Introduction
I have really been remiss in updating this blog. I have about 7 draft blog posts that I’ve started and just haven’t come back to. In one of them, I have something like, “Time has been really relative since 2020.” Ain’t it the truth!
Well, one thing about this blog is that I’ve really moved away from blogging about tech, which was one of the original purposes of this blog. Actually, a big reason was to document projects for a Master’s program. But lately, I’ve found more interest and joy in writing about things related to the arts and culture, and my life in general: movies, museums, etc.
For this post, I wanted to write about something that has become a regular part of my life: volunteering, which I started doing a lot last year.
When I talk about it with other people, they typically say something like, “That’s great!” But truthfully, down inside, I always cringe a little bit. Not because they aren’t right. Volunteering is great — but sometimes I feel like my motivations for volunteering aren’t really all that generous and altruistic. In fact, sometimes they feel a bit selfish.
I’ve been thinking a little bit about the reasons I volunteer and what I get out of it. I decided to list some of the not so obvious reasons that volunteering provides that aren’t just doing nice things for other people. (I will share some obvious reasons, eventually!)
I initially planned to share all of my reasons all at once, but I’ve found that with more to write about, there are more opportunities to re-read and edit. This just delays publishing. So I’ve decided to share them one at time, or maybe more, so I can think about each part in more depth.
Joys of volunteering: reasons 1 – 2
Reason 1: Improve your small talk
Most of the time when I volunteer, it’s with people I’ve never met and often won’t meet again. Each project or session date is about 2-4 hours. I find it’s much more pleasant to introduce myself and get to quickly know the people I’ll be working with than to keep quiet and not say anything to anyone.
The most common topic we often talk about is asking each other if we’ve participated in the activity before. If the activity is outside, we might talk about the weather. Once, another participant had a T-shirt with a well-known logo, so I asked her about her shirt. Another person might mention their spouse, kids, pets, or their neighborhood and that leads to conversation. Or maybe we comment on the work itself.
Sometimes, the activity involves serving other people, like working with seniors or kids. This is also another chance to talk with people who are different from you and find ways to connect. I’ve learned that seniors and the differently abled are really the same as everyone else, but the way they express themselves is different because of their cognitive or physical differences.
Repeatedly volunteering has been a really good way to practice small talk and learn how to break the ice. I feel more comfortable making small talk now than before.
Reason 2: Practice punctuality
I am a card-carrying tidsoptimist. This means I tend to overestimate how much time I have or underestimate how much time a task takes, so it can lead to lateness or maybe a task takes longer to complete than I initially estimated.
Although my time optimism is in my nature, its not good to be late all the time, especially when meeting with other people. I made it a point in 2023 and in 2024 to focus on my punctuality. Not only to improve how others saw me, but also to shut up that voice in my head that berates me for being late all the time.
Part of my solution for this has been to make early morning doctor or dentist appointments and volunteer for activities that start early. It’s been an excellent motivator for me because…who wants to be late to a soup kitchen?
I’m someone who signs up for different activities vs picking the same one over and over, so the volunteer activities have occurred all over the city. Sometimes more than an hour away. I’ve learned to plan ahead by actually mapping out the route ahead of time rather than assume I know the route. So far, my plan is working. I recently joined a volunteer activity that had an 8:45 AM start time!
And I made it. Go me! Here’s a nice photo from that day.
In summary, reasons 1 and 2 are improving small talk and practicing punctuality. Check back again for additional reasons to volunteer and, if you’re so motivated, get out there and volunteer!