Is it possible to be too kind? Kindness is something I’ve been chatting about with friends over the past few months and our conversations have been fascinating. How we show kindness, how it’s received and how it fits into our lives, all of it is shaped by our experiences and upbringing.
Kindness can be simple acts like remembering important dates, sending a thoughtful message or offering support when someone is struggling.
A good place to start might be to define the word kindness.
Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistant or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.
WIKIPEDIA
The Oxford English Dictionary, Kindness is “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.”
For me, kindness all about how act towards others authentically, without expectation or agenda.
One of the lessons my Granny Ruby always taught me was “treat others how we wish to be treated”
To me this means being true to myself while showing care and thoughtfulness.
When Kindness Is Misunderstood
Sometimes, when we act from a genuine place, no matter how genuine your intentions, people may feel that we are too kind which can be misperceived. It can make people feel uncomfortable, obligated, or even suspicious of your motives.
A good example comes from my friend Catherine, who took a bouquet of flowers to a friend remembering the loss of a loved one. Her gesture was misunderstood as it made her friend, the recipient, feel in debt and unsure how to respond, even though the flowers came came from a heartfelt place,
Another friend, Anna, experienced rejection during the pandemic. She checked in on someone struggling with grief, only to be told she was “too kind” and questioned about her motives: “Why are you being so nice?”
These experiences can be hurtful, but they also remind us that how kindness is received often reflects the recipient’s state, not the giver’s intent. Vulnerability, anxiety or past experiences can shape how someone perceives your thoughtfulness.
Why Self Awareness And Boundaries Matter
It’s important to be aware of your own boundaries and to act from a place of authenticity..
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
AUDREY HEBURN
Your acts of kindness are valid if they come from your true authentic self, without agenda or expectation. It’s not selfish to be kind, it’s simply human.
Reflection: Am I Being Too Kind?
Ask yourself:
Why are we kind to others?
Is our kindness for genuine care, or for the feeling of gratitude it gives us?
How do we feel when our kindness is misunderstood?
Exploring these questions helps us understand our motivations and ensures our kindness is intentional, thoughtful and sustainable.
“How do we change the world? One random act of Kindness at a time”
MORGAN FREEMAN
As we celebrate World Kindness Day, I’m reminded of Morgan Freeman’s words: “How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” Kindness doesn’t need to be grand—it can be a simple smile, a thoughtful message, or checking in on someone who might need it.
Today, I invite you to perform one small act of kindness and notice how it ripples outwards. I’d love to hear your stories, share your moments of kindness with me in the comments or on Instagram and let’s inspire each other to make the world a little brighter, one thoughtful gesture at a time.
I’d love to see you there. Let’s keep this conversation going!
Ever feel like the day slips away before you’ve even had a chance to catch up? You’re not alone. Life can feel like a constant race, and sometimes it seems there just aren’t enough hours to get it all done.
But what if the key isn’t doing more, but doing what matters most — in a way that actually fits your life?
In this post, I’m sharing practical ways to reclaim your time and find focus, even when hours are scarce. You’ll see how small, intentional actions can make a huge difference.
Focus On What Truly Matters.
When your to-do list feels endless, the trick is not to tackle everything at once. Instead, identify your top priorities.
Ask yourself:
What absolutely needs to get done today?
Which task, if completed, would make everything else feel lighter?
This helps you stop spinning your wheels on low-impact tasks and instead channel your energy where it counts.
Top Tip:
I love to write my list the night before so I have a clear Mission of what I need to prioritise first in the mornings. Itclears my brain ready for a good nights sleep.
Don’t worry, take a breathe. Let’s remove the overwhelm.
Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs”
Henry Ford
I’m a firm believer that if we look after the small things, then bigger things, which might seem impossible, take care of themselves…
Mini Power Hours: When You Don’t Have An Hour
Sometimes a full hour isn’t possible. That’s okay! Even 20–30 minutes of focused effort can move mountains.
Set a timer for a mini session.
Eliminate distractions — no phone, no notifications.
Focus on just one small but meaningful task.
You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish in short, intentional bursts.
Turn Mundane Missions Into LittleWins:
Even chores or routine tasks can become productive “Power Moments”:
Fold laundry while listening to a favourite podcast.
Prep ingredients for meals while catching up on news or messages.
Tidy one zone of your home at a time instead of the whole house.
Breaking larger tasks into bite-sized pieces keeps overwhelm at bay and gives a sense of progress.
Prioritise Yourself Too
Your Power of an Hour isn’t just for productivity — it can also be for self-care.
Enjoy a quiet coffee and a few pages of a book.
Go for a brisk 20-minute walk outside.
Try a short meditation to reset your mind.
Even small breaks refresh your focus and make the rest of your day more manageable.
