How to make a difference: 40 ways to feel more connected in life

Personal Growth

Sep 16

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

You don’t need big plans to make an impact. Here's how to make a difference in the world so you can feel more purposeful in work, relationships, and daily life.

Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in your day, like when someone holds the elevator door for you when you’re running late, a stranger smiles at you during a rough morning commute, or a random dog runs up to you and flops on its back for belly rubs. These tiny gestures—the ones that rarely make headlines—are the moments that can completely change your mood.

But what is making a difference, exactly? It certainly doesn’t have to mean changing the world overnight or solving one of life’s biggest problems. Making a difference can be a gesture as simple as texting a friend who’s having a hard time, as practical as helping a coworker meet a deadline, or as mindful as pausing to notice the beauty of life around you. Each act creates a ripple effect by strengthening connection, adding meaning to daily life, and supporting your mental health and the mental health of those around you.

Let’s explore simple, intentional ways to make a difference in your world, so you can feel more connected and purposeful in everyday life. And maybe you’ll inspire others, too.

What does it mean to make a difference?

When people hear the phrase “make a difference,” they may picture big, sweeping actions like starting a nonprofit, raising thousands of dollars for charity, or changing careers to something more “impactful.” And while all of those paths are powerful, they’re not the only way to make a difference in other people’s lives or in your community. In reality, making a difference often happens in much quieter, smaller moments.

Making a difference can mean showing up for someone who needs support as they navigate losing a loved one. It can mean choosing patience in a tense moment, or offering compassion to someone who’s struggling. It might be the steady encouragement you give to a friend, the gratitude you express to a coworker, fostering shelter pets, or even the simple act of taking care of yourself so you can show up more mindfully for others.

At its core, making a difference is less about changing everything and more about shifting something. It’s about adding value — whether that’s through a moment of comfort, a dose of hope, or a reminder that someone isn’t alone. When you think of it this way, the possibilities are endless, and almost any choice can be an opportunity to contribute.

Why making a difference can impact your mental health

Doing something kind for someone else often feels good in the moment, but the benefits run deeper than a quick mood boost. Studies show that being helpful can reduce stress, improve overall life satisfaction, and even support physical health by lowering blood pressure and inflammation. Psychologists call this the “helper’s high”: a release of feel-good chemicals that lifts your mood and strengthens resilience.

Beyond the science, there’s also something very human at play. When you take the time to connect with others, you’re reminded that you’re part of something bigger than your own worries. That shift in perspective can soften loneliness, bring a sense of meaning to your life, and even help you feel more grounded when life feels heavy.

A single thoughtful act can brighten someone else’s day, which may inspire them to pass it on, creating a chain reaction of positivity. And because these exchanges reinforce connection, they can be especially powerful in moments when you feel isolated or disconnected.

Making a difference, then, isn’t just altruistic — it’s mutually nourishing. You’re not only contributing to someone else’s wellbeing, but you’re also tending to your own.

How to make a difference in everyday life

Making a difference doesn’t have to be one big moment or a grand, sweeping gesture. It also doesn’t have to cost a lot of money — or anything at all. Often, making a difference is a collection of small, consistent actions across different areas of life. Whether you’re looking to support a friend, boost morale at work, or strengthen your local community, these ideas can help you find a way in.

10 ways to make a difference in the lives of friends and loved ones

Although the people closest to you may never ask for support, your care matters to them deeply, just as theirs matters to you. Here are 10 ways to better show up for the people you love:

Check in to see how they’re feeling, what their energy is like, or if they’d want to chat later to vent or talk something through.
Every chance you get, remind them of their strengths, especially the ones they overlook or don’t think are that big of a deal.
Drop off their favorite snack, dessert, or beverage at their house as a nice little thing to do.
Practice compassionate listening as they talk through something that’s weighing on them. Remember not to try to fix anything.
Help them feel understood (not analyzed) by repeating what they said back to you and staying present in the conversation.
If your friend struggles with setting boundaries, celebrate them when they finally do!
Be proactive and helpful on their hard days by offering to drive them to an activity or even cooking dinner for them at your place.
Be a soft place for them to land — no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Apologize and repair quickly if you mess up or say something out of line. No one is perfect. Own your error, and move on together.
Think back on the good memories the two of you have shared and send them a text about it. Sometimes the past is the best kind of fuel for connection.

10 ways to make a difference at work

Creating a positive work environment is essential for employee wellbeing and productivity, and even the smallest acts of kindness can boost morale and build trust. Here’s how to make a positive impact at work, even when your to-do list is full:

Be specific when you thank a colleague. Instead of saying, “Good work,” share what you appreciated, like if they compiled a summary of tasks that helped you stay on track that day.
Offer to be an informal mentor to a new colleague who just joined the team. You can share tips, resources, and shortcuts you’ve learned along the way.
Shout out those who perform invisible labor, like the ones planning team outings or organizing shared documents.
Lighten the mood when stress runs high by encouraging your team to take a collective breath, cracking a work-appropriate joke, or even taking a brief midday pause.
Be a role model when it comes to boundaries by taking breaks when you need them, declining an extra task or after-work outing when you don’t have capacity, and prioritizing rest when possible.
Ask someone how they’re really doing and hold space for their honest answer.
During meetings, offer praise to colleagues who have gone above and beyond. Take it up a notch and follow up with a private note or email reminding them of the great work they’re doing.
Share one thing with your team that made your day easier or streamlined your workflow. It might help someone else, too.
Be present during meetings. Close the tabs on your browser, put your phone away, and show up with your full attention.
Leave room for reflection. After a heavy push for a campaign or big project at work, acknowledge what went well and what you’ve learned.

