5 Simple Kindness Challenges for Your Week

5 Simple Kindness Challenges to Brighten Someone’s Day (and Yours)

Last week in my Friday Faves email, I did something a little different…

Instead of sharing products, I shared 5 Kindness Challenges—simple, doable ideas to help us be more intentional about loving the people around us.

I loved them so much (and heard from several of you who did, too!) that I wanted to give these challenges a permanent home here on the blog. That way, you can come back to them anytime, share them with a friend, or use them as a little “kindness reset” when the world feels a bit heavy.

You don’t need a ton of time or money for any of these. Just a willing heart and a few extra minutes. ❤️

Pick one, pick all five, or spread them out over the next few weeks—whatever works for you.

Friday Fave Kindness Challenge #1: Leave an Encouraging Note on a Stranger’s Windshield

This one might stretch you a little—but it’s so fun.

Your challenge:
Leave a kind, encouraging note on a stranger’s windshield.

It can be short and simple, something like:

“You matter. I’m cheering you on today.”

I will often pray and ask the Lord to give me wisdom about which car to bless with a note. ❤️ Sometimes I never know the story on the other side of that note—but He does.

Friday Fave Kindness Challenge #2: Text Someone You Haven’t Talked to in a While

We all have that friend or family member we’ve been “meaning to” reach out to.

Your challenge:
Send a text to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.

A few ideas of what you could say:

• “Hey, you popped into my mind—wanted to tell you I was thinking about you. Hope you are well.”
• Or recall a funny or sweet memory you had with them, like:

“Remember when I fainted on the blacktop at the Old Beach Farmer's Market a few minutes after inhaling a HUGE pint of ice cream at 9 am?!”

That last one is #TRUESTORY. 🤣 Apparently eating a huge amount of sugar (which is rare for me) on an empty stomach is not a great idea while shopping on the blacktop area of the farmers market… on a VERY hot summer day. Ask me how I know. ❤️

The point is: reconnect. Remind someone they still matter to you.

Friday Fave Kindness Challenge #3: Pay for the Person Behind You

This one is simple, quiet generosity—and it goes a long way.

Your challenge:
Pay for the person behind you in line.

It could be:

• Their coffee
• Their toll
• Their drive-thru food order

Whatever it is, just quietly pick up the tab and move on with your day. No fanfare. No need for them to even know who you are.

Quiet generosity plants seeds you may never see grow—but they grow nonetheless.

Friday Fave Kindness Challenge #4: Bring in Your Neighbor’s Trash Can

This is such a small gesture, but it speaks loudly.

Your challenge:
Bring in your neighbor’s trash can.

That’s it. It takes five seconds and a few extra steps.

Surprise them with kindness. Roll that can back up to the house and let it be a simple, quiet gesture that says, “Hey, you’re seen. You’re not alone.” ❤️

Friday Fave Kindness Challenge #5: Give a Sincere Compliment to a Stranger

This one might be my favorite because I do it all the time.

Your challenge:
Give a sincere compliment to a stranger—and mean it.

A few tips:

• Make good eye contact.
• Keep it to one simple line.
• Only say what you truly mean.

You might say:

• “Wow, that’s a great color on you!”
• “I really love your hair.”

If you’ve ever been with me in person, you know—I seek out people I can compliment. But honestly, how many times do we whisper to a friend, “Gosh, I love that girl’s shirt,” and never actually tell her?

I encourage you to bless people with compliments more often. You will be amazed at how much it fills them up—and honestly, how much it fills you up too. ❤️

Your Invitation: Pick One and Try It This Week

You don’t have to do all five. This isn’t a checklist; it’s an invitation.

• Pick one challenge that feels doable.
• Or screenshot the list and work through them over the next few weeks.
• Or share this post with a friend or your family and pick one to do together.

And if you landed here because you clicked over from my Friday Faves email—hi friend. 👋 I’d love to know which challenge you try.

Leave a comment or hit reply to my email and tell me what happened. Your stories encourage me more than you know.

Live Life, Love Well. ❤️
Dana