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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.

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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
3 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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3 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.

#12

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Nerd ER Depot
Community Member
3 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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#13

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Owen
Community Member
3 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
3 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.

#17

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

I am recently widowed and it is incredible how soul crushingly lonely you can get. This is a great idea.

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

Please also note that the cashier is sitting, because she lives in a civilized country that doesn't torture workers by forcing them to stand at their register for hours on end. It's pointless and cruel. Normalize allowing cashiers to sit.

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

The Dutch are amazing. When a person dies and has nobody that will attend their funeral, the Dutch government pays to people to go to the funeral and say something nice.

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

I worked through my college years as a grocery store cashier. Alway had a fondness for old folks and loved to chat with people as they came through my line. Developed quite a few friendships with customers. Sometimes my line was so much longer that the manager had to come out and move people to other, shorter lines. That's how much people appreciated a little friendly human interaction.

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

Yes! I worked at a grocery store for two and a half years during the pandemic. I was in the vitamins/supplements department, so you can imagine I had a lot of elderly, lonely customers. I loved to stop and have a natter with them (it made MY day, too!) But my nasty department manager would get pissed at me for taking "too long" to talk to an individual customer, because I was missing out on pushing sales onto OTHER customers when I was talking to an older person who just wanted a bit of conversation. (She was an atrocious manager AND person.) I was "let go" when the store did massive layoffs, but I heard from friends who still worked there that a lot of my "regulars" would come in and ask for me. I don't think most people realize just how many other humans have NO ONE, no friends or family, and appreciate the hell out of a little conversation.

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Verena
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The coffee corners do exist in several chains since ages. The "slow checkout" was a test, it was stopped in shops where people weren't interested. (I live in NL)

Isa
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking that I never saw the slow checkout as a jumbo client. The chat corners still exist ( I hope) at hogvliet. Even the AH XL don't have them, or even the coffe machine anymore.

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BarfyCat
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both ideas would also be great for people new to the country trying to learn Dutch!

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

Every store should have a "checkout for the chatters". It not only provides a service for those who really do need the socialization. But keeps the other ones moving for people who don't have time to wait for the chatters. You never know if you might be holding up someone who has an illness or disability that often have short windows for shopping time, or a parent picking up medicine that they need to get home to a sick child.

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

Is it just for the elderly? Can lonely adults use it too? No? I'll just see myself to corner and rot until I'm elderly then.

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

If you live in the US, volunteer for a political campaign that you believe in. You will meet lots of people.

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

The Dutch really do have their social care sorted, I love this idea.

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

Here we have the chat corner and Tuesdays have special prices and taste samples for pensioners. I've met pensioners that eat a whole lunch while tasting things in the store, and in these times they need it since they struggle to afford food.

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

The Dutch have a wonderful attitude about the elderly. They also have little villages for people with dementia to live in. Services are readily available when needed and everyone helps people live as much of an ordinary life as they can despite their illness. This is compassion for others in action!

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

What else encourages exchanges is the fact that cashiers are sitting down, not standing up like in North America

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

Great idea! I wish supermarkets had a lane for older folks who are not used to using debit/credit cards to pay. Our so-called "express lane" gets backed up because the clerk won't help someone who doesn't understand the system.

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

Instead of self checkout, you go to in person lane, then the in-store Starbucks in USA

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

This is SO GOOD for the health of these people! Think of how many people stay in bad relationships so they aren't lonely.....it's awful.

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

When others are short with me for chatting with them in line.. they don't realize they're probably the only person I've spoken to in days 😞

EmAdoresHerKats🇮🇪🇩🇿🇵🇸
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any lonely person would appreciate this. The cashier has the best job. I love talking to older people, they're amazing.

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

Meanwhile, every American retailer and fast food restaurant is doing away with human cashiers altogether. It's dehumanizing, one taco at a time...

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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
3 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
3 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)
Community Member
3 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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3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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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#44

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Me
Community Member
3 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
3 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
3 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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Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.