5 Micro-Gestures That Actually Make A Difference, According To A Social Activist 

In other words, we can focus on micro-gestures to lessen the burden on homeless and hungry individuals, which in turn creates a chain reaction of positivity and love. What do we mean? Let Gaston explain below. 

Approaching the problem from a bottom-up perspective can help empower you to make real, efficient change, rather than succumbing to the overwhelming weight of the issue. "It's easy to be overwhelmed if we're frozen, if we're not doing anything toward something better," notes Gaston. That said, think of micro-gestures as daily opportunities to curate kind, loving interactions. According to Gaston, restoring a sense of love helps a lot more than you think.

Below, find the small acts Gaston does on the daily: 

"You normalize the idea of just being caring," she explains. "You're taking what you do with your family and your [household], and you're bringing it to strangers." 

If you live in a driving city, perhaps keep a case of water bottles in your car (much easier than carrying them around all day). Ask people if they're parched and/or warm, and hand them out. 

"I always have one or two granola bars in my purse," Gaston says. They're small and portable enough to fit in a day bag, yet you can find filling options that pack in nutrients. A simple phrase like, Are you hungry? I have an extra granola bar is so simple, but it can make someone's entire day. 

Gaston recommends keeping small bills on hand, just in case you're near a restaurant, coffee shop, or gas station. Something as little as five dollars can truly make a big difference: "You can still be intentional," says Gaston. "'Hey, I hope this can help you later. Here's five dollars—this is what I had in my bag.' But I put it in my bag with the intention that I'm going to help someone wherever I'm at." 

"I see people who you can tell have had a hard day, and I ask them, 'Are you OK? Is there something I can do to help you? What's your name?' These are small things, and it shifts dialogue; it restores humanity." 

With micro-gestures, you can help fight homelessness and hunger without becoming overwhelmed by the complexity of the issues. As Gaston notes, "I'm not changing the world as a whole. I'm changing my corner of it."