Photo by Courtney Hedger on Unsplash

Show appreciation for those around you this month in a unique way- without breaking the bank! 

This month, Safe Harbor International Ministries is celebrating women, and everything women do for us. We all likely have women in our lives that we want to show appreciation for. Rather than buying an expensive gift, there are so many other ways that people can show appreciation for others that are completely free! One of these ways is to do a “Random Act of Kindness” for someone you know well (even if they aren’t a woman!), or a stranger! 

What is a random act of kindness? 

 A Random Act of Kindness is an action that involves doing something kind for someone else for no particular reason. This is a wonderful way to express appreciation for anyone in your life. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that acts of kindness, even very small ones, can increase the mood of the recipient of the kind act, as well as the person performing the act. So if you want to provide a mood boost for the people around you as well as yourself, try doing a Random Acts of Kindness today!

Photo by Nicole Wilcox on Unsplash

Showing Appreciation For People You Know

There are likely many people in your life that you want to show appreciation for: friends, family, partners, and co-workers. Here are some ideas for Random Acts of Kindness you can do to show your appreciation for your loved ones. 

Help Someone With a Household Task

So many people nowadays are very busy. A wonderful way to show your appreciation for them is to offer to help them with household tasks. You could babysit a girlfriend’s child for free for an afternoon, offer to run an errand for your wife, or help your mom with housework or yard work. Whatever someone needs, offer a helping hand, and be sure to let the person know how much you appreciate them! 

Plan a Fun No-Spend Hangout Session

One of the easiest ways to show appreciation for someone you know well is to spend some quality time with them. Take it upon yourself to plan an afternoon or evening of fun activities for you and the person you want to show appreciation for. Some great no-spend activities include going on a hike or for a walk, or going to a free event in your town. You can also stay in and watch movies or do puzzles, or just chat over a home-cooked meal or snack. You’ll have plenty of time to express your gratitude this way, and you’ll create memories that are sure to last.

Leave Kind Comments on Your Friend’s Social Media Posts

Many women often feel vulnerable when they post photos on social media. One way to show appreciation for someone is to boost their confidence with a kind comment on their posts on social media!

Give Out Lots of Compliments

Has someone ever given you a compliment that has just made your day? Well, what if you could do that for someone else? Tell your friend you like the way she handled a tough situation, tell your favorite teacher that she makes a difference in your day, or tell your coworker that she did a great job on a project. They’re sure to appreciate it, and it may even make their day!

Leave a Note for Someone

This is a great idea if the person you want to show appreciation for is someone you live with or someone you see often. Show your appreciation for someone by writing them a note, and slipping the note into their purse or leaving it on their desk. You could also write your note on a sticky note and leave it on a mirror for someone to see! This is a great way to bring a smile to someone’s face. 

Give Out “You Matter” Cards 

Remind people that they are important, that they matter, and that they’re appreciated. You can get free “You Matter” cards to pass out to people so they can keep a visual reminder for themselves when they need it! These cards can be passed out to people directly, or you can leave them for your loved ones to find. 

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Sign Someone Up For The Love Project

A wonderful way to show appreciation for someone is by signing them up for a quilt from The Love Project! The Love Project is a program run by Safe Harbor International Ministries that gives away free quilts. If you think someone in your life deserves a little extra shout out, sign them up!

Showing Appreciation For Strangers

Random Acts of Kindness aren’t just for your loved ones! You can show your appreciation and bring a smile to a stranger’s face too! Every Random Act of Kindness makes the world a better place.  

Volunteer Your Time

So many different organizations in every community depend heavily on volunteers to operate properly. Senior living centers, women’s shelters, and food banks are just a few types of organizations that heavily utilize volunteers. Choose an organization in your area that you support and offer your time! Even if it’s just an hour, it will not go unnoticed. Safe Harbor International Ministries is an organization for which you can volunteer your time in many different ways.

Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash

Donate Your Stuff

Many people have donated their old clothes to charities at some point in their lives. Did you know you can donate lots of other things?  There are organizations where you can donate household belongings like furniture and appliances. Libraries often take donations of books, and there are even places you can donate old cars! If you want to donate your belongings, do some research to see which places in your area will take your donations. Women’s centers are often great for this sort of thing, as these centers don’t always get as many donations as regular thrift stores. If you want to take an extra step, you can even donate your hair to charity! Wigs For Kids is a great national organization if you want to donate hair. Just be sure to check and make sure that your hair and salon meet their requirements!

No matter what you choose to donate, know that your belongings will have new life in the person who gets to use them after you! Additionally, donating can make you feel good! You’ll be happy knowing that you’re helping others.

Leave a Good Review

If you had a particularly good experience at a restaurant or somewhere else, leave a five-star review on Yelp, or another reviewing website! Be sure to give specifics, and explain your good experience in the comment section. A good review can go so far as to enhance someone’s career!

Print Extra Coupons

Who doesn’t love a bargain? Next time you bring in coupons that you printed off from the internet, print a couple of extras, and hand them out to other people in the store so that they can get a good deal! Another option is to leave the coupons out for people to find and use, if you would prefer to not walk up to strangers in the store. People are sure to appreciate the gesture. 

Show Appreciation For Yourself

Appreciating yourself is just as important as appreciating others. Don’t forget to treat yourself too! Random Acts of Kindness for yourself are a great form of self-love Practice gratitude, watch your favorite show, or take a walk.

Conclusion

It’s incredibly important to show appreciation for the people around you, and for yourself, too. Sometimes, though, showing appreciation for someone can be pricey! That’s why choosing to do a free Random Act of Kindness for a loved one, a stranger, or for yourself can be the way to go. This week, I challenge you to try doing one Random Act of Kindness to show appreciation for someone else, and one Random Act of Kindness to show appreciation for yourself. Remember to love your neighbor as yourself! 

Written by Jackie Ebel, a blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, check out our blog page: https://safeharborim.com/articles/.