1. Find a charity you're keen on and set up a direct debit. You won't even notice a couple of quid leaving your account each month, most likely, so find one which resonates with you and go for it. If you're worried about where the money's going, check out these tips on Monday Supermarket.
2. Give a colleague 10 minutes of your day if they look like they need to chat or off-load. In these austere times and days of increased chances of redundancy, moral can be low. However, showing a friendly face and giving someone a chance to rant can help. Be careful to not take their worries onto your shoulders though - just be an outlet and someone to talk to. Angry rants, done privately, are great, according to the guys at Real Life Law of Attraction. I tend to agree!
3. Donate your unwanted books, CDs and furniture to a charity shop. More and more people are selling online nowadays and I imagine the charity shops are losing out. You'll feel so much better for doing it than making a couple of pounds on ebay and there's no postage to pay!
4. Bake a cake for someone sick. You know they'll appreciate the thought, even if it's a questionable bake!). If you google easy cake recipes, there are lots to start you off with - BBC Food is particularly good, and some really do only take 10 minutes to whip up.
5. Call your local Council to report that unsightly flytip you pass every morning. They might not know it exists and may even clear it up, improving your local area.
6. A grandparent is for life, not just for Christmas. Call them.
7. Hunger affects every community. Find your local food bank and donate a few cans of something non-perishable.
8. If you've got a bumper crop this year on your allotment, why not take your spare veg round to a neighbour or give to a friend? Waste not, want not! #lovefoodhatewaste
9. Test your kids. Give them a quiz to do between main course and dessert round the dinner table. Something will stick and they'll win a pub quiz in the future (or pass their GCSEs more easily...)!
10. Got a stressed out nightshift worker for a housemate? Why not help her out by doing her washing up which is building up on the side. The house will look cleaner for it too!
Feeling inspired?
Check out 67 things to do in 67 minutes, and action for Mandela Day (18/7/13). Let me know what you get up to in the comments below!
It's International Volunteer Day in less than a month (5th December) so why not get involved? Check out Do It, the volunteer opportunity website. There are many roles to look at, and so many benefits from lending a hand, so take a look!
Lou x
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Image courtesy of The Future Melting Pot