Hope is a Behavior
- Lynn Northrop
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
Hope is not wishful thinking; it’s a guiding value that moves us toward actions that infuse life with richness and meaning, even (maybe most importantly) in difficult times when our access to the feeling of hope may be diminished. When we act in alignment with hope, we affirm our belief in the possibility of positive change and our capacity to contribute to it. What follows is a list 20 tangible ways to live the value of hope, ranging from small, everyday gestures to bold, impactful commitments. Each action is a step toward creating a brighter, more connected future—both for ourselves and for the world around us. Yes, hope is sometimes something that feel, and it is lovely to sit still, look inward and find the feeling. But it’s also a fact that hope is a behavior, or rather a category of behavior. We can behave hopefully whether or not the feeling has fully blossomed in a moment. In fact the behavior sometimes produces the bloom inside us. I hope you will engage in a behavior or two or ten from this list. And I hope you will come back and tell me about it.
Write a Letter of Encouragement.
Create a heartfelt note to a friend, family member, or community leader, reminding them of their strength and your belief in them.
Plant a Tree or a Garden or just get a little plant.
Nurturing something that grows symbolizes faith in the future.
Volunteer for a Cause You Believe In.
Whether it’s a one-time-thing, or a longer term commitment, giving your time reflects hope for a better world.
Create Art that Inspires Hope.
Paint, write, or craft something. Make a chalk drawing on your sidewalk. Artfully arrange leaves on a park bench. Do something that illustrates your connection with beauty or joy in the moment or expresses your vision for a brighter future.
Reach Out to Someone Feeling Down
Call or text or send a card to a friend or loved one who may need support, letting them know they’re not alone.
Read a Story of Resilience
Choose a book, article, or biography that highlights human resilience and triumph over adversity.
Write a Gratitude List
Reflect on what you’re grateful for, reminding yourself of the beauty in your life. Even better, make it a regular practice. Daily or every few days come up with a UNIQUE and SPECIFIC gratitude.
Join a Community Group
Whether it’s a support group, a social justice initiative, or a hobby club, connecting with others builds collective hope.
Attend a Peaceful Protest or Rally
Stand with others in advocating for a cause that you believe in. Advocacy is an act of hope.
Donate to a Hope-Driven Organization
Contribute to nonprofits or charities working toward a future you believe in. Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance are free resources that publish ratings and reviews for nonprofit organizations and can help you choose something meaningful to you.
Teach Someone a Skill You Love.
Sharing knowledge is an act of hope, investing in others' growth.
Create a Vision Board or just a file or box of inspiration.
Collect images, quotes, and symbols that represent the hopeful future you want to help create.
Commit to a Personal Growth Goal
Whether it’s learning a new skill, improving your health, or practicing mindfulness, investing in yourself is an act of hope.
Start a Conversation Across Divides
If it feels safe, reach out to someone with different beliefs and listen with curiosity and compassion. Hold lightly the urge to persuade or argue and lean into openness and communicating empathy. This communicates to the other person and to your own heart that you believe in bridges.
Share Stories of Hope on Social Media
Post uplifting articles, videos, personal reflections (or even blogs :-) to inspire your online community. If you do things from this list, post about it! Encourage others to engage in hope.
Take in the Good
Take a walk and look for beauty, listen to a bird sing, enjoy a warm, delicious cup or tea. And as you do these things, reeealllly savor the experience. There is good science to support the idea that you can change your brain in healthy ways by savoring “positive truths,” increasing your ability to notice and discover positive truths moving forward. Psychologist Risk Hansen has more to say about this here.
Send a Care Package
Put together a box of thoughtful items and send it to someone who could use a lift.
Mentor or Support a Young Person
Offer guidance and encouragement to a child or young adult, showing them that they matter and have a bright future.
Write to Your Representatives
Advocate for policies or changes that align with your hopeful vision for society. You can use this website to get contact information for your federal representatives.
Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge progress, no matter how small, whether in your personal life, your community, or the world.
As you consider these actions, remember that hope is an ongoing practice – there is no a finish line, and that’s a beautiful fact! Every small action you take toward what matters is a testament to your courage, commitment, patience and hope, even in the face of uncertainty. Be patient with yourself. Moments of rest are just as vital as moments of action. Let self-compassion be your foundation, reminding you that it’s okay to feel tired or discouraged along the way. And above all, gently hold hope—not as blind optimism, but as a powerful, steady belief in your ability to make a difference. Together, small actions create ripples, and ripples grow into waves of change. Keep going. You deserve this.
[Lynn Northrop, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than two decades of experience treating adults of all ages and training other providers. She practices in person in San Diego and via telehealth throughout CA and FL. Reach her through the Get In Touch page on her website.]
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