#OneNiceThingEveryDay: Because Life Doesn't Have to be Crap

#OneNiceThingEveryDay: Because Life Doesn't Have to be Crap

I've posted before about bad entrepreneur advice. There's a lot of it out there. Alongside the bad advice for entrepreneurs, there are way too many platitudes about how to live "your best life" and "make it really count." We've all heard them.  Stuff like: 

As if that wasn't enough pressure: 

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.” 

– Coria Kent

If you subscribe to nihilism, you're already scoffing. The need to be DOING SOMETHING AMAZING EVERYDAY is damn near impossible. This line of thinking- while I understand and can appreciate the core sentiment- sends the message that every day, every moment of your life must be meaningful in some way. Yes, life is short and we should eat the ice cream, call the cute person we met at the bar, and take a solo trip. All of things are worth it, yes, absolutely. That said- would I want my last day to be like today: getting coffee with a friend, working at the record label, working on my business, and writing this blog? No. Not particularly (although I'm not opposed to any of those things).

But in between all that- to live each day like it was your last is an extreme amount of pressure, and completely unrealistic. Not every day can be a spent in bliss/excitement/contentment. Even if you love your job, some days are still work. Even if you are privileged enough to not need a job, some days suck: losing a loved one, caring for a sick relative/friend/partner, being sick, facing mental or physical health issues...etc. etc. Furthermore, if you're anxious like me, you'll beat yourself up about the bad days, worried you're not "living life it to its fullest." It's overwhelming, damn it. 

Instead of being stuck in a panic about EACH BREATH BEING WORTHWHILE or not, why not commit to ONE, single, kind act- no matter how small- every day?  I'd be willing to be we already do many single, kind acts everyday, meaning we need to re-frame our thinking to highlight these positive things. We're already doing good things everyday. Let's champion our good.

Not every day can be amazing, but we can do something kind and wonderful everyday. 

Here's a list of wonderful things you can do- from the one-time free thing, to something that takes more money/time.  Please add your own to the comments and share them on social media with #onenicethingeveryday.

Compliment someone in public

Call/message a friend/family member to say hi and catch up
Buy someone a #metalbandgiftclub pick
Recycle
Pick up some litter
If you see someone hurting- check in
Volunteer at a charity of your choice
Cook a loved one/friend/family member a nice meal

Send someone an actual letter or postcard
Write a positive review of a local/small business that you like
Do something nice for someone with no expectation of thanks
Buy a coffee/pay the toll for the person behind you in line
Let someone in front of you in rush hour traffic

Do a "random act of kindness" and leave coffee gift cards, notebooks, whatever, for people to find
Clean out your stuff and donate it to charity
Organize a "day of service" with your friends/family/org/church

Hype a friend's business, band, show, or service
Donate books to a prison or school
Babysit a friend's/family member's kid (for free) so the parents can spend time together
DD for your friends for a change
Give money to a homeless person (what they spend it on is none of your business-otherwise donate some cash to a food pantry)
Do someone a favor
Clean your house/apt
Take care of yourself (you count)