We all know that kindness is more than being nice or doing something thoughtful. But in this uncertain time, when routines are disrupted, we’re separated from many of the people and places we love, and new fears and challenges arise each day, kindness means more — and looks different — than ever before.
Right now, kindness looks like …
Empathy. Just for a moment, look beyond how this crisis is affecting you, even if it’s hitting you in very deep, hard and scary ways. How is it reaching others, and how might their circumstances be informing their reactions? How could you approach them with care and understanding?
Patience. This is hard! Everything about our current situation is weird and uncertain. So be patient. With yourself. With your partner. With your kids. With your neighbors. With your loved ones as you’re in contact with them. Every one of us is trying to get up to speed on this new, ever-changing scenario, and we all have our own learning curve.
Grace. I don’t know about you, but I am messing up, big time, every single day. Being home together, trying to work, attempting to teach my kids, worrying about money, trying to keep everyone physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally healthy — I am finding new ways every day to fail on all of these fronts. But you know what? That’s okay. We all are. But we are trying, and maybe tomorrow will be a little easier.
Happiness. What makes you feel good? Answer that question and then do more of it! Okay, so no, you can’t jet off to Hawaii anytime soon, but you can read a book. Or take a walk. Or take a bath. Or call a friend. Or listen to music. Or organize a drawer if that brings you joy. Just cram as much happy, fun, soul-soothing, smile-inducing good stuff as possible into your day.
Disconnecting. When’s the last time you were alone? If can’t remember, give yourself a time out. Go wherever you can to let yourself power down, so you can come back with a little more charge. Similarly, if you’re feeling drained from talking with certain people, watching the news or scrolling social media, take a break. Protect your battery!
Reconnecting. An upside to this strange time is how we’re connecting in new and different ways. Slower — and much more — time with our immediate family. FaceTime playdates. Text chains and virtual happy hours with friends. If you’ve been missing someone, there’s no better time than now to check in.
Gratitude. Even when so much is going wrong, there is so much good. Look for it. Find it. Call it out. You may be surprised that it’s the simplest of things that feels amazing right now. And you will certainly be inspired by the people stepping up to serve in new and brave ways.
Hope. We will come out of this. Different, changed and possibly broken. But this situation will not be forever, and every day is a chance to start again. Hang on to hope and help others remember it, too.
Katie Vaughn is the editor and co-founder of Northerly. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stanford University-trained journalist with experience as a writer, reporter, editor, blogger and author. She lives in Madison with her husband, daughter and son, and her family is always up for an adventure.