Whenever I’m doomscrolling on social media, I inevitably am drawn into the black hole of nihilism content. People, especially Americans, look at the world around them and don’t like what they see. And they feel powerless to do anything. The problems seem so big and it makes us feel so small that it can feel pointless to do anything at all. But that’s wrong! You can make a difference! And the biggest changes start with tiny baby steps.
Step 1: Commit to Something
The first step is to decide you want to do something. It seems obvious, but looking at the world around you, you’ll find there’s a lot of things you’d like to see change. And it can be paralyzing to see how big some of the problems of the world are. What can one person do? Well, it’s easiest to start small, start personal, and start local. Picking something achievable helps you build new networks of other motivated people and can help your ideas gain momentum.
For me, I started with the arts. As a lifelong artist, I am very intimately familiar with how important arts and culture are to the fabric of society and the benefits they have for our wellbeing. I live in a town, so for me, it was as easy as applying to the Arts Council, which is associated with the Town Council (more on that in this other blog). If you live in a city, municipal governance might have a higher threshold for entry. So, consider looking at local advocacy groups and nonprofits.
How to Find a Cause
Start with what you care about. Your morals, your hobbies, your experiences. Are you religious, a veteran, a vegetarian? Focus on one issue that sticks out to you. Try looking at local bulletin boards at your grocery store or the library to find groups that are already in your area.
Places that always need volunteers:
- Senior centers & meals on wheels services
- halfway houses & domestic abuse support centers
- libraries
- VFW halls & veterans services
- food banks, social services, & homeless shelters
- town councils & committees
- animal shelters
- school & youth events
Step 2: Just Do It ✅
Once you’ve found a cause you want to support, you need to decide what you want to contribute. There are a lot of ways to contribute and you can do as much or as little as you want. Passive support, like donating to a food drive or posting on social media are great and necessary. But the things that need the most help are going to be more time consuming, and usually in-person.
What Can You Contribute?
- Manual Labor ex: trash pickups, raking leaves, cleaning services
- Skill-based ex: mending, social media posts, cooking
- Social ex: phone banking, youth mentoring, door-knocking
- Financial ex: recurring donations to non-profits, donating food/clothing to food pantries or shelters, liaising with event funders
- Educational ex: teaching skill-based classes, story time at libraries
- Organizational ex: filling out paperwork for events, attending organization meetings, organizing protests
The hardest part in getting involved is taking the first step. Swallow your fear and anxiety and just go for it. It may feel insurmountable, but you can join most volunteer organizations by sending an email. For local governance positions, you may need to fill out an application or get your confirmation notarized. Remember, there are people who want to help you, just ask!
Step 3: Profit?
I can’t overstate how satisfying it is to help out. There’s the obvious benefit of the actual target objective, whether it’s a trash pickup or running food to the elderly. Your actions are making an impact for the better. You really start getting those warm and fuzzy feelings the more you do.
And there’s more! You grow your social skills, get more comfortable trying new things, and learn new skills. When you attend events, you inevitably meet new people. You build connections, meet neighbors, and expand your network. That could lead you anywhere from a dinner party to a new job. The more you do, the more you get back. And when you are the one that needs help, you’ll have all of the support of the community you built. Take your first step and you’ll be surprised where the momentum takes you.
