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We often hear that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference, but it’s when we witness these moments in real life that we truly understand their impact.

Thankfully for us, Instagram communities like kindakindco bring these heartwarming stories to light. Today, we’ve gathered some of their most uplifting posts, along with a few others from around the internet, that are sure to renew your faith in humanity. Keep scrolling, Pandas, and don’t forget to upvote your favorite ones.

Kindness is a language that all of us understand, irrespective of our age, race, ethnicity, religion, status, and identity. It’s a simple act that can bring comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to others, regardless of their background or circumstances. What makes kindness even more powerful is that it’s completely free—yet its impact can be immeasurable.

With over 200k followers, the kindakindco Instagram community shows us how a small, nice gesture of kindness can brighten someone’s day and foster positive relationships. In a world where we often focus on what divides us, such posts are a reminder of our shared humanity.

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Above all, we need to practice self-compassion. This means you shouldn’t be too harsh on yourself. During difficult times, you should treat yourself with the same understanding and care that you would offer to a friend. Also, if you make a mistake or face a setback, try to avoid self-criticism. Instead, try to acknowledge your feelings and remind yourself that we struggle sometimes.

Prioritizing your well-being is an essential form of kindness. You should try to make time for activities that you enjoy. It could be anything from taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or enjoying a long bath.

#8

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Sergy Yeltsen
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not understand why people denigrate those who work in these sorts of jobs. They are vital. If your boss is gone for 3 weeks, you probably won't miss them. If the cleaner is gone for a day, oh yeah, you miss them. The smile on his face is wonderful.

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Multa Nocte
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, I may have to read the rest of these later as my eyes keep getting leaky.

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Research shows that helping others and being nice in general can actually make us happier. A study found that people who did kind things for others every day for a week felt a noticeable increase in their happiness. This is true irrespective of whether you are kind to friends, family, strangers, or even yourself. Interestingly, just watching others being kind can also have a positive impact on your emotions.

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Nerd ER Depot
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bikes really do bring joy to young kids. They also promote physical activity! I run a nonprofit called We Bike WV and we give free bikes to kids in need. We are fairly new, but have given away over 1000 bikes so far and have hopefully helped change some lives for the better

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Imagine you're out buying groceries for a party, but you are in a really bad mood. While standing in the checkout line, you notice an elderly person struggling to lift their bags. You decide to help them, and they have a big smile on their face. Their reaction instantly lifts your mood. These simple gestures can have a big impact on our well-being.

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Owen
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The internet can be a force for good. It gets too much negative press.

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Geekymummy
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love complimenting other women. I also try to do it in front of my daughters so they can see that women should be each other's support not competition.

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This is because kindness triggers the release of "feel-good" hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which boost our mood and create a sense of satisfaction and well-being. These hormones light up the brain's pleasure and reward centers, not just for the person receiving the kindness but also for the one giving it.

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But not every kind deed is made equal. Lara Aknin, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, believes, “Giving directly to a person or proxy—for instance, donating face-to-face to a charity rather than contributing online or taking a friend out to dinner rather than sending them a meal—offers an opportunity for social connectedness that’s particularly beneficial.”

“When people give in ways that are more socially connected or relational, that seems to better unlock these emotional rewards,” she added.

When you have a face-to-face connection, it enhances the emotional rewards of kindness, making both the giver and receiver feel more deeply valued and connected. Such meaningful interactions are usually more fulfilling than anonymous acts.

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If these posts have inspired you, you can also start incorporating small acts of kindness into your daily life. For instance, you can start with something as basic as checking up on your neighbor. Or you can mentor the kids in your community or volunteer at any shelter near you.

#25

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JoNo
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband turns on the electric blanket on my side of the bed for me. Not quite the same level of commitment than this gentleman but I appreciate it very much.

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At work, you can try striking up small conversations with your colleagues—ask them how their day is going or share a bit about what you're working on. Joining them for lunch is another great way to connect. When you're out and about, being thoughtful of others, like giving space to cyclists or letting drivers merge, can make a big difference in creating a more considerate environment.

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Being generous can create a ripple effect and inspire others to do the same. These posts are a fantastic reminder of how impactful small acts of kindness can be. When was the last time you did something nice? How did it make you feel?

