Accessible Ways to Spread Kindness (Even on Low Spoon Days)

World Kindness Day reminds us that small gestures can create big changes in the world. But for many of us who struggle with disability and low spoon days, it can feel overwhelming and out of reach, but it is still possible. This post explores accessible ways to spread kindness to ourselves, the people around us and the world at large.

Kindness starts with you

Yesterday was a difficult day for me, I woke up feeling heavy and tired, but I got stubborn! I managed to help my mom out of bed, but my pain and fatigue were making me feel sick and I needed to have a shower and record a video for my YouTube channel.

My husband and mom quickly realised, and though I protested I was taken back to bed to watch Greys Anatomy and doze. This was the best decision, I couldn’t have recorded and even after resting enough to get up and into my PJs, I knew I needed to wait.

Today I feel so much better, but if I had remained stubborn and tried to push through, I would feel even worse and things could escalate fast. Showing myself enough kindness to rest was so important, yes, I love making videos and writing these blog posts, but my health comes first.

Self-kindness and self-care are not being selfish; it is about seeing it as a foundation to build on. More self-love, forgiving your limits, resting and speaking kindly to yourself are all ways to ensure you have more energy to do what you want to do.

Kindness in connection

But if you are anything like me, you don’t just want to be kind to yourself and so finding accessible ways to spread kindness is important to you. It can feel so hard though, when we are using all our energy just to survive and get through the day. However, there are so many ways we can sprinkle kindness around us so that others can feel it too.

The easiest way for me is sending posts to people, if I see a YouTube video or social media post, I know a friend will like I send it to them. What is great about this is it lets them know you are thinking about them, but also that it requires no energy when all I am able to do is look through my social media feeds.

Another idea is to send voice notes to friends when you are not well enough to type, or just a short kind message. This can also be spread to creators that you enjoy, sharing their posts, leaving a like and a short comment is such a big help, and lets them know you enjoy their content.

Kindness in the Everyday

Everyday kindness to the people who pass your way is something that can often be forgotten but can make the biggest difference. If you have things delivered to your home, smiling to the person bringing it and saying thank you or leaving a nice review can be an accessible way to spread kindness.

And even if the world doesn’t feel kind and compassionate, showing that when out and about along with patience and gratitude will spread. Another idea is how we treat and talk about our mobility aids, being warm and engaging if asked, are all ways to show that they are positive not negative.

I know so many people who would be safer and feel more confident if they used a walking stick, but they don’t feel like they can. My mom’s best friend is waiting for a hip replacement and struggles with dizzy spells. However, she won’t use a walking stick because she says it will make her look old, so I bought her a pretty walking stick.

The ways we treat carers, friends and family members, ripple out into their own lives and help to spread kindness throughout our communities.

Kindness through Creativity

Creativity is such a lovely way to spread kindness, and in doing so we also help our own mental health. Crafting, and using my art witchcraft practice, which you can see more of on YouTube, has made such a big difference to my life.

Making or writing something to leave out like a painted rock with a kind message left out in the world, or a picture posted on social media can affect people profoundly. These quiet acts of love and healing can do so much and are accessible ways to spread kindness.

I love making projects and sharing them online, like affirmation cards, making a card for a friend, or creating a charm bag for myself. They use my energy, but in a way that I know ripple out among the online space, and our community as a whole. These ways of helping ourselves while reaching out help us to feel less alone and more connected which is so important.

Kindness to the Planet & Beyond

Now, this feels like it is not an accessible way to spread kindness, but I think we can all find small but impactful ways to do this. Seeing the Earth as part of our community is taking the next step, and something that has become important to me as a disabled witch.

I do my best to reuse and fix things rather than just rebuy new, I also love to find things by thrifting and buying from charity shops. By turning from the overconsumption in the West and taking our own things, we no longer need to charity shops or selling them online, we can show Mother Earth kindness.

Connecting our values and beliefs to the planet we live on and starting to turn off taps and lights. Small actions that put less stress onto the Earth and its resources, and then spreading those beliefs to those around us, does make a big difference.

It’s important to remember that kindness isn’t measured by how much we do, it isn’t a competition and it isn’t about boasting or being seen. It’s about finding one or two accessible ways to spread kindness this week and sprinkling kindness throughout your everyday life. You are already spreading kindness by being kinder to yourself, so let me know in the comments if this post has inspired you to be more zealous with your kindness.

Spoons and sparkles xx

If you enjoyed this, you might also like my post on Spreading kindness like glitter.

If my words or videos have brought a little cosiness to your day, you can support me on Ko-fi with a tip or join my Patreon for just £2 a month. Your kindness helps me keep creating both here and on YouTube.