10 personality traits that show you’re a kind and compassionate person

Are you the type of person who always goes out of your way to help others, even if it means sacrificing your own time and energy?

If so, you might just be a kind and compassionate person.

In this article, we’ll be sharing 10 signs that you’re someone who truly cares about others and wants to make the world a better place.

From always putting others first to consistently showing empathy and understanding, these are the traits that separate truly compassionate individuals from the rest.

So, if you recognize yourself in any of these signs, pat yourself on the back and keep up the good work! You’re making a difference in the world, one kind act at a time.

1. You put others first

The first sign that you’re a kind and compassionate person is that you always put others first.

Even if you’re running out of time and energy, you’re still willing to go out of your way to help others.

You don’t do this for approval, or to feel good about yourself. You do this because it’s natural for you to think of other people.

You may volunteer to help those in need, or you may simply go out of your way to make sure that people around you are happy and comfortable.

This extends to your interactions with others as well.

You don’t put others down in conversation or try to one-up them to make yourself look better.

Instead, your natural inclination is to make others feel good in your presence.

According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, a renowned expert on the science of compassion, experiencing empathy almost makes it almost impossible not to help, which is why it may be so natural for you to put others first. t/

“Empathy moves us to share in another’s pain, to really see the world through their eyes. When we do, it very often changes the kind of decisions and actions we take. When empathy is in full bloom, many things change and it does become almost impossible not to help.”

2. You understand where others are coming from

Are you able to see things from other people’s perspectives? Can you feel what others are feeling?

If you can answer yes to those questions, then it’s likely that you have a high degree of empathy.

This also means that you’re good at listening to others and putting yourself in their shoes to give them tailored advice for their specific situation.

Not only are you able to connect with others on a deep level, but people feel comfortable expressing themselves to you because they feel like they’re being heard.

“Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.” – Daniel H. Pink

3. You respect everyone

Another sign that you’re a compassionate person is that you treat others the way they want to be treated.

You don’t try to talk yourself up so you appear better than others.

They don’t talk down to others in a condescending manner. You treat people, no matter who they are on the same level as you.

This makes you relaxing to be around because they know you’re not judging them or trying to one-up them.

After all:

When you show respect to others, you acknowledge their inherent worth as human beings and you treat them with the dignity and kindness they deserve.

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

4. You’re forgiving and non-judgmental

If you’re a compassionate person, then you’re probably forgiving and non-judgmental.

You’re willing to let go of grudges and forgive others for their mistakes.

After all:

You realize that we all make mistakes and it is imperative that we move on and let go of negative feelings.

You’re also not judgmental, which means you don’t judge others based on superficial traits like appearances or accents.

This fits with your natural inclination to not make others feel uncomfortable.

When we hold grudges or judge others harshly, we create tension and make others feel uncomfortable.

This is why people always feel welcome when you’re around because you’re accepting of others.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

5. You show compassion to yourself

This trait is often forgotten when talking about the traits of compassionate people, but it’s a crucial one.

When we reflect on our past mistakes, we have the tendency to judge ourselves; to call ourselves out. “Oh, I was so stupid! How could I have done that?”

While it’s normal to admit moments when you weren’t acting your best, you realize that it’s important to show yourself the compassion that you deserve, before you can express authentic compassion to others.

Being compassionate isn’t just about how you act with others, but it also means taking care of yourself — all parts of yourself.

You liberate yourself from the pain of your past so that you can return to the present moment, where you are in total control of your next action.

It isn’t easy being compassionate towards yourself, so if you’re having trouble being compassionate with yourself, check out this piece of advice from self-compassion expert, Kristin Neff, in her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. 

“Whenever I notice something about myself I don’t like, or whenever something goes wrong in my life, I silently repeat the following phrases: This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.”

6. You show your gratitude

Much of what can be accomplished in life can only be done with the help of others, even if it’s a project of one’s own.

There is always going to be someone to help you out or even give you the moral support that you need to overcome your challenges.

You never forget that.

You don’t take things for granted. In every one of your experiences, you always find something to be grateful for.

In failure, you can show your thanks by taking it as a free lesson given by life to help you improve in the future.

Or when you succeed, it can be the test of your humility.

You don’t boast about what they you because they know that it wasn’t all you.

Knowing that you wouldn’t be able to go through life without the support of friends and family keeps your feet on the ground.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie

7. You’re considerate of others

It’s common for people to mind their own business.

They keep their head down, glued to their computers in the office, and focused on accomplishing their own tasks for the day.

Nothing wrong with that.

But there would be times when someone might be visibly struggling.

They stare at their computer screen blankly or they’ve found themselves surrounded by a garden of crumpled paper.

While others might look and say “Glad I’m not that person” or even ignore them and focus on their own tasks, you act otherwise.

Since you are sensitive to other people’s feelings, you can detect when someone is in need of some support.

You’re always willing to set aside what you’re doing and lend a helping hand.

“Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society.” – Confucius

8. You’re a good mediator

In the event an argument breaks out among their coworkers or friends, you are more than willing to step in.

You want to restore the order and do your part in resolving the issue.

You don’t take either side; instead, you choose to be on the side of mutual understanding and a harmonious relationship.

You set aside your own opinions of the situation to view it clearly.

You talk to each person involved to get either side, listening as objectively as you can.

You’re not trying to be the judge — you’re trying to help each party come to an agreement calmly.

You can also understand when an argument isn’t for you to step in for; when the problem is deeply personal between the two.

You know that there are some things that you don’t need to be a part of.

“Objectivity is the ability to separate facts from opinions, to see things as they are, rather than how we want them to be. It is the foundation of good decision-making and critical thinking.”

9. You accept responsibility for what you do

One of the underrated signs you’re a kind-hearted and genuine person is that you never duck responsibility.

If you do a project or agree to a deal you stick by it and accept responsibility, rain or shine.

If it succeeds then great, if it fails then damn.

But either way, you’re not going to pass the buck on someone else or try to twist it in some way.

You accept responsibility for what you do because you know that it’s only by fulling standing behind your work and your actions that you’re ever going to move forward in life and build accountability with others and with yourself.

You accept responsibility because you know that life is better for everyone when there’s full transparency.

10. You praise other people

You don’t feel insecure when someone close to you gets promoted or earns a special award.

Instead, you celebrate your friends’ achievements. You freely support others without cultivating jealousy or resentment.

Self-comparison isn’t something that you do. You don’t need it.

You measure your worth on your own metric based on your own efforts, not based on who earns the most or gets the award first.