Covid-19 has challenged our generation in ways we have never imagined. While some people still have to go to work, most of us are helping contain the virus by staying at home and practicing social distancing. Being in quarantine doesn’t mean we should stop spreading random acts of kindness though! If anything, it’s when we need it the most.
We thought of simple random acts of kindness you can do for your family, friends, and community during this time of quarantine:
1. Thank those who are still working that you know or encounter day to day
Whether it’s a doctor, a delivery staff, the cashier at the grocery, or the customer representative on the phone, smile and thank them! We need to let them know that we are thankful that they’re working in the frontlines so we can have a more comfortable quarantine life.
2. Catch up with friends and family
Everyone’s anxious during this time, so a simple call or text to make sure your family or friend is doing well can make a big difference. Your extroverted friends are probably suffering from all the isolation so make sure to check up on them!
3. Support your local restaurants buy buying a gift card for later use
Local restaurants and shops have taken the brunt of the recent shutdowns in local communities. Buying a gift card from them and encouraging friends to do so as well will go a long way.
It might seem small, but if more people do it, your favorite restaurant might just stay afloat and survive this pandemic. If you also opt for delivery or take-out, choose the local places and not the chain restaurants.
4. Rate your favorite local shops or restaurants on Yelp and other rating sites
This is a very simple random act of kindness you can do that won’t cost you a dime, but can help struggling local businesses in the long run.
5. Foster a pet if you can
Animal shelters need help in fostering pets as they were also affected by the closing of “non-essential” establishments. Fostering a pet doesn’t only help the pet, it has benefits for you, too, especially during this time of isolation and social distancing.
6. Secretly leave a treat or note offering help in your neighbor’s mailbox
It can be as simple as baked goods or a hand sanitizer, your neighbor will appreciate the surprise. You can also leave a note in your neighbor’s mailboxes offering help such as getting the groceries on behalf of an elderly neighbor or a time to chat if they need anyone to talk to.
Just don’t forget to make sure your hands are clean before you leave anything in their mailbox!
Which among these simple random acts of kindness will you do to RAK this Covid-19 quarantine away? And how are you staying sane while in quarantine? Let us know in the comments!
We at RAK Experience believe there are so many effortless random acts of kindness you can do everyday for anyone. But since March 8th is International Women’s Day, we should go out of our way to show random acts of kindness to the women in our lives that we love and inspire us the most!
Doing random acts of kindness on this day will become extra special for your favorite ladies because they don’t really expect much on March 8th (except in certain European countries where it’s a big deal!). So why not step up your International Women’s Day greetings and do any of these three ways that you can RAK your favorite ladies on this special day.
1. Celebrate this day like how our friends in the Czech Republic typically do: surprise your favorite ladies with a flower or a box of chocolates (or both!)
As we have mentioned earlier, certain European countries celebrate March 8th at a different level than we do here in the US. In the Czech Republic, it’s almost like Valentine’s Day! Men give flowers to their mom, sisters, friends, and colleagues. Many companies have something special for female employees. In Berlin, they have recently announced March 8th as a public holiday!
Since it’s not as widely celebrated in the US, the flowers won’t be as expensive as on Valentine’s Day. Here’s a great tutorial on how to wrap flowers individually without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a box for your homemade chocolates, why not try our RAK favor box?
2. Mail them a card and write why they’re one of your favorite ladies in the world
People typically expect to get cards on Christmas, birthday, or mo thers’ day, but International Women’s Day? Nah-uh. No one really expects it, unless, again, you’re from Europe!
Make this random act of kindness extra special by writing what makes the recipient inspiring. Maybe even tell them why for you, they’re better than Frida Kahlo, braver than Rosa Parks, or funnier than Ellen Degeneres. Think long and hard why you value their presence in your life and write it down.
Too busy to go to the post office? It’s 2020 and now you can send stamped mail without getting out of your chair! We like using Postable to send printed cards with “handwritten” messages. You can customize their cards and use your own pictures or just choose from their huge library of designs. Postable’s cards are recycled so you’re also doing an act of kindness for the earth!
