Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want to know what good you do?

103 replies

fightbackorriseabove · 18/09/2025 19:50

Life has been tough recently, and I find myself watching YouTube vids, podcasts, the news, and getting more and more down.

I feel as if we're losing ourselves as a race. Genocides, wars, the far-right, climate change, racism, misogyny, cost of living... it goes on and on.

I'd rather not discuss politics. I seem to have got myself in a permanent loop of rage-watching...

I need a break.

I want to find a bit of joy. There must be more kindness out there that we can use to counter all the shit.

So... what good do you do? What acts of kindness are out there? Even if it's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, what's happy - or neutral - in your life? What's made you laugh? Give me some positive stories! What are you pleased about? What are you looking forward to? hat have you achieved - big or small?

  • I help cats. I help rehabilitate stray cats and find them new homes.
  • I listen to my friends. I think/hope I'm a good friend.
  • I take care of my daughter well and have at least one great big belly laugh a day with her. She is a joy. And very kind. Today, she told me she'd read "thousands of pages" at school, so I could "just forget" the library book. She also saw me having a lemsip-type thing and told me not to do drugs. And every day, she thinks it's a miracle that I can "feel" in her belly what she had for lunch at school. She doesn't seem to have worked out that I read it on the notice board next to the school gate.
  • I have a very loving sister. We try to look out for each other.
  • I have piles of unread books. I like to pretend I'm a big reader, but in reality, I WAS a big reader. But it's nice to have the pile.

Over to you.

OP posts:
lljkk · 18/09/2025 20:00

Each week I walk 2 dogs for the Cinnamon Trust.

I end up doing random bits of other volunteering, too, special 5k races, public meadow maintenance or helping someone do their work, etc.

I fuss over every friendly dog I meet, lol.

I do a lot of ecofreak habits which maybe reduces env. harms.

Mrsjohnsmith · 18/09/2025 20:00

I help out with a choir that my kids are in.
I’m in the PTA and help out on school trips.
I take my mother in law who has dementia out for coffee.
I send my friends little parcels when they’re feeling poorly.
I remember my godchildren’s birthdays and send presents even though we live far apart.
I recently forgave and made peace with someone that did something awful.
I tell people when they look great 😊

Uncertaintyisreal · 18/09/2025 19:57

Today, left a hearty tip for a waitress, bought a present for my neighbour, and verbally admired a load of dogs on the beach.