Small Acts of Kindness That Changed My Day

Some days begin in a rush. You know the kind—running late, phone at 3%, wondering why your keys have suddenly chosen a career in hide-and-seek. On those days, it’s easy to feel as though life is happening to us rather than with us.

But something I’ve learnt, especially through We for You, is how tiny, almost forgettable moments of kindness can completely shift the rhythm of a day. And the funny thing is, they’re rarely dramatic. They’re usually simple, quiet, and easy to miss unless you’re paying attention.

While practising gratitude is something that is often spoken of, sometimes, it’s just hard to practice it in the hustle bustle of life and so I decided to share some very personal anecdotes that might help you reflect back on your own life (hopefully). If you’re reading this on a hard day, I hope it reminds you that kindness is still very much alive, and you’re part of it.

A few months ago, I was juggling far too many things at once—voice notes flying in on WhatsApp, emails piling up, and a to-do list that looked like it had grown new branches overnight. I stepped out to grab a quick coffee, already mentally exhausted before the day had properly begun.

A lady with a pram walking past me having ordered her own cuppa decided to offer me a sweet smile that trigger my mirror neurons to respond with a smile back.

That tiny gesture did something to me. It was the fact that someone took a moment to see me and to offer comfort in the simplest smallest way.
I walked out feeling lighter, and the weight on my chest softened just a little.

Sometimes kindness looks like checking in on someone without a reason—just following that tiny nudge in your chest that says, “Message them.” And sometimes, it’s in the form of a stranger who holds the door for you

One day, juggling bags, a laptop, and what felt like twenty other things, I approached a building entrance already bracing for the awkward dance of trying to open the door with two fingers.

Before I reached it, a teenager—maybe 15 or 16—ran ahead and held it open for me, nonchalantly and like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It reminded me how powerful it is when young people choose kindness intentionally. You never know who’s quietly struggling.

Another instance is one that still warms my heart when I think of it.

I was on the train, lost in thought, when I noticed a little girl staring at the Studio Ghibli tote bag I was carrying. After a few minutes, she whispered to her mum, loud enough for me to hear:

“I want a bag like that. It looks happy.”

Her mum laughed, and I ended up giving the girl a small sticker from my bag—a tiny gesture, but her face lit up as if I’d handed her the moon.

It reminded me that kindness doesn’t always flow towards us. Sometimes we get to be the giver. Sometimes we are someone else’s moment.

These acts were small—almost ridiculously small.
But they carried impact. For young people especially—those navigating friendships, identity, pressure, exams, expectations—small kindnesses are often what keep us going. They remind us that:
• We’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
• People notice.
• Tiny gestures can rewrite the script of a whole day.

Kindness is powerful because it’s possible for everyone. You don’t need money, status, or the perfect words. You just need a moment.

Your Turn: Try One Today

You never know whose day you could shift with something as simple as:
• A sincere compliment
• A message saying, “I’m thinking of you”
• A smile at someone who looks tired
• Offering help without being asked
• Sharing a snack
• Holding the lift (or the door!)

These micro-moments might not feel significant, but they land where they’re needed most.

And if your own day needs a lift, look for the small things. They’re always around—you just need to catch them.

by Aisha Hakeem

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