3. Think of their “quotable quote” and share it on social media
When you spend so much time with someone, you can’t help but notice certain recurring statements from your close friends and family. It doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful. It can be something as silly as:
“‘I don’t know’ is not an answer!”
-Mom
You can even quickly design it on Canva to make it look like it’s an actual inspirational quote before posting and tagging her on social media.
There’s a lot more random acts of kindness you can do on March 8th, but however you decide to celebrate your favorite ladies in the world, make sure to take a photo/video and tag us!written” messages. You can customize their cards and use your own pictures or just choose from their huge library of designs. Postable’s cards are recycled so you’re also doing an act of kindness for the earth!
Now in its third run, “California’s favorite winter film festival” is held in Mammoth Lakes, California. To say the least, we’re incredibly pumped to celebrate and see the brilliant work of filmmakers, producers, actors, and writers (and everyone who worked behind the scenes). We also can’t wait to participate in random acts of kindness and we hope you are, too! Here are the top five simple random acts of kindness you can do to make someone’s MFF experience RAK even more:
1. Buy someone coffee. And make it a Black Velvet Coffee while you’re at it!
“Brrr. It’s cold in here,” is what you’ll probably say while in Mammoth Lakes. What better way to start your and someone’s day than with a steaming cup of coffee. Black Velvet Coffee has an espresso bar that we love! As long as you’re not dairy free make sure you try a raw milk latte. It’s RAK-a-licious! And if you’re looking to unwind after a day of movie screenings and wandering about Mammoth, they also offer a wide selection of craft beer and wine. You can find them here.
2. Surprise someone with a gift from the Mammoth Fun Shop. They carry an array of fun stuff--from bath bomb cakes to the world’s smallest jigsaw puzzle--that you can buy. Know someone with a sweet tooth? Everyday is a sundae fun day at this local shop as they also offer delectable old-fashioned ice cream served in home-made cones. The ice cream comes with free toppings, too! Get directions here.
3. Treat someone to a hot bowl of ramen at Ramenya. Film Festivals are about the films, but they are mostly about the relationships you make while you’re there. Invite some of the filmmakers you meet to join you for dinner. We highly recommend Mammoth Lakes’ sole noodle house. Their shoyu ramen and kimchi is perfect on a cold night! If you’re up for it, their sake is also a must-try. The owners and staff are warm and friendly, too! Visit them here.
4. Get your furry friend treats and toys from Tailwaggers Pet Store and Bakery. The random acts of kindness you can do extends to pets, too! Whether it’s your own pet or your friend’s, they will surely wag their tail when they see you with any of the selections of pet food, baked goods, treats, and toys that Tailwaggers carry. RAK yourself right now by checking out cute photos of Tailwaggers doggos here (warning: cuteness overload). They are located here.
5. Cheer someone up with chocolate from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. From the Tailwaggers Pet Store, you can walk to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and grab chocolates for old and new friends you’ll meet at the Mammoth Film Festival. As an adage goes, a chocolate a day keeps the blues away. Visit their Mammoth Lakes shop here.
Among the five random acts of kindness you can do, which one are you looking forward to doing? Or are you doing all of them?! Either way, tag us when you RAK someone at the Mammoth Film Festival!
Kindness doesn’t mean having to make huge sacrifices like what Mother Theresa did. Smiling at a stranger, giving compliments to the cashier, or holding the door for a colleague. Doing these simple random acts of kindness can significantly make someone’s day brighter. Being kind can be easy. In fact, it can be so so easy we came up with 100 simple acts of kindness that you can effortlessly do for your friends, family, or a random stranger. They’re so easy you’ll probably want to do five of them in a day!
