter

Kindness benefits both the giver and the receiver. It creates a ripple effect that can touch countless lives, often in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.

And it doesn’t take much—just small, intentional acts that show compassion and care.

By practicing these ten simple habits, even if kindness doesn’t come naturally to you, you’ll start to see how easy it is to make the world a little brighter.