#29

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Auntriarch
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My best friend has just started treatment, I was already growing my hair for Little Princess Trust, but it turns out it would take too long to get the wig made from my hair, so we're going out to buy her one next week.

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Fat Harry (Oi / You)
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I presume by "vet" they mean "veteran"? In the UK "vet" is usually short for "veterinarian".

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les
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when they make the film about morgan freemans life, who will be the narator?

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Fat Harry (Oi / You)
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true! If I lift my hands in the air and say "WALKIES!" they start jumping up and down, but if I lift my hands in the air and say *anything* they start jumping up and down. They don't know what's going on, they're just excited. And on that note, I think I need to go hug them.

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Passerby
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this is true, because I can still remember a stranger teaching me to float in the sea when I was a child. She was a mom teaching her child, but I just happened to be there, so she taught me too. It was nothing grand, but I still remember it fondly.

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Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful boss that she let them all go together, knowing that she would have a hard day without them.

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Me
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids got their big beds yesterday and it hurt a little realizing that I will not sit in front of their baby beds, holding their hands and trying not to hurt my back while falling asleep in a completely weird position.

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Fat Harry (Oi / You)
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is brilliant because I know that if I attempted it it would go completely awry!

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Alice Landers
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sweet ! Where I live a knitting shop gives yarn to people to make these type hats . This fundraiser they call "chemo caps".People make them and they are donated back for cancer patients.

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My childhood dog was absolutely my best friend through my entire childhood XD There's not many photos of me WITHOUT Split in them as well. I remember when I found out that I was adopted (I was 7 and had gone snooping in my parents' rolltop desk and had found some papers and a photo) my mom was sobbing, trying to explain what "being adopted" meant and how it didn't mean I wasn't a real family member. I remember sitting there, unperturbed, and said suddenly, "So, I'm adopted, like how we adopted Split?" My mother didn't really want to equate out my adoption to adopting a pet, but she said yes, basically the same concept. I said "Neat!" and was perfectly happy, because Split was totally a family member to me and absolutely was my big sis XD

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Alex Luiz
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This comment reminds me of how I felt about our dogs when I was a kid- I saw them as other 'people' in the family,not pets, until... well, quite late really. Like, I assumed they had complex thoughts and opinions but they just didn't express them verbally.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they do. They DO have thoughts and opinions, they just can't speak XD There was a recent study where MRIs/CAT scans were done on dogs' brains and it was shown that us speaking to them activates the same areas of the brain that receiving a treat does. And studies have shown that they "understand" us when we talk to them - not literally, as they do not speak English/human language, but they can pick up on a LOT more of our emotions/intentions than we ever thought they did. So we're encouraged to speak to our pets normally/conversationally, heck, even tell them about your day and how you feel. They pick up on it. And they absolutely DO have complex thoughts, complex feelings, and definite opinions. I have two cats and guarantee they're FILLED with opinions XD And my older dog (German Shepherd x Kuchi Dog mix) is half livestock guardian dog and he is SMART. He is intelligent enough to know what I want him to do and stubborn enough to defy me when he knows he can get away with it. XD

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Fat Harry (Oi / You)
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that's the thing about dogs - they're more than just pets, they're very much part of the family.

Saphyre Fyre
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just dogs. I have 4 cats...a furdaughter, her actual son my furgrandson, and 2 other males unrelated, my fursons.

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TribbleThinking
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every now and again, I am thrilled and humbled and howling with laughter by a new point of view. If we ever meet, Little One, you have an auntie tribble who owes you an ice cream sundae at Fortnums.

Cindi Antrobus
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my daughter was little we were out to lunch with some coworkers of mine and they asked her if she had any siblings and she said yes. We got a crazy look like why aren't they here too. I looked at her and asked her who she thought her siblings were and she said Buddy and Leia. She was referring to our cat and dog as we had said they were her furry siblings as a joke.

Lee
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hhaha that's good!!, maybe not, I like if the little girl was at a state of equality, or didn't perceive the ""pet" as a lower being

Lady Lestrange
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She just forgot the fact that the dog is a pet and rather considered it as a member.

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Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.