1. Give someone a hug.
2. Donate books to an orphanage.
3. Smile and thank your server.
4. Buy a friend or a colleague coffee.
5. Compliment a stranger.
6. Spend time with a friend or family member.
7. Hold the door open for someone.
8. Get in touch with an old friend or relative.
9. Write or send a thank-you note to someone.
10. Offer to help someone.
11. Do something kind for yourself.
12. Smile at everybody. It's contagious.
13. Spread the word about a charity doing great work.
14. Thank someone who has gone out of their way for you.
15. Send an encouraging text or email to a friend.
16. Let someone know that you appreciate their work.
17. Sponsor someone or share a fundraising page.
18. Pick litter up off the street.
19. Bring treats to work or school.
20. Give someone an inspiring book you think they'd like.
21. Let an influencer know they have made a difference.
22. Write a letter and mail it out to someone you love.
23. Go the day without complaining.
24. Forgive someone who wronged you in the past.
25. Make dinner for a family in need.
26. Use a travel mug and reusable tumbler instead of a disposable one.
27. Surprise someone with a thoughtful gift.
28. Avoid gossip.
29. Do something you love for 30 minutes.
30. Apologize to someone you did wrong in the past.
31. Send a postcard to a friend.
32. Buy groceries for the person next to you in line.
33. Ride your bike or walk to work.
34. Volunteer for a charitable cause.
35. Recycle things that you see in your home.
36. Take time to listen to someone.
37. Offer to give a friend a ride home.
38. Lend a friend your favorite book.
39. Pay someone's bus or train fare.
40. Give your seat up on a bus to another person.
41. Offer the spot ahead of you while waiting in line.
42. Buy flowers to hand out on the street.
43. Leave letters of encouragement on people's cars.
44. Participate in a fundraiser or charity.
45. Donate old clothes to a charity.
46. Help someone put groceries in their car.
47. Plant a tree.
48. Do someone a favor without asking for anything in return.
49. Help a child or an older person cross the street.
50. Run an errand for someone.
51. Tell a boss about a good employer.
52. Pay for someone's meal at a restaurant.
53. Mail someone a random gift.
54. Share your umbrella with someone.
55. Offer to take someone’s photo for them.
56. Donate towels or blankets to the animal shelter.
57. Bring someone a souvenir from your trip.
58. Take a new acquaintance to lunch.
59. Send a random thank you email to someone you admire.
60. Put your phone away when you're with family and friends.
61. Make someone laugh.
62. Adopt an animal.
63. Return a stray grocery cart.
64. Encourage a friend when they try something hard.
65. Sit with someone at lunch who’s all alone.
66. Join town clean-up day.
67. Turn in a lost item you found.
68. Cheer up a friend who is sad.
69. Decorate crafts for a nursing home or retirement home.
70. Donate food to a food drive.
71. Leave a nice note on a colleague’s desk.
72. Share your lunch with a stranger.
73. Leave money in a vending machine.
74. Give someone homeless a blanket or a coat.
75. Bring flowers to nursing or retirement homes.
76. Write kind words on rocks and leave them at the park.
77. Keep bags filled with snacks and sample-size toiletries to give to the homeless.
78. Take time to write a great online review for a restaurant you love.
79. Talk to a person sitting on their own at a party.
80. Organize a donation drive for coloring books, toys and art supplies for a children's hospital.
81. Write a thank-you note to a former teacher who made a difference in your life.
82. Pay the toll for the car behind you.
83. Keep bottled water in your car and hand it out on a hot day.
84. Leave a great tip for a waiter/waitress who did a fantastic job.
85. Offer your handyman/service repair person a snack or beverage.
86. Volunteer to do a family member's laundry.
87. Get someone to go on a spontaneous adventure with you.
88. Give someone a list of things you love about them.
89. Prepare and organize a party in a retirement home.
90. Treat someone to a movie.
91. Prepare breakfast in bed for your family.
92. Say thank you to your building’s janitor.
93. Be courteous and kind to customer care representatives.
94. Learn to say "hello" in a variety of languages.
95. Teach a random act of kindness to kids.
96. Help a driver in need fix a flat tire or whatever kind of help they need.
97. Hide a happy note for someone to find.
98. Support a small independent business.
99. Tell your parents how much you love them.
100. Share this with someone kind.
Which simple act of kindness will you do today? Or if you already did one of them, how did the recipient of your kindness react? Let us know in the comments or tag us on our socials using the hashtag #RandomActofKindness !