💙 Learn how Leading Compassionately can change the dynamic of your workplace with guidance from Professor Megan Reitz’s Mindful Leadership Meditations.

10 ways to make a difference in your community

Community doesn’t just happen — it’s created by people who take action in small and large ways to make their communities a better place. Here are ways to help weave connection, care, and safety into the places they live.

Support small businesses by buying local when you can. This includes restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and other neighborhood institutions.
Use your skills to help others. You might volunteer to design local billboards or logos, tutor at a school in your neighborhood, or offer marketing support for a local pet shelter.
Pick up a few pieces of litter every day or clean up a shared space, like a backyard. Others might see you doing this and offer to do the same.
Build visibility and trust by attending events like local farmers’ markets, fundraisers, or town hall meetings.
Be neighborly in your building or on your block by introducing yourself or sharing contact info for emergencies.
Organize or join a mutual aid effort, like a coat drive, neighborhood pantry, or fundraiser for natural disaster relief efforts.
Donate what you don’t use or need to a person, charity, animal shelter, or school that may be in need of additional supplies, food, or clothes.
Practice kindness with people you don’t know well by saying good morning to your barista, smiling at the bus driver, or asking your elderly neighbor if you can help them in some way.
Respect shared spaces, especially if you live in an apartment building or have roommates. Observe and respect quiet hours and clean up after events.
Celebrate community wins by amplifying stories of care, growth, and creativity. Social media is an excellent way to spread the word far and wide.

💙 Cultivate stronger connections with the people around you with help from Tamara Levitt’s Relationships with Others Series.

10 ways to make a difference in the wider world

Even if global issues feel overwhelming, smaller actions that align with your values still matter. Not only do they keep you engaged in the world around you, but they also help build collective momentum. The more people witness others standing up for their beliefs, the more likely they are to join.

Use your voice by signing petitions, sharing accurate resources, or contacting a representative to express displeasure in how they handled a situation.
Support causes monetarily when you can. Even $2 a month can make a difference.
Reduce waste where you can, like recycling plastic and glass or using reusable grocery bags.
Donate your time (or money) to volunteering with organizations that make a difference in the lives of people around the world and the wider environment. Humanitarian organizations, environmental efforts, and advocacy groups are great places to start.
Balance doomscrolling with hope-scrolling and remember to seek out stories of change, healing, and innovation. Your mental health depends on it.
Offer empathy for people whose misfortunes you’re witnessing on social media or on the news. Even if they’re far from you or their struggles are unfamiliar, your empathy can go a long way and inspire others to be kinder, too.
Vote in every election you’re able to exercise your right to vote in. Bonus points if you help transport people to their polling stations when they need a ride.
Amplify marginalized voices. Give them credit when it’s due and defer to their expertise when appropriate.
Reframe action as participation. Remember you’re part of a wider web of care, and you’re not acting alone. Smaller acts add up.
Let care be enough on the days you’re unable to do more, even if you want to. Remembering others with tenderness is a meaningful act of kindness, as well as resistance.

How to make a difference FAQs

What are some easy ways to make a difference today?

You don’t need a plan or a platform to start. Making a difference can be as simple as offering a smile to someone who looks worn out, holding the door for a stranger, or texting a friend to say you’re thinking of them.

Making these gestures often takes less than a minute and doesn't require any special tools or resources. What matters is the intention behind them — the choice to be kind, present, or helpful when you don’t have to be.

If you’re feeling scattered, try anchoring your effort to something you’re already doing. For example, send a check-in text while you wait for your coffee to brew or practice a grounding breath before a meeting. These small acts, repeated consistently, ripple outward more than you might expect.

How does making a difference improve your mood?

Helping others activates parts of the brain linked to connection, reward, and purpose. It can trigger the release of feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin, which boost mood and reduce stress. But beyond biology, making a difference reminds you that you have agency and can make a difference.

This sense of meaning doesn’t have to come from something huge. Even tiny moments of impact can shift how you feel about yourself and your place in the world. And when you’re feeling low or overwhelmed, these moments of connection can help you reenter the day with a little more steadiness.

Can I make a difference even if I’m really busy?

Absolutely. Being busy doesn’t disqualify you from making an impact — it just means you need to find actions that fit inside the life you already have.

You can make a difference by how you respond to someone’s bad day, how you listen in a meeting, or how you show compassion to a stranger in passing. Many of the most powerful contributions take seconds, not hours.

Try thinking of it this way, and instead of adding more to your plate, tweak how you move through what’s already there. Can you be five percent more patient? Five percent more generous? Five percent more grounded? That’s often enough.

What are small ways to make a difference at work?

You don’t need a leadership title to create a positive ripple in your workplace. Some of the most meaningful acts are often overlooked, like sending a thank you after a tough meeting, publicly crediting someone’s work, or helping a colleague triage a task when they’re stretched thin.

Even your energy makes a difference. Bringing calm to a tense conversation or showing up with curiosity instead of criticism can shift a whole team’s tone.

And if you’re unsure where to start, try acknowledging what’s working, offering help when you can, and remembering you’re human.

Do I need to volunteer to make a difference?

Volunteering is one beautiful way to make a difference, but it’s not the only way, and it’s not always accessible. You can still contribute meaningfully through micro-acts of kindness, emotional support, resource sharing, or simply choosing to be more intentional with how you interact with others.

In fact, the kind of consistent, relational care we give in our day-to-day lives, like checking on a neighbor, showing up for a friend, or practicing patience with someone who’s struggling, can be just as valuable as formal service. Volunteering is a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.

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Calm Editorial Team