Experience Sussex!

Over on Instagram (@SussexUni) we recently asked you to tell us the ways you like to show kindness to others. Read on for some of the highlights, which might inspire you to do something kind today. 

Small kindnesses in public

Lots of you told us that you enjoy doing small acts of kindness when out and about, like smiling at people, holding a door open or offering to pay for someone’s coffee if their card isn’t working at the till. Genuine, thoughtful compliments were also on your list, with one of you advising: “If you see something nice in someone, say it”. 

Acts of service

‘Acts of service’ is a love language that was mentioned a few times, with suggestions including doing favours around the house, getting little gifts that a loved one might like, leaving kind messages on a post-it note or whiteboard, and offering to help family or friends when they need support. 

Paying attention

Another important area was paying attention, whether that is to how someone is feeling, what they are telling you or what they need, such as quality time together or a hug. Some of you mentioned: 

• “remembering small details” 

• “checking in with friends when they go quiet” 

• “actively listening and trying to make them feel valued” 

• “being considerate and understanding” and 

• “asking loved ones how they are feeling and how their day is/has been”. 

Paying it forward

Dr Gillian Sandstrom, Director of the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness and Senior Lecturer here, added: “I love to pass along compliments. For example, one of my students made a positive comment about a video that they watched for class, and I sent a message to the person in the video to tell them that the student had enjoyed it.” 

Finally, we appreciated how one student told us that expressing themselves can be a kindness to others in their community: “By being myself so that everyone else feels comfortable to be themselves too!”