Week 1 #KindnessAdventCalendar Round-up

It's only a few days into the #KindnessAdventCalendar challenge - but am completely loving it already. It's so much fun!

Day 1: Share the Kindness Advent Calendar to encourage others to practice kindness this month
I sent it my family and friends on Whatsapp, tweeted it, blogged about it, posted on LinkedIn, and on my work's intranet. I've also stuck the calendar up in the kitchens at work and left out extra copies to encourage people to take a copy. I have no idea how many people will actually do it as a result, but I hope it'll add at least a few more to this lovely kindness movement!

Day 2: Surprise a friend with their favourite chocolate bar
I had spotted these cute 'Smiles' chocolates at the weekend and decided to get them for this kindness act:

I popped into the office a little earlier to be sure that my colleague and friend Vicky would not be in yet, so that I could leave it as a nice surprise for her to find :-)

Day 3: Buy a few extra items during your supermarket shop and donate to a local food bank
This is a funny one because at times when I've gone to a supermarket, I spot a food donation point on my way out and always think to myself "Ah, that's a nice idea, I should do that next time." But by the time I go into the supermarket again, I forget and then remember again on my way out when I spot the donation point. There should be signs near the entrance or something to remind shoppers as they begin their shop!

My local food bank is the Chichester District Foodbank. One of the donation points is in the Waitrose near my work and another is in a Co-op which is under 5 minutes from my house. I don't tend to do a 'weekly shop' per se (I don't drive so I tend to do an online shop once a month, then pick up little bits during the week), but needed to pick up some stuff on the Friday. So during my lunch, I popped to Waitrose and picked up a few bits that the foodbank currently lists as urgent items in need:

It sounds stupid, but afterwards, it made me realise how quick and simple this is to do - and is now something I want to consciously try and get into the habit of doing. Of course, I have to be practical about this because as much as I'd love to donate loads of items each time, I do need to make sure I stick within my own budget!

So I've made a vow to myself to donate at least one item each time I go to Waitrose and Co-op. The plan is working so far as I ended up popping to Co-op yesterday, remembered my vow and picked up a pack of sponge puddings to donate. Yes, I know it was only a day after I made the vow, so it's not like I could really forget straight away, but still!

Day 4: Be kind to yourself - do something that makes you laugh out loud
I've been laughing alot already this weekend because I've had my uni friends down to visit. We call ourselves the 'Fillets' (long story) and it was our Festive Fillet Christmas meet up. It's one of those groups where it's difficult to get the whole group together because we are spread out across the country and everyone has clashing diaries. So we usually end up meeting only a few times a year - but when we do, it is EXACTLY the same and like we've never been apart. And we just spend the whole time yakking about really random things and cracking up over really stupid things.

So that's the first week wrapped up. It has most definitely lifted my spirits up (though I've got to admit that I'm being swept up by the whole Christmas affair now, haha) and I'm excited to continue these kindness acts. Let's see what week 2 brings...!

Psst, it's not to late to join in either. Download your Kindness Advent Calendar from Helen's blog now!