Being at home all the time these days can put a damper on your outlook. Even knowing that you’re doing the right thing and keeping yourself and others safe sometimes cannot be enough to feel genuinely excited about your day to day life. Boredom can easily set in when there is not much variety in your routine. That’s when you can turn to volunteering to not only make your community a better place, but also to help yourself feel more motivated and happy. Here are some ways volunteering can improve your day to day life.
1. Putting your focus on something positive
In these trying times when we are missing our old ways of doing things, it can be easy to slip into a negative thought pattern about your current circumstances. Instead of allowing those thoughts to take hold, put your focus on what you can do for others. Taking your focus off the bad and putting it on the good will do wonders to improve your mindset.
In addition to putting you in a better mood, your actions will make a big difference to someone else. You might help other people by doing their yard work, teaching them a skill, or picking up their groceries. Even just chatting virtually with them might help you both see that you are not alone in your feelings of pandemic fatigue! Realizing that many people are feeling the same way can help you feel more grounded and connected to others.
2. Making new friends
When travel is difficult and we are being advised to avoid groups, it can feel a little isolating. Volunteering, even virtually, can help you meet new people and get a sense of connection. One way to meet new friends is through volunteering for an organization you really believe in — a shared passion for a certain cause is a great basis for a friendship. Lots of great organizations have virtual meetings and online actions you can take to serve a worthy cause.
Another way is to volunteer to help new people directly, by running their errands, helping with their childcare, or another helpful task! You’ll be able to get to know people on a more personal level, and in assisting them with things they need, you’ll already be starting off on the right foot. Whether you bond through a shared interest in a group you are volunteering for or through helping them specifically, you can cut right through any potential awkwardness of meeting a new person for the first time and get right to making the kind of connection you might be missing these days!
3. Giving you a sense of purpose
Feeling a little lost or out of sorts because of all the changes this year? Maybe you lost a job due to the pandemic, or are just missing your regular routine and seeing your family and friends. It can be really challenging when you feel like you don’t know where to put your energy. Instead of sinking into negativity, bring out the best in yourself by spending your time and energy on helping someone who needs you. When you give yourself a new purpose, it can make you more excited to jump out of bed and get to your day. You’ll have a renewed reason to get going and you’ll have something positive to fill your time. Especially if you are not sure what your future holds at the moment, finding a sense of purpose is a great reason to start volunteering in your community.
4. Filling you with a sense of hope
It’s important to remember that our current times will not last forever, though sometimes it’s hard to put things in perspective. If you see sad stories in the news, it can make you feel like that is the whole picture, but if you go out and volunteer your time for something positive and helpful, you will likely find a renewed hopefulness. You’ll meet new people, receive gratitude from those you help, and see with your own eyes that there are lots of people doing wonderful things for their communities. As Mr. Rogers famously said, “Look for the helpers. You can always find people who are helping.”
