Jessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman go from 40 days of dating to making us kinder people in 12 easy steps

From the people who brought you 40 Days of Dating, Jessica Walsh (also one-half of that little agency Sagmeister Walsh) and Timothy Goodman comes a new project based on the 12-step recovery programme. Entitled 12 Kinds of Kindness, the project is dubbed a “12 step experiment designed to open our hearts, eyes and minds.” Tim explains: “We realised that we’re two self-centered millennials, often focused on what’s ahead instead of what’s around us, so we created a series of 12 steps as a way to become kinder, more empathetic people.”

Much like the 12-step recovery programme used to help substance abusers and alcoholics, the project uses a “vow” and features one “step” each month. It’s not just for Tim and Jessica, though, as others are invited to participate in what Tim calls a “sort of a modern day, non-religious way that any one can attempt to examine their lives and apathy and attempt to become kinder.”

12 Kinds of Kindness exists as a website where users can click through the various steps to access a gif and text from Jessica and Tim that show how they followed a certain step, what they hoped to achieve, and suggesting how other people can make it their own.

“You’ll find the first few steps more lighthearted, and as the journey continues, some will become more intense and deeply personal,” the pair says. “Towards the end of the project, we’ll start to apply some of what we’ve learned and attempt to put kindness back out into the world.

“We’d love for you to participate in this 12-step journey with us. Step one is all about honesty: admitting to apathy or selfishness, or your desire to become kinder and more aware. Start more conversations with people outside your social circles. Listen to people. Offer to help.”