In these days of social distancing and self-isolation, it is easy to feel a sense of helplessness and loneliness. However, the human spirit remains strong, and people everywhere have found beautiful, creative ways to inspire joy, brighten up their neighbors’ days, and promote an understanding that we are all together on this.
Sending love to the world
One of the many kind acts that spread around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic is the trend of putting hearts in house windows. The nonprofit Kids for Peace launched the Happy Heart Hunt, encouraging children (and their families) to cut hearts of any size from any material and attach them to exterior-facing windows. Additionally, they encourage people to take safe walks (practice social distancing) and look for hearts in other windows.
The hashtag #happyhearthunt reveals dozen of fun, creative, and touching examples. For example, Sam Delabarre shared her Piglet and Pooh, which were made entirely from paper hearts.
“You are braver than you think!” She wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-vUQ8InLeu/
Other storefronts also contain meaningful messages, like this one from Kimberly Holton-Simpson.
“Six feet apart, together at heart,” reads the message in her window.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-dItjEDEIm/
Other windows art
Hearts aren’t the only uplifting works of art to be found in windows when walking around the neighborhood. Rainbow is also a common theme, as in this strikingly detailed “COVID art” by Mikyla Johnston (@homewiththejohnstons).
“Here’s a lockdown love I created on my window the other night when I was off work,” she wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-9rieknrnY/
Others share important information in their windows, such as: B. Kiah Campbell, who added a message about hand washing to her pre-existing rainbow heart window:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uUnnZh2UH/
And some people add a little lightness to their storefronts. Megan Ward went all out with that “Little Mermaid” -designed window.
“The signs with the characters of the little mermaid are supposed to be sung at Under the Sea,” she wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-vQwiaJ8mL/?utm_source=ig_embed
Chalk walks
Sidewalk chalk has also become a wonderful way for people to put a smile on passers-by. Not only do people use the colorful sticks to decorate their own driveways and sidewalks, but they also surprise family and friends with designs.
“Traveled all over Buffalo writing chalk messages on the driveways of about 20 of our friends !!” wrote Jess Chapman. “It was so nice to see the faces of so many friends from afar.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nqKZrHUqd/
Hidden rocks
All you need is paint and a few stones from your garden to create a happy art that you can then hide in all clarity. Judy (@cleovantine) and her friend spotted some while out for a walk recently.
“Friend Nancy and I, halfway down our way, came across a stop sign and we found these wonderful memories for anyone to notice,” she wrote. “You have done your part and we thank you for your messages!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ESa1MJ2N3/
Instagrammer @ beeeleeev929 paints, disinfects, and distributes (with the help of her furry buddy River) these beautiful stones that happy neighbors can find.
“Spreading kindness, one stone at a time,” she wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_D6BeyDQhT/
Whether you’re staying home or doing an important job, keep your head up and look for those bright spots.
Comments are closed.