Tag: be kind

February 2021 – Parcel Contents

Hello!

It’s time to show you the contents of our February parcel and, this time they had the theme of, Kindness.

The contents of this parcel were all about encouraging the recipient to show a little kindness to themselves, as well as to others.

February Contents:

Wooden Heart –

Your February parcel is all about love and kindness …and that means being kind to yourself too! The first item in your parcel this month, is a rustic wooden hanging heart. We loved the simple, no frills design and thought it would be a perfect addition to any space needing a little bit of love!

Button Badge, Sticker & Shout Card –

We just mentioned above that showing kindness means being kind to yourself too. Life has become a very different kind of hectic at the moment, whether it be the challenges of working from home, or possibly the even bigger challenge of home schooling – the struggle is real!

 This sticker and button badge is a little reminder that kindness rules, whether that’s being kind to others, or to yourself.

If you do find yourself struggling to cope, we’ve also included a card for, Shout, a charity that we work closely with at The Smile Parcel.

Text: SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7, confidential support.

Smile At Strangers –

Now, for something brand new! At the beginning of January, we began a new venture, creating Smile Prints.

But, don’t worry, The Smile Parcel is staying just where it is, in fact, The Smile Prints has been created to help us to create more parcels, as all proceeds go straight to The Smile Parcel.

So, whether you’re looking to print your own postcards to send to friends, or add a print to your wall, you’ll receive your chosen print in 5 different sizes and you can print as many copies as you like! If you fancy a browse, you’ll find us here: www.thesmileprints.etsy.com

 “Pulling Each Other Through…” –

We loved this new postcard from Katie Abey – love is definitely helping us all to pull each other through at the moment, fingers crossed the kindness and love being shown across communities will continue long after the pandemic is a distant memory!

Smile Cards –

As always, there should be a couple of these little cards in your parcel, I’ve written one for you, and the blank one, is for you to write a short inspirational or positive message, and give to someone you know, or maybe, leave somewhere for a complete stranger to find.

Parcel Assistant –

The Pom-Pom Parcel Assistant who helped (or hindered!) us with packing your parcel this month was, Ronnie.

Karen x

Quick 2020 Review!

Hello!

I hope you’re keeping safe and well.

We’re reaching the end of the year, so I wanted to do a little round-up update post today!

We’re all sadly aware of the negatives and challenges, and for some, tragedies that 2020 brought, but I wanted to take some time to focus on some positives.

Firstly, lots of us had the opportunity to spend lots more time at home with family, something that we may not get to experience again and I know so many of you made the most of this time, and we were made so much more aware of the amazing work of our frontline workers and their dedication to help others – something that we are all the more grateful for and won’t take for granted.

The kindness that has been shown to others, by the majority of people, whether it be raising money for struggling charities, or helping neighbours, or even strangers in times of need.

On a personal note, we’ve been touched by the support you’ve shown The Smile Parcel during this time, and it’s been a pleasure to handwrite your lovely notes to go inside surprise pick-me-up parcels to send to friends and family.

This time enabled us to re-evaluate our goals, and so we saw the comeback of our letterbox friendly “The Smile Parcel Mini” gifts – which we love creating.

We also joined a new exciting platform, KINDpreneurs – kind shopping, an online marketplace to showcase small businesses and entrepreneurs using their business as a force for good, offering products with purpose that have a positive impact on people, the planet or animals.

You can find out more about KINDpreneurs here: http://www.kindpreneurs.com

We’re so grateful for your loyalty to The Smile Parcel, lots of you have been receiving our subscription parcels for a long time now and we appreciate every single order, as your purchases means we are able to create more parcels and reach a wider audience, to share a smile and a mental health boost to more people – which means you are pretty fabulous!

I hope you have a lovely Christmas and we’re keeping our fingers tightly crossed for a better 2021.

Karen x

We’re A Kindpreneur!

Hello!

I want to share something brand new with you today.

We’ve recently been accepted to become part of a new exciting venture – Kindpreneurs …the UK’s Kind marketplace!

Kindpreneurs was founded by Karen Thomas to showcase purposeful kind businesses and the unsung entrepreneurs behind the brands, while helping shoppers to connect with mission focused businesses.

Kindpreneurs focuses on small businesses, all with the same mission of wanting to make the world a better place!

These may include:

  • Earth Friendly – Eco friendly, recycled, compostable, biodegradable, plastic free, carbon reduced, energy efficient, zero waste or sustainable,

  • Animal Welfare – Free from animal cruelty throughout the development and manufacturing process or supports animal welfare,

  • Ethical or Fair – Ethically sourced or Fair Trade standards throughout the manufacturing process ensuring workers rights are looked after,

  • Reduce Poverty – Enabling the poor or homeless to create wealth for themselves as a means of ending poverty forever,

  • Giving Back – Helping those in need via voluntary time, pay it forward or buy one gift one campaigns (rather than just charity donations),

  • Kindness – Sharing compassion and acts of kindness to bring joy to others and make the world a better place by spreading ripple of kindness,

  • Communities – Engaging in community projects to create a sense of belonging and lasting change for those involved,

  • Diversity – Protecting those at most risk of prejudice and discrimination due to ethnic minority, race, sex, gender or disability,

  • Mental Health – Supporting those who experience mental health difficulties. Helping to prevent suicide or introducing mindfulness practices.

This platform is a brand new venture for Karen, but I have to add, that she is also a really lovely person, inside and out, and we wish her all the best of luck with such an inspiring project – we’re sure it’s going to be a great success!

If you’re looking to buy from, and support small independent businesses this Christmas, Kindpreneurs is a fantastic starting point!

If you’d like to have a browse, you can find our Kindpreneurs shop here: https://www.kindpreneurs.com/shop/the-smile-parcel/

 

Make Time For Me-Time!

Self-care is something we hear mentioned quite a lot, and it can sound somewhat self-indulgent, and ‘fluffy’ – but it certainly isn’t selfish, in fact, it’s essential!

Self-care is a very personal thing, and can be interpreted differently from person to person, basically, it’s the routine of doing something you enjoy, and essentially doing it, for you.

It could be down to simply being kinder to yourself. Our lives have become so busy and hectic, that most of us operate on auto-pilot. We are so consumed with work, household chores, and family…and now, technology and social media have been added to that list too, so we forget how important it is, for our own health and wellbeing, to, just, press pause.

Investing in some well-deserved self-care is important to help prevent burnout, and allows us to take time out to recharge our batteries.

The practice of self-care has lots of great benefits, both physical and mental, it can help boost our self-confidence too, by taking part in activities that we are good at, and enjoy doing.

One excuse for not making time for ourselves, is that we just don’t have the time. But, the best thing about self-care is that it can fit into our routine, and can begin with small little habits implemented each day.

Ideas may include going for a walk and unplugging from technology for an hour, or trying mindfulness, and just, being still. Taking time to laugh, whether socially, or while watching a funny sitcom, or maybe, if you enjoy physical exercise, spending an hour at the gym, listening to your favourite music, or going for a run.

It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is good for you, and helps you to reconnect with yourself – the key to self-care, is little and often.

 

Karen x