What's the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Take a moment and really think about it.

Was it a grand gesture that changed everything, or something small? An encouraging word. A warm smile. A cup of tea placed in your hand when you needed it most.

Usually, it's these quiet, thoughtful moments that stay with us. Especially when we're grieving or struggling emotionally, kindness becomes the thread that helps us hold everything together.

World Kindness Day, marked on 13th November each year, isn't just about random acts of kindness. It's about recognising that kindness, towards ourselves and others, has the power to heal, to connect, and sometimes, to save lives.

Why Kindness Matters More Than We Realise

When we've lost someone, especially to something as painful as suicide, the world can feel unbearably harsh.

I know this personally. I've experienced multiple bereavements, including losing my youngest sister to suicide. It left a wound in my life that words often fail to describe.

In those early days of shock and heartbreak, I wasn't looking for solutions. I wasn't waiting for someone to fix it all. What I craved most was kindness. Someone to listen without judgement. Someone to remind me gently that I wasn't alone.

That's the thing about kindness. It doesn't remove pain, but it makes pain more bearable. It doesn't erase loss, but it makes the journey through it less isolating.

And sometimes, kindness extended to someone struggling in silence can be the very thing that prevents another life from being lost to despair.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:
Samaritans: 116 123 (UK, free 24/7)
Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258

The Link Between Kindness, Resilience, and Suicide Prevention

Suicide often grows in the shadows of silence, shame, and hopelessness. When people feel unseen, unheard, or like a burden to others, the darkness deepens.

Kindness interrupts that silence.

A kind question like "How are you, really?" can open the door for someone to share what they've been holding in.

A kind action, checking in, sending a message, offering a listening ear, can remind them that they matter.

A kind word like "You're not alone in this" can help restore hope.

For those of us left behind after loss, kindness plays a different but vital role. It helps us build resilience. It reminds us that life, though forever changed, can still hold moments of connection, compassion, and meaning.

Research shows that social connection is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide. A simple act of kindness can literally save a life.

Self-Kindness: The Piece We Often Forget

It's easy to talk about being kind to others, but what about being kind to ourselves?

So many professionals I work with, entrepreneurs, business owners, caring professionals, are brilliant at giving kindness to everyone else. But when it comes to themselves, they're harsh critics. They expect themselves to "just get over it" or "be strong."

The truth is this. Resilience isn't built by pushing feelings down or pretending to be okay. It's built by treating ourselves with the same compassion we'd give to a friend.

That might mean:

• Allowing yourself rest when you feel drained

• Seeking support when you feel overwhelmed

• Speaking to yourself with gentleness rather than judgement

• Setting boundaries that protect your energy

This kind of self-kindness isn't selfish. It's essential. Without it, we risk burning out, isolating ourselves further, or carrying unresolved grief that quietly eats away at our energy and joy.

How to Practise Everyday Kindness

On this World Kindness Day, here are some simple, practical ways to bring more kindness into your life, towards others and towards yourself.

For Others:

1. Listen without fixing. When someone shares their struggles, resist the urge to jump straight to solutions. I am definitely guilty of this. Sometimes, being heard is the greatest kindness of all.

2. Check in regularly. A short message like "Thinking of you today" can mean more than you know. Especially for someone grieving or quietly struggling.

3. Notice the invisible battles. That colleague who looks "fine" may be carrying heavy grief. A kind word, even to those who don't "look like they need it," makes a difference.

4. Say something kind aloud. We often think kind thoughts about people but never say them. Today, tell someone what you appreciate about them.

For Yourself:

1. Take breaks without guilt. Rest isn't laziness. It's how we recharge.

2. Write down three things you're grateful for. It's simple, but it works. This small practice builds resilience over time.

3. Move your body gently. A walk, some stretches, dancing in your kitchen. Movement helps grief and stress move through us.

4. Ask for help when you need it. Reaching out isn't weakness. It's wisdom.

A Gentle Invitation

If you're reading this and thinking, "I could do with a little kindness myself," you're not alone.

Many people, especially caring professionals, are carrying more than they realise. Sometimes the exhaustion, loss of motivation, or difficulty focusing isn't about laziness. It's about grief or wellbeing gaps quietly draining your energy.

That's why I created two free quizzes:

Hidden Wellbeing Gaps Quiz – to uncover the areas of your life that could be quietly draining your joy and resilience.

Grief Assessment Quiz – to help you recognise whether unresolved grief might be holding you back.

They're free, confidential, and only take a few minutes. Many people tell me the results gave them clarity they'd been searching for for years.

👉 Take your free quiz here: https://handling-grief.com/quiz

Final Thought

World Kindness Day is a reminder that while we can't take away each other's pain, we can lighten the load.

A kind act might not change the world, but it could change someone's world.

And if you're navigating grief or emotional challenges yourself, remember this. You are worthy of the same kindness you so freely give to others.

So today, be kind to others. And just as importantly, be kind to yourself.

💬 Which act of kindness has stayed with you the most?

I'd love to hear your story. Share it with me in the comments or message me directly.

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