How can each individual improve the feeling of “society is a bit shit right now”?

[Limmers14]

I was reading the thread about how people are acting more aggressively and stressed and this has become very evident in the past year along likely caused by a feeling that British society generally, is deteriorating in many ways.

I’d like to try and bring back a feeling of pride in my local area and I thought this could be a thread to share ideas, where to source things, how to fix things - even if they’re just small things. We have to start somewhere.

For example, the street sign on my road is broken. I’ve reported it to the Council many times but it hasn’t been fixed. Where can I get a street sign? I also think planting loads of crocuses in my area on the verges would be nice. Where’s the best place to bulk buy and plant en masse? Things like that. I’d love to hear your ideas.

I’m sure people will come for me and say they have bigger issues than crocuses and yeah, you’re probably right, but if we all try to bring a little light into society, maybe areas will improve and our communities will be happier, leading to more positive outcomes for everyone. (That and voting the Conservatives out next year, obvs)

I litter pick when I go for my walk…

Gorgeous gorgeous idea... sorry, about to go to bed but wanted to shout Hurrah and cheer you on....

Doing similar on our road

I'm going to plant some winter bulbs in pots and leave them on a few neighbours doorsteps without saying who did it. I've been meaning to do it for years

A bit naff-sounding, but 'small acts of kindness' to strangers, where appropriate - letting someone go in front of you at the till when they only have a couple of items; running after someone who's dropped something on the pavement; helping someone with their luggage on the train if you're not carrying anything yourself - that kind of thing.

Lovely ideas. I picked some punnets of blackberries from my garden and put them on a small table by my door with a ‘free please take” sign. They went really quickly.

Not community based, but with a view to improve society I have decided to actively be non-judgmental about people. Russel Brand is a good test of this. I am accepting his behaviour was poor at the time. But I'm not going to use inflamed language or act outraged about it/him. I see people making poor decisions every day in my work. I recognise that they make those poor decisions because of an unmet need or emotion - which requires empathy and understanding to solve.

I pass an area on my way to work that has a bit of green. Someone there has taken over a corner and planted a huge amount of flowering plants. It looks beautiful.
a couple of years ago this green was strewn with rubbish, broken branches where kids had been pulling on them, a couple of tyres etc and it looked a grim place to live beside. Crocuses would be a lovely start. Have a look on eBay, or even Amazon -although I don’t feel bulbs and plants are as cheap as they used to be.

Dh always picks up any errant dog poo he sees whilst walking our dog around the village.

I always thank people with a wave when they’ve rightly given way to me in the car. So many people just push through when it isn’t their turn. I’ve noticed only about half the people say thank you to me with a wave when I’ve given way.

@Woush Russell Brand? What an odd name to shoehorn into a thread that is essentially about altruism.

Poor decisions such as rape? I’m quite low on empathy and understanding for that

I adore your approach and completely get it. It's so easy to sit around and moan about the 'state of affairs'. If everyone did one little thing to make their surroundings, or surrounding people, happier, it can only make things better.

We might feel powerless in the bigger picture of politics, wars, and finances, but that shouldn't mean giving up.

Too tired now to think of specifics, but would love to keep this thread - and actions, however small, going.

Such a great idea and I've been thinking similar recently.

Crocuses are great for bees as well apparently as they are one of the first flowers to come out in the spring. Some more plants for bees and butterflies would be great. They love purple flowers!

I sometimes pick litter when I see any in the woods. Will make more of an effort.

Everything is so depressing at the moment. If we all did just a little bit to improve our environment every day it would make a difference. Atomic habits and all that!

😞 not looking to derail a lovely thread. I try to not be judgemental. I think that helps society.

<wish I could edit my post to avoid any thread derail, but can't now>

Moving on, my brother looks after a grass verge next to a marketplace where he lives. He splits plants from his (and other peoples) gardens to plant there, gathers wildflower seeds to scatter etc. Costs him nothing but a little time.