It's Fall! For many of us #RAKStars, fall is a magical time full of leaves and presents and holidays and family. But some people, don't have an easy time with the changing of the seasons. Some people may suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or maybe they just don't have family close and so aren't looking forward to the holiday season. Whatever the reason, it's always a perfect time to RAK!
Random Acts of Kindness (we call them RAK's around here) are small acts that you can do to spread cheer and happiness. It's been scientifically proven that one Random Act of Kindness can spread cheer exponentially. So we encourage you to pick a RAK from the list below and do at least one a week through December. You'll be surprised how much this will lift your spirits and those of your friends, neighbors, and hopefully a few strangers too!
This one is good for early fall. Do you have a neighbor who works all the time? Or maybe there's an older neighbor who has a hard time doing their yard work themself. Go introduce yourself and let them know you would like to rake their yard. It's a #RakeRAK
Call three friends and ask everyone to look in their cupboards. We guarantee between the four of you, you can find 10 to 20 cans of perfectly good food that you aren't using. Make sure the cans of food aren't past their expiration date. Gather your "food drive" items and donate to a local shelter. You can find a local food pantry by visiting FeedingAmerica.org. This is a national website that will help you find a food pantry near you that accepts canned food donations.
BONUS: You and your friends can sign up to volunteer for a shift to help the shelter out.
You know that park or stretch of road you like to walk, it's a beautiful space but trash tends to accumulate in public spaces. Grab a pair of gloves and a trash bag and go for a walk in your favorite public space. Did you know there's actually a name for this? It's called Plogging! And apparently it's good for your glutes!
Isn't it fun to get a real letter in the mail! One that's not a bill or a piece of junk mail? Grab a piece of paper and a pen and take 10 minutes to write a letter to a friend. They don't have to live far away. You can even send a letter to a friend that lives down the block. This will cost one stamp which is currently 55¢. You can check current postal rates on USPS.com
This is similar to writing a letter to a friend but it's an anonymous happy note. You can cut a piece of paper up into small 4 x 4 blocks. We like to use a piece of brightly colored paper but even lined notepaper will work. Carry these small pieces of paper around with you and whenever you see someone who looks like they need a RAK you can write a short note and leave it for them. Sometimes we like to leave notes on parked cars too. Here are some potential RAK Notes phrases to get you started...
We all love our Grandma's (and Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandpa's, etc) but we don't always talk to them enough. Especially if we don't happen to live in the same city. Pick up the phone and call that family member you haven't seen or talked to in over a month.
You know how you end up stalking people on social media? You don't know this person at all or maybe they are a friend of a friend but you love their life and all their posts. Yeah, that person. Write a genuine compliment to them on their next Insta Post, Facebook Post, Tweet, whatever. Sometimes it's as simple as letting them know that you love their content. Ex. Your pictures make me so happy! Thank you for always brightening my day.
Go through your library at home and Marie Kondo your books. Take every book that doesn't "spark joy" and donate it to your local library. You can also add these to your local Little Free Library if there's one in your neighborhood.
BONUS RAK: If you don't have a Little Free Library close to you, build one!
We all have that friend. The one who is doing amazing things with their life. They are an artist, or a community advocate, or they are raising three amazing kids! Whatever your friend is doing we have found that those amazing friends often don't think that what they are doing is all that amazing. Reach out to your friend and tell them how amazing you think they are. You can do this in a social post, on the phone, or even reach out to your local news station to share their story. Often recognition for a job well done can be one of the best RAK's of all.
This is the easiest RAK of all! And brings immediate happiness to you and all around you. Smile as you walk down the street. Smile at strangers, at the barista when you're picking up your coffee. Smile at a baby and the cute puppy walking down the street. Sometimes we even catch ourselves smiling at the trees! A smile is much more powerful than you think. Did you know that a smile can actually "trick your brain into happiness?" It's true! You can read up on the science here.
Whatever Random Act of Kindness you decide to do this fall, we hope you have a great time with it! RAK's brighten our days and we want them to brighten yours too.
Have you been RAK'd or have a great story of RAK'ing someone else? Share your story with us and we'll add it to RAK wall. You can submit your story here.
