I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a good neighbor lately. It’s something I’ve been trying to put into practice in my own life, so I figured I’d share my little experiment with you all. Let me start from the begining.
Starting Simple
First off, I started small. A simple “hello” when I saw my neighbors. You know, making eye contact, and a little wave. Nothing crazy. I even tried to remember their names, I saw that old lady a few times so I asked for her name, turns out to be Mary. Turns out, just acknowledging people goes a long way.
And then, I tried to be a little more intentional. If I saw someone struggling with groceries, I’d offer to help. It was a bit awkward at first, ngl, but people are generally appreciative. That one time I helped Mary carry her bags, she told me about her grandkids. It was a nice little moment. It’s so simple, I thought I was so stupid and did not do that before.
Going the Extra Mile
Then things got interesting. One of my neighbors, an older guy named John, had his car break down. I’m no mechanic, but I know a thing or two, and I offered to take a look. Spent a couple of hours tinkering, turns out he needs to go to the mechnic and get a new one, but I managed to get it running for a short time and I drove him to the auto repair shop. He was super grateful. He even invited me in for coffee and offered me his pies when I got back.
There was also this one time during our community event, I volunteered to help set up and then clean up afterward. Met some new folks, had some laughs, and it felt good to contribute. It was tiring, sure, but worth it.
The Little Things That Count
But it’s not always about grand gestures. I started doing little things, like keeping an eye out for packages left on doorsteps and bringing them inside so they wouldn’t get stolen. Or if I saw that someone’s trash can had blown over, I’d pick it up. I helped them collect their mails too, if I knew they went on a vocation or something.
Here’s the thing. Being a good neighbor isn’t about being a doormat or a saint. It is not hard. It’s about being considerate, being present, and building those small connections. I tried to do that. And you know what? It’s made my little corner of the world a much nicer place to be.
I’ve gotten to know my neighbors better, we look out for each other, and there’s a real sense of community. So yeah, that’s my take on what you say to a good neighbor. You don’t just say something, you act, and you do something. You show them you care, through your actions, big and small. And it makes all the difference. It’s been a good run, and I’m gonna keep at it. Maybe you should try it too! I highly recommend that everyone do that!
