A Small Rebellion In an Unkind World

The world feels pretty heavy right now. From the atrocities humans are committing against each other, to worsening mega-storms threatening livelihoods, to politicians pitting people against each other for profit and power—it's overwhelming, to say the least. Every time I glance at the news, I see division everywhere—us vs. them, P. Diddy and company’s abominations coming to light, this country vs. that, men vs. women, right vs. left. The insanity of conspiracy theories. The uncomfortable truths that feel like conspiracies themselves. And through it all, a handful of people profit from the suffering of millions. To say it feels overwhelming is an understatement.

I wrote about my mental hygiene practice in a previous article, and if you’re struggling with media consumption and want ways to ease your anxiety, I recommend giving it a read. Yet, even without diving deep into the news, I remain aware of what’s happening in the world. Living in a small Greek village doesn’t shield me from it. It feels like everyone is operating at a heightened stress level, like a blanket of tension has settled over the world. It can feel bleak, even hopeless.

But while we are small as individuals, we can still make an impact. We can’t control everything, but we can control our actions. I may not be able to change the world overnight, but I can choose to be radically kind. I can make my little corner of the world a kinder, happier, more loving place. I can extend kindness to animals and people. Offer a smile, a compliment, or a helping hand. Too often, we fall into an all-or-nothing mentality—either we sit on the sidelines feeling apathetic, or we drown in someone else’s pain. Neither approach helps. If we’re not taking care of ourselves, how can we care for our families, neighbors, and communities?

What We Can Do

1. Acknowledge Reality

   • I start by acknowledging the suffering. Being aware of it, being conscious of it, understanding that in many cases it’s not as clear-cut as it seems and solutions are often interwoven with even more issues. My mind wants to slap a quick fix on everything at once, but humans are complex and all of these traumas are well beyond my control. But I can acknowledge them. I can hold a quiet space for those suffering.

2. Protect My Peace

   • In the face of constant negativity, it’s essential to protect your mental health. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Kindness to yourself is just as important as kindness to others. Set boundaries, take breaks from the news, and engage in activities that bring you joy and calm. Exercise, self-care, kind acts to others or going for a walk can reset your mindset, making you more resilient and able to spread positivity to others.

3. Do Kind Things

   • I am in charge of my behavior and my responses. That’s pretty much it in life. My tiny rebellion in a world of hurt is to be kind. I am kind to animals. I am friendly to people. I compliment strangers. I help people carry things. I offer assistance. I smile - sometimes that alone is enough to make a little improvement in someone’s day. I do small, consistent acts of kindness on a daily basis. Will it change everything? Surely not, but it will change things in my tiny sphere and it may impact those near me, maybe they too will be a little kinder in turn. These small acts don’t cost a thing, but they remind others—and yourself—that decency still exists, even when the world feels harsh.

4. Practice Empathy

   • In a world divided, empathy is a radical act. Everyone is carrying their own burdens, even if we can’t always see them. That doesn’t mean we excuse bad behavior, but by meeting others with empathy instead of anger, we soften the conversation and open the door for kindness to step in.

5. Don’t Instinctively Choose Between Two Poor Options

   • Take politics, for example—both major parties in the U.S. have become more about serving corporations than people. Yet, many feel compelled to pick a side, A or B. Remember, you are in charge of your own thoughts. Who, if anyone, is truly serving the public? Who profits from division? Time spent working on local solutions is often more impactful than arguing along party lines.

6. Be Mindful of What You Share

   • The internet can be a cesspool these days - it’s already easy enough to engage in toxic behavior online for some folks and current events have only exacerbated it. Make sure you are consuming and sharing good news too. Leave positive comments. Share uplifting stories. Avoid engaging in heated, pointless debates. Instead of contributing to the noise, add something meaningful—something that might help others feel a little less alone, a little less anxious.

7. Be Kind to Yourself

   • It’s ok to feel exhausted or drained. It is completely okay. Go slower with your tasks. Be gentler to yourself. Make a little room inside to rest. Take care of your body, your home, your family, your friends - and know that you might need more time or ease to operate in the world right now. There’s only so much energy in you and these times can tax you without your permission.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

For those of you who follow my personal Instagram, you know I take care of a lot of stray cats in our village. We don’t have regular veterinary services here, and there’s no official spay and neuter program—so there are many cats and dogs in need of food, water, and care. For a long time, I’ve been spending my time and money helping them out of the goodness of my heart. Recently, I raised some money (thank you!!!) for more food and medicine. The couple that owns the pet food shop always tucks in a freebie—wet food or treats—a small gesture of kindness. They, too, care for a host of animals at their home and understand that it can feel like a drop in the ocean when trying to help. We always reassure each other, “We do the best we can.”

The other day, I went out to feed the cats and found that someone had come by and left big piles of dry food, stretching from my house all the way down the street. It warmed my heart to no end! None of us have to do this, but it matters. It doesn’t solve global conflicts or stop horrendous hurricanes, but it keeps a little more luster in the world—a tiny sparkle, a small glimmer.

You never know how far an act of kindness can go. The person you help today might be inspired to help someone else tomorrow. Kindness creates connection in a disconnected world. It brings hope when things feel bleak. Kindness is a powerful act of resistance against the negativity around us, and it’s something we can all contribute to. When you choose kindness, you choose to make the world a little bit better—and that’s no small thing to do with your time.

Let me know what you’re working on and how I can help!

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