Do you use a daily planner or calendar to stay organized? What if you used your calendar to spread kindness? Research suggests that kindness is contagious; one small act of kindness motivates others to “pay it forward.” What’s more, kind acts may boost your mood or even alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself; self-compassion has both emotional and physical health benefits.
Kindness calendars are a great resource for making a difference in someone’s life while helping you to feel happier. They can be used at home, in the workplace to boost morale, or, if you’re a mental health clinician, with clients who struggle with low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety.
Here are a few sample tips from three different kindness calendars:
- Find a new way to use one of your strengths or talents. (Action for Happiness)
- Write a letter of gratitude to someone. (Greater Good)
- Put a $10 or $20 bill in a book with a note that says, “Great choice! This book is on me!” (Random Acts of Kindness Foundation)
DIY Kindness Calendars
You can create your own kindness calendar by printing off a template and filling in your own unique ideas. (Tip: Canva offers a wide selection of free customizable templates for monthly calendars.)
You may also use a blank calendar to track your acts of kindness or self-care practices. Other options for reminding yourself to be kind include keeping a kindness to-do list (either on a pad of paper or as a memo in your phone) or carrying pocket affirmations with you to share with others.
Below is a free printable kindness to-do list:
3 Free Kindness Calendars
The following sites offer free monthly kindness calendars with daily tips for happiness, self-care, and compassion:
Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness’ mission is to help people create a happier world, with a culture that prioritizes happiness and kindness. Their patron is the Dalai Lama, a testament to their commitment to promoting kindness on a global scale.
Action for Happiness posts monthly themed calendars that provide a variety of activities and tips for happiness. (For example, the September 2023 theme was “Self-Care September” with tips like “Let go of other people’s expectations of you,” and the August 2023 theme was “Altruistic August” with tips like “Forgive someone who hurt you in the past.”)
In addition to kindness calendars, the organization offers podcasts, videos, and articles on topics such as happiness, kindness, and self-care.
Below is the October 2023 calendar:
Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life
The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) of the University of California at Berkeley is a leading research and education center dedicated to the study of wellbeing. The GGSC’s mission is to promote a kinder and more compassionate world.
Each month, GGSC posts a happiness calendar, which you can download and print or subscribe to. They also publish special versions (e.g., for educators or for parents) periodically. The happiness calendars are themed and include tips and activities that can help you practice gratitude, savor positive experiences, and connect with others. For example, the September 2023 theme was “be vulnerable and true to yourself” and included tips like “Have a conversation with your family about race,” and the August 2023 theme was “relax and recharge” and included tips like “Practice mindful movement.”
GGSC provides a wealth of resources, including the online Greater Good magazine, which offers articles, videos, quizzes, and podcasts on the science of living a meaningful life. Additionally, GGSC offers free online happiness courses.
Below is the October 2023 calendar:
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a small nonprofit rooted in the belief that all people can connect through kindness and that kindness can be taught. They work within the framework of Inspire, Empower, Act, Reflect, and Share.
Each year, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation publishes a “Make Kindness the Norm” calendar with daily tips like “Make the switch to cruelty-free products” (September 2023) and “Refrain from complaining today” (August 2023). They also offer a free Kindness at Work Calendar with monthly themes such as humor, connection, and purpose, as well as a Kindness Calendar for Schools.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers additional resources for kindness in the classroom, in the workplace, and at home, including quote collections, free printables, classroom lessons, articles, and more.
Below is the October 2023 calendar:
Conclusion
To conclude, kindness is meant to be spread, and there are many ways to accomplish this. Whether you opt to create your own kindness calendar or print off a readymade version, kindness calendars are a great way to incorporate kindness into your daily life and to feel happier.
I encourage you to choose a kindness calendar that speaks to you and commit to using it. I also challenge you to get creative with your acts of kindness; the possibilities are endless!
Even the smallest acts of compassion can have a big impact and make a difference in the world. Together, we can make the world a kinder place.
I encourage you to share your acts of kindness or a resource for happiness or self-care in the comments below!