Volunteering

[ThereIsAField]

I've just come home from volunteering at the local animal shelter and thought I'd start a thread about the topic.

I've always found volunteer work to be a very magical healing device in life's toughest moments and phases.

I dunno why, but giving something to others, in a moment where you feel like you've got "nothing left to give" because you are so empty, so needy, so lost... Something about that paradoxical dynamic... giving when you yourself need all the help in the world... can be deeply healing and help to turn very difficult life situations around.

It can help to restore a sense of purpose and belonging, help restore battered self-esteem.

Something about not hyper-focussing on one's own losses and grief, but vividly experiencing that the people/ animals/ ecology you're helping via volunteer work - that their plight is difficult too - that everyone struggles and needs help - can be healing in a way that mere words or thoughts often can't.

Also, I've found that by giving help... it can also become much easier to accept help from others in our turn. Many of us struggle to accept help because it can feel so unsettling to go from someone who's independent to suddenly being someone in need of help.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share the magic power of volunteer work and maybe inspire people to at least think about areas of volunteer work in which they could consider dipping their toes to see if it helps them.

[KayC]

I 1,000% agree, that's why it's in my tips article.  If I lived closer to a shelter or rescue, that's what I'd do, but now with my hand injuries, that's out, but I am so glad you've signed up for this and enjoy it!  

[RichS]

9 hours ago, ThereIsAField said:

Something about not hyper-focussing on one's own losses and grief, but vividly experiencing that the people/ animals/ ecology you're helping via volunteer work - that their plight is difficult too - that everyone struggles and needs help - can be healing in a way that mere words or thoughts often can't.

I can really relate to that. Helping others helps me to take my mind off of my own situation. For the last few weeks, a yellow stray cat (with a collar) has been wandering into our yard from time to time. My son says the cat is friendly, but it feels like skin and bones; so we feed it.

[widower2]

Totally agree. I did some animal shelter volunteering in those early days (when I was unemployed) too. It's a great idea IMO for reasons you said, plus it gets you out of the house and focusing on something else. And I love animals so there's that.