This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GreenMountainGoodness
I work full-time, which means I am not always able to make time for everything I want to do.
It also means that I have to figure out ways to incorporate goodness into my daily life, whether it’s combining running errands with hanging out with friends (trip to Walmart + then brunch, anyone?) or sprinkling in a few delightful deeds and choices into each day.
Here are some easy ways to incorporate some good into your busy life.
When buying gifts, try to make them useful.
A great way to do some good is to stop buying gifts that people don’t want or can’t actually use. I often follow this for holidays and birthdays by trying to give people something useful (like a new coffee maker, kitchen towels that are functional and cute, or cozy heated blanket).
I also think it’s fun to create themed gift baskets, like a box of K-Cup® pods wrapped with a cute mug and a cute caffeine-themed kitchen towel.
It’s also a pretty fun idea to gift a great experience (like tickets to a Broadway show or a cool class). Experiential gifts are such a great way to do something fun with your loved one without purchasing an item that might just become clutter.
Participate in local swaps at work or in your community.
Every few months my office does book swaps and “random item” swaps — I always look forward to both.
Book swaps are a great way to pass on books I’ve read but don’t wish to keep (and also a great way to get new books for free!) and “random item” swaps are always a joy. I’ve seen coworkers score almost new hair-care products, picture frames, and even small appliances while also giving new life to flat irons, unopened beauty products, and wine openers they don’t need.
Because of this, I keep a running pile of books to donate or trade-in and before tossing something perfectly good (like a PR package I was sent but cannot use or a sweater I never wore but cannot return), I always try to pass it on to someone else.
Get into the habit of utilizing reusable items when possible.
This is such an incredibly easy habit to get into and it can also be an aesthetically pleasing one, too. Every single day I bring my lunch in my reusable lunch box and when I bring coffee to work I stick to a reusable tumbler.
I also usually have a few affordable reusable bags from Walmart on hand so I can keep a bag at work and a few at home for trips to the library or the grocery store. They’re much more durable and handy than those flimsy plastic bags many other stores regularly offer, too.
Share your talents whenever possible.
If there’s something you’re especially skilled at, it typically costs little to nothing to share those abilities with others. It’s such easy ways to brighten someone else’s day.
These skills can seriously range, like if you’re great at doing nail art you may offer to paint your cousin’s nails for her graduation. Or maybe you’re a talented baker and you decide to bring in some sweets with you to the office.
For example, I work full-time as an editor so if someone in my life is working on a college application or even their resume, I always offer a second set of eyes.
Try to purchase from brands that also do good.
This is especially important when you’re purchasing something you use or consume every single day.
For me, one of the things I have each day is a morning cup of coffee, so I’ve tried to do a little bit of digging into the K-Cup® pods I purchase, and I choose to opt for flavors from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters®.
Fortunately, the brand focuses on a number of sustainability efforts, like planting high-quality seedlings and working with organizations to help the coffee industry withstand the devastating effects of climate change. You can read more on their site.
Two of my favorite Green Mountain Coffee flavors are Dark Magic, a deep and rich dark roast that is my perfect cup with a splash of cream and sugar, and Caramel Vanilla Cream, which is delicious, sweet, and creamy — it’s also quite the crowd-pleaser, both my dad and my boyfriend always drink these first whenever they’re in the house!
I usually pick up the 24-count boxes of them at Walmart because the prices are quite low and there’s usually a nice range of flavors available.
Leave reviews with genuinely useful information.
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and you wish someone had told you it was cash only? Or been to a hotel but wish someone had told you that the rooms get really warm at night and the parking is sort of hard to find but it’s around the back behind the connected cafe? Or that the sweaters from a certain brand run small?
We’ve all been there! And how lovely it is to be the person who bestows this useful information to fellow readers who might be looking to go somewhere you’ve been or purchase something you already own.
When you’re in a store with a cart full of items, let the person with one thing cut in front of you.
When I was in Walmart picking up a handful of items (a new coffee mug, a reusable bag, two boxes of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters K-cups, and a candy bar), I was waiting in line behind a family with a cart that was filled to the brim with groceries.
And once they were next, they told me to go in front of them because I didn’t have much, and that simple gesture made my day … and saved me a lot of time! It’s always nice to pay it forward and I try to do this whenever I’m buying a ton of things.
Follow up on people’s recommendations, especially the ones you loved.
The best feeling ever is recommending someone try a specific brand, book, movie, restaurant, etc, and find out that they LOVED it!
Lately, I’ve tried to take note when people recommend things to me by setting reminders or adding people’s names to my “to watch” and “to read” lists in my phone, so once I finally get to their suggestion I can let them know how I enjoyed it and we can talk about it.
It’s so simple, but it makes a huge difference and is a great way to show appreciation while sharing in others’ interests.
Try to incorporate people you love into your life as much as possible.
It’s easy to lose touch with people when you’re busy, so one of the greatest habits to add to your busy life is making a point to mix daily tasks with connecting with loved ones.
For example, I always like to run errands with friends when possible. A trip to Walmart or the library is so much more fun when you’re with someone else (plus, they can get some stuff done, too!). Or when I’m walking home from the bus stop or slugging through a commute, sometimes I’ll call a friend just to catch up.
It’s all about utilizing the time you have and making the most of it.
Remember peoples’ birthdays and their little moments, stressors, and life changes, too
A great way to keep in touch and spread goodness within your social circle is to remember the big things and the little things for your coworkers, friends, and family members.
And you can also make a point to remember the days where those around you meeting with their boss about a promotion, celebrating their pets’ birthday, or moving out. All it takes is sending a text to let them know you’re thinking of them. This is such a great way to spread positivity and remind someone you’re thinking of them and their life.
If you want to go above and beyond, send a thoughtful card to share motivation and kind words or even a lengthy ext message.
Another easy way to do this is by picking up something you know one of your loved ones enjoy next time you see it. For example, one of my boyfriend’s favorite candies are these seasonal chocolate-covered eggs, so if I happen to see them I usually pick him up a bag … it’s all about being thoughtful and reminding those you love that you’re thinking of them.
