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Back in school, volunteering was just part of life. Catholic school K-12, then a sorority in college, I was always fundraising for something, logging service hours, part of some club doing good in the community.
But once I got into the real working world, that all kind of stopped.
Sure, startup culture had the occasional charity 5K or company volunteer day. But in the last five years (working remotely, then becoming a solopreneur) it just disappeared completely.
These past few months, I’ve been asking myself: what would actually bring you joy? And the answer kept coming back to volunteering. Giving back. Connecting with people in a real, human way.
It’s funny because when I got laid off and started my consulting journey, I made myself a promise. I was going to keep donating and tithing to the organizations I’d committed to, even if I was unemployed or struggling to get new clients. As a Christian, I believe that when you give, it comes back to you. I’ve also read The Go-Giver, and energetically, I felt like by giving, I was telling the universe I trusted in abundance. And ever since that day? The money has always shown up. Even when the math said it shouldn’t.
That little action reminded me that life isn’t just about career milestones and achievement metrics. For me, happiness and success mean having the freedom to be more human and connect with other humans.
The reason I’ve been dodging it
I avoided it for longer than I’d like to admit, and the reason was selfish.
I’m an empath. I’ll cry at an animal shelter within 60 seconds. I’ll adopt a third dog when I already have two special-needs ones. I’ll spiral on the drive home from a soup kitchen. So I told myself not yet, not ready, too heavy.
That’s called protecting your emotional health. It’s also called avoiding the thing you know will fill you back up.
So here’s what I’m doing
Starting in April, I’m committing to volunteer the first Saturday (or Sunday) of every month at a different organization. I’ve already blocked it off in my calendar. Each month has a different focus (political organizations, women’s support groups, animal rescues, organizations that help kids, environmental groups). I picked different categories so I don’t burn out on one cause and so I can see where I connect most.
If you work at a company, push for paid volunteer time off
Research shows that 96% of employees who participate in corporate volunteerism report having a positive company culture. Companies with paid volunteer days also see better talent retention. 72% of employees are more likely to apply for a job at an organization they believe is socially responsible, and 71% say societal impact factors are a strong expectation or deal breaker.
These programs also attract socially-minded customers and strengthen your company’s reputation in the community.
Plus, volunteering builds real skills. Employee volunteers in a study were more likely to feel they had opportunities to grow professionally and develop new skills at work.
If your company doesn’t offer paid volunteer time off, bring it up. Send this article to your manager. Make the business case.
It’s worth it tenfold
I know getting started can feel a little intimidating, and because volunteering is so simple to set up, it’s also really easy to keep pushing it off. There’s always next month, right?
But here’s what we both know: volunteering is one of those rare things that actually fills you back up while you’re giving. Whatever energy, time, or heart you put into it? You get back tenfold. And with the state of the world feeling heavy right now, I think this might be the renewed faith in humanity we all need.
So try it with me. Just one month. Pick one organization to volunteer at in May and reply to this email to tell me what you’re committing to. I want to know where you’re showing up!
We’re not trying to save the world. We’re just helping our local neighbors and community with a little bit of our time and our unique gifts. That’s enough.
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