Your Next Step.
Start small. Pick one task, block 20–60 minutes, and see what you can achieve.
The Power of an Hour isn’t magic. it’s simply making the most of the time you have, with focus, intention, and a little planning.
I’d love to know how it works for you! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your #powerofanhour stories, and let’s celebrate the small wins together.
A walk along the coast in the fresh can be super powerful.
What You Can Achieve In An Hour
Even a single hour can make a big difference when it’s focused with intention. Whether it’s boosting your wellbeing, shifting your mindset, or tackling a small but meaningful task, an hour is more powerful than it seems.
Below are five ideas and posts to inspire how you can make the most of just 60 minutes, simple, practical, and life-changing ways to use your time wisely.
The Power of an Hour is a great way to inject intention into your day or evening. I’ve shared free daily planner (and more) in the Organisation tools.
It really helps keep me focused and find it invaluable for my Power of an Hour.
What will you do with your next Power of an Hour? I’d love to know, join in the conversation on my Instagram or comment below. Feel free to tag me into your #powerofanhour and use the hashtag!
Here’s to feeling more in control and less overwhelmed!
One thing that’s magical for your mental health and that is setting boundaries. This weeks Blog discusses how to set boundaries and the benefits to your mental health and well-being.
Over time what we deem to be “OK”, gets blurred.
On occasions the we are treated or spoken to by work colleagues, friends and even our partners can cause upset, yet the need to do something about this situation may be delayed as you worry about the repercussions, regardless of how this makes you feel on a daily basis.
It’s no secret that I love Brene Brown’s work and her research on boundaries is amazing. (She’s one person I’d love to meet & have on my Dinner Party Wishlist!) Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. She’s funny and shares a deep insights from her research in her many books. Research that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
Maybe you run your own business and the boundaries around your working hours have become blurred, meaning that you’re trying to juggle work and home life, whilst going the extra mile for your clients..
Whatever your situation is, being mindful that creating boundaries of what’s OK and not OK can have such a powerful effect.
Mini Mission
Join me on a mini Mission. Grab your journal or notebook and consider a situation that is causing upset and worry to you in your life. How does that situation make you feel? Have you thought about setting clear boundaries. Read on for how to resolve the issue.
I’m not as sweet as I used to be, but I’m far more loving”
Brene Brown
They say if you want something doing, ask a busy person! Yet, how often to we feel ourselves saying yes to something when really your head is screaming “no!!”
Why?
When your default setting is to help out, It’s not easy saying no, it makes us feel guilty or judged. . Yet by saying yes, you know that it will be adding more to your plate, causing increased stress, resentment and maybe even a sleepless night or two..
So how do we fix this?
Brene Brown shared her top three tips on how to create your boundaries: (direct quotes)
Make a mantra. I need something to hold on to—literally—during those awkward moments when an ask hangs in the air. So I bought a silver ring that I spin while silently repeating, “Choose discomfort over resentment.” My mantra reminds me that I’m making a choice that’s critical for my well-being—even if it’s not easy.
Keep a resentment journal. Whenever I’m marching around muttering cuss words under my breath, I grab what I lovingly refer to as my Damn It! Diary and write down what’s going on. I’ve noticed that I’m most resentful when I’m tired and overwhelmed— i.e. not setting boundaries.
Rehearse. I’ll often say, to no one in particular, “I can’t take that on” or “My plate is full.” Like many worthwhile endeavours, boundary setting is a practice.
I find this really powerful and wonder if you do too?
Like a candle or rose petal, our wellbeing and mental health is delicate, something that should be treasured. If looked after well, it will give you years of joy and happiness. If you fail to look after the little things, setting boundaries, being kind to yourself, then they will in turn become bigger things and eventually your mental health and well being will suffer.
“Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They’re compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment.”
Brene Brown
I love these mantras and have over the years, integrated them into my daily life.. Not easy, it takes practice, but remember every time you say “yes’ to someone else, you are saying “no” to you.
Writing your boundaries down is really powerful, it cements the “why” and as Brene says, what’s OK and what’s not OK.
If you have 5 minutes, take a look at Brene’s famous TedTalk that I believe you’ll love..
I’d love to know your thoughts about this one thing that’s magical for your mental health. Will you be joining me in this Mission of setting boundaries? Let me know in the comments below.
Feel free to share with a friend who you think would love this Mission too. Furthermore, I’d love you to subscribe to receive my blog straight to your inbox.
With love
Hi, I'm Claire
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
Make a mantra. I need something to hold on to—literally—during those awkward moments when an ask hangs in the air. So I bought a silver ring that I spin while silently repeating, “Choose discomfort over resentment.” My mantra reminds me that I’m making a choice that’s critical for my well-being—even if it’s not easy. 
