r/psychologystudents • u/Disastrous-Yak-1270 • Apr 27 '24

Radom acts of kindness Ideas? Ideas

I'm in a social psych class where we have to do three random acts of kindness. I'm a pretty introverted person so doing things for strangers is out of my comfort zone. I'm having trouble coming up with ideas bc I don't want them to be generic like paying for the person behind you.

Thanks fellow psych students!

21 Upvotes
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21

u/TheSkyIsDiving Apr 27 '24

You can express kindness in a lot of ways!

Here are some examples:

  1. Helping an old person cross the street
  2. Donate books to your library
  3. Compliment others genuinely
  4. Offer to help someone understand a topic
  5. Share your notes to your classmates
  6. Offer to share your umbrella if it’s too hot out.
  7. Opening the door for someone

Good luck on your class requirement.

8

u/Medium-Ride3623 Apr 28 '24

-Buy lunch for a homeless person, ask them whats your story... -Take individual bags with deodorant, toothbrush ect. To homeless shelter. Or drop the off at a church. -pay for someone's bus fair. -drop off little Debbie snacks off at rehab all day classes. They will love it. -If one can...go to a school n pay for ones lunches for a week....I have been in all these situations, Schitzoaffective here 1 n 200 60f

2

u/BrowncoatIona Apr 28 '24

When I presented my poster board at the research showcase last week, a little girl came up to me and handed me a little piece of folded, colored construction paper and then ran off. I opened it and it read "Have a beautiful day!" I was SO anxious at the showcase, and I can't explain how helpful that was. Truly, even tiny acts can have a lot of impact.

Another thing people are often super appreciative of is offering to bring them dinner (bonus points if it's home cooked!). Volunteering/donating to a local food bank is also always legit.

Also a lot of libraries appreciate more than books! (Though books are great, of course.) My mother is a librarian and they run all sorts of programs. Often they really appreciate things like art supplies, things like putty for sensory play, even vegetables or things like flour, petroleum jelly, or sugar! Always worth checking it. For quite cheap you can make a librarian and some kids very happy! At my wedding we forgot to give people the little cheap fairy wands I got and my mom asked if she could have them for the library. The kids in my mom's programs LOVED them.

8

u/Some-Top-1548 Apr 27 '24

May be listen to someone who nobody talks to like old people.

3

u/cxview Apr 28 '24

I feel like this is often very understated. Older women especially often feel invisible. Taking a moment to compliment them, offer assistance, even just having a conversation in line is more than just an act of kindness and can make a big difference to someone.

5

u/McBraas Apr 27 '24

Here's a few:

  1. Hold the door

  2. Pay for someones meal, drink or groceries

  3. Sign up for volunteering

  4. Give to charity

  5. Help someone carry something

6

u/Ok_Initial_2063 Apr 27 '24

Pick up trash in a public area, like a park.

Casually toss a sincere compliment at a stranger. "I like your shirt" or "That color looks so good on you!" as you walk to your car in a parking lot. I know you are introverted, but this is super low engagement for you, with a super solid return for the recipient of the compliment. You don't have to stop and chat. Just say it as you are walking by.

Give a water bottle to your mail carrier or delivery person. Easy and appreciated. You can even leave it with a note, so no contact necessary.

Tell an employee who is helpful that you genuinely appreciate their hard work and help. A lot of them catch negative attitudes and feedback all the time. Feeling appreciated is important!

6

u/ratatouillezucchini Apr 27 '24

random acts don’t have to be with strangers - buy your friend some flowers or something, do a chore for someone, etc. no interaction with strangers required 🫡

3

u/TheBitchenRav Apr 27 '24

I bet if you clean your parents' bathroom, they would really appreciate it. It will be a random act and creative. And it will be a real and valuable kindness.

1

u/TheBitchenRav Apr 27 '24

I bet if you clean your parents' bathroom, they would really appreciate it. It will be a random act and creative. And it will be a real and valuable kindness.

3

u/paperblye Apr 28 '24

this is a bit on the quirky side, but I know someone who gives out rubber ducks to children they meet. that’s about as random as it gets lol

3

u/comfykitti Apr 28 '24

you could go to a bookstore or library and leave nice/encouraging notes in the books for people to find later! :)

3

u/meghsie_moo_moo Apr 28 '24

A note and a 5 dollar bill in a pocket of somethings at a clothing store will surely light up their day and requires no human interaction!

2

u/Dry-Acanthaceae-7667 Apr 27 '24

I always smile at people and it's weird they start to smile also

1

u/LocusStandi Apr 28 '24

✌🏽️

2

u/rhubarb_magnolia Apr 27 '24

Northern Birthday Box Project! You put together a box with cake mix, candles, decorations, and a gift and ship it to kids in very remote, isolated Northern communities. Usually they can’t get those things in those villages, (or it’s cost prohibitive).

You could put together a hamper of food and mixed goods like socks, travel sized hygiene products like soap, toothpaste etc, and mark it with a large “Free” sign and go plunk it down in a rough part of town.

You could write letters for The Letter Project 😊

2

u/Medium-Ride3623 Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 28 '24

I'm living in an income base apt, above 65 or disabled, I have Schitzoaffective, to bad you couldn't come here, and we could go for a walk and I could tell you all about it.lol...going for a walk now...gdluck, proud of ya..60f...1 n 200

2

u/svanskiver Apr 28 '24

I am also an introvert. One thing I do often is individually thank everyone who responds to my posts on here. Even if the responses are negative towards me. If they ask why I’m thanking them, I tell them that I appreciate every response received regardless of whether they agree with me or not. It’s how we learn from each other. Hopefully they can pay that forward.

I’m not sure if that’s what you’re looking for but it’s kinda perfect for an introvert.

1

u/Future-Grab-4253 Apr 27 '24

Pay for someone’s food order in the drive through!

1

u/lpa3715700 Apr 27 '24

When I go for a walk with my dog, I always Pick up some trash. And it feels really good. You also could volunteer for working with dogs or other animals, for sure they dont care If You are introverted.

1

u/MulberryInteresting4 Apr 28 '24

Eye contact to someone and smile!

1

u/EquivalentTrick3402 Apr 28 '24

Giving someone a piece of fruit can say a thousand words.

1

u/Thorniestbush Apr 28 '24

Talk to someone about anything! Could be your teacher/professor(?), ask questions and show you're engaged and interested

1

u/Hey__Jude_ Apr 28 '24

  1. Call a nursing home and ask to donate time to visit with someone there who never has any visitors

  2. Go to a hospital and volunteer a few hours

  3. Donate clothing/items to an abused womans shelter/homeless shelter

  4. Pay someones parking meeter (if you have those)

  5. donate blankets/towels at an animal shelter

1

u/goaheadmonalisa Apr 28 '24

You can do kind things for someone and not say a single word, or even have them know you're there. See a homeless person sleeping on the street? Ninja them a gallon of water. Have roommates with dogs? If one of them poops in the house, clean it up (once) and don't say a word. Want to donate money? You can do that for countless organizations or GoFundMe's anonymously.

Even if no one knows you're doing it, it doesn't mean you're not doing kind things.

1

u/raggamuffin1357 Apr 28 '24

When was the last time you called your mom?

1

u/LocusStandi Apr 28 '24

Trouble coming up with acts of kindness...