My next foor neighbour always mows the front gardens of the 4 houses surrounding him (inc ours) when he mows his own garden. He says he's got the mower our and takes hardly any time. So he does it to ve kind. I like that.

I put up and keep filled 8 bird feeders in the woods behind our house. The bird population are so much more visible now. Lots of locals have commented to me on how much they love watching the birds on the feeders.

Smiling at people and exchanging a few cheery words (with shop assistants, bus drivers, delivery drivers etc) goes a long way to creating a more positive atmosphere for everyone.

And, yes, using your vote wisely next time we get the chance! I honestly think there will be a huge tidal wave of relief and joy when (please god) these self-serving wreckers are sent packing….

I think if more people thought like you, the world would be a much better place.

Yes this. What might feel like a tiny wee gesture on your part can actually be really meaningful to the other person, even if is just letting someone go ahead at a till.

Aren’t these things that most people just do anyway? It’s part of being civilised.

Every year for the past 12 years I have started a mystery Elf gift drop and run where I live. I start off with loads of small bags,a flyer to explain and a mini gift. Usually something like few chocolate coins. It’s caused much joy and wonder from the local kids as people pass it on “we’ve been Elfed!” To another family. I’ve seen so many surprised FGB posts.

I want to:

a) start a repair cafe locally. I haven’t got time to run it but I want to help get it started.

b) start a plant exchange with some shelves where people can donate rooter cuttings of house plants like spider plants, or excess tomato plants etc

c) start a “little library” with an outdoor small bookcase with a door where people can donate a book and take a book.

I love the crocus idea. There needs to be more joy in society.

In a flat I lived in years ago someone would leave a little basket of chocolate mini eggs on every doorstep inside our tenement at Easter- so about 12 other flats. We never found out who it was although we suspected, but it was such a lovely thing to do.

Not in UK. Our lemon tree has had the most enormous crop. We put out a bag of lemons hanging on our gate this week. It was such a great feeling when it emptied, that people out for a walk popped a lemon in their pocket to take home.

A very practical suggestion for the crocuses …. Purple crocuses are the symbol of Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” campaign. Many Rotary clubs will purchase crocuses (often with funds raised at other community events) and plant in a community garden / entrances to towns etc. Find your local club - and offer the gardening help to plant them, to help maintain the area afterwards, or funds to help purchase, or help to man a stall or whatever at the other events they run to raise the money for this. (world polio day is 24th October, so you may see local publicity about this soon)

In a similar manner, tap into existing groups in your area such as Rotary / Round Table / community councils …. They’ve often got the “infrastructure” to run activities and events, but lack enough volunteers to run everything the community wants. (Our town’s summer fete thing has not run this year due to lack of volunteers on community council which has now folded, but FB for the town is full of folk bemoaning lack of community events - can’t win!)
Then the “haven’t got time” line becomes more manageable, as then it’s say 10 folk doing 2 hours rather than 1 person trying to find 20 hours (19 of which are going round in circles …)

Good old swap-shop - I’d have no idea about making bird-feeders, so would appreciate that!

Well done you. We definitely need more of this in society.

I’m a Cub Scout leader. I think more people should volunteer! Not just for scouting but it’s a great place to start in my opinion.

I also think that single mothers and parents of children (especially teens) with special needs or mental health problems seem to be struggling with life particularly badly since the pandemic. It’s something I observe frequently in my job (and I’m a single parent myself). I do think that most people who are not single parents are completely oblivious to how difficult everyday life as a single parent is and how much it can grind you down. Constantly trying to do the job of two people basically. I’d love it if more people would stop keeping themselves to themselves as much and actively reach out to people in their own social circle or on the periphery of it that they see struggling -for company, for childcare etc. Keeping single mothers particularly in mind and offering what you can of your time and energy and just company. It means the world to me if a friend suggests coming over for half an hour for a chat and a glass of wine.

I think that's the issue @CurlyhairedAssassin - while these sorts of things used to be just what people did, there is much less of it now