Giving Back: Making Volunteering a Lifestyle

Hi,

How do you feel when you render help to someone and you see a broad smile that extends to both sides of the cheeks? For me, I feel a sense of fulfilment and excitement, it gives me some form of high that makes me seek more healthy ways of rendering assistance to people and animals. Kindly indulge me in the comment section with how it makes you feel.

A very interesting and often ignored topic is what we will be discussing today, one that I love so much! It is all about giving back as a lifestyle, Breathe! Lol, it is not all about giving out money; we are talking about much more: your time, skills, knowledge, in fact, all of you. Yeah, you read right, giving back has to be an intentional act; it may involve giving all of you, but of course, with boundaries to avoid being overwhelmed with the burden of care and missing out on all other aspects of life.

Giving Back seems imperative because, many times, people do not seem to make an active effort to see the betterment of themselves, family, friends, neighbours or the community at large. Did you know that volunteering offers an inimitable chance for growth and excitement? The act of helping others can lead to a phenomenon known as the “helper’s high,” which is linked to reduced stress and an increase in happiness.

By leaving your comfort zone and tackling real-world problems, you enhance your ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead. Engaging in volunteering fosters a sense of responsibility and a longing to contribute to constructive change, which can have across-the-board effects on community welfare and personal growth. Moreover, as you relate with different individuals and groups, volunteering becomes a profound way to build relationships and widen your network.

As with any other tasks an individual engages in, there will always be some challenges that present themselves when one volunteers. Knowing how best to handle or overcome these challenges will go a long way in relieving some form of stress that comes with the urge to do more in order to keep experiencing the “helpers high”.

In the volunteering space, time management and emotional resilience are some of the key things we can use to overcome most challenges, as they help maximize our voluntary support and growth. Time management is really essential as it allows an individual to balance personal, voluntary and professional obligations without having to default, get overwhelmed or feel stressed out; the vital thing is to be realistic with time allocation to activities and plan ahead. Emotional resilience is important because volunteering can expose an individual to situations that require emotional strength and compassion, having this skill can help one respond to likely situations with adequate care and not feel strained.

Volunteering offers a combination of philanthropy and practicality, aiding individuals to contribute to their communities while concurrently elevating their own skill sets and experiences. In doing so, it sets in motion a chain reaction that benefits not just our communities but also our own development and happiness. However, before you can get started, you need to know what interests you, look for opportunities that match your interest, and align the opportunity with your schedule so you’re not burnt out. Volunteering is a powerful catalyst for positive change. Volunteering is a noteworthy demonstration that has the ability to change lives, communities and the world; it serves a dual purpose of uplifting both others and ourselves.

Are you thinking of volunteering now? You need to be able to determine what you genuinely care about, know the skills and knowledge you are willing to offer, and go ahead and create that resume; of course, it is also important you do research on virtual or physical volunteer opportunities, apply and follow up. Once you have gotten the required opportunity, make sure to uphold professionalism, integrity and honesty. You also need to regularly assess and reassess your work and experiences for more improvement.

Some key qualities to note while applying for volunteering positions are: Reliability, team spirit, patience, passion, compassion, time management, strong work ethics and the drive to learn.

In summary, volunteering is the foundation of many philanthropic efforts, providing support to those in need and contributing to the greater good. Each time you lend a hand, you’re contributing to a wealth of support and care that enhances the lives of everyone involved.

Remember, Volunteerism isn’t just about the energy you put in; it’s also about the knowledge and growth that comes back to you. It might seem like a small input, but the joint impact of volunteers around the world is enormous. Whatever may be your interests or abilities, there is an opportunity out there to volunteer that not only helps others but also supports your own personal and professional development.

Dear amazing readers, I nudge you to put yourself out there, make volunteering your lifestyle, and experience the beauty of the change you create. Take the chance and make the change. See you at a later time with news of your impact!

Written by Chioma Uhuegbu

Clinical Psychologist