Think You Can’t Make a Difference? Think Again
By Jasmine Clark, Live Well Enhance You Contributing Writer
Heard any bad news lately? I’m guessing probably so. You may feel weighed down by all the bad news out there, whether in your local area or around the world. And then you may think, “Why won’t someone do something about it?” But the message of Make a Difference Day is that you can “do something” too. In fact, you can do even more than you think you can.
Make a Difference Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in October. Doing something to make a positive impact not only helps others –it helps you feel better too. There are lots of reasons to make a difference to benefit the world around you. But there are also myths that get in the way…
Myths about making a difference
When it comes to making a difference, many people are less than enthusiastic. They feel discouraged because they believe popular myths such as:
“You have to have a lot of money to make a difference.” Thankfully this isn’t true. Small donations matter. Give your small donation to a worthy cause – small donations from many people add up to something big. Also, you can donate your time if you’re unable to donate money. Look up nonprofit organizations in your area and see where you can volunteer your time.
“I’m too busy. I don’t have time.” I get it. When you’re stressed out by your own life, it’s hard to think about adding one more thing to your plate. But there are surprising studies that show that when you use your time to benefit others instead of yourself, you perceive yourself as having more time. In other words, giving away your time makes you feel like you have more of it!
“I don’t have special skills, so there’s not much I can do.” Making a difference isn’t about being an expert and having the highest skill level. It’s more about your attitude. Do you care about others? Do you want to help people who are suffering? Are you a good listener who treats people with kindness and empathy? Those are the most important skills you need.
“Lots of other people are donating/volunteering, so I’m not needed.” Of course, there are many other people who volunteer, donate to charity, and do all kinds of good deeds. But that isn’t a reason not to do those things yourself. You are unique and you have something to contribute to the world in a way no one else can. So don’t just sit on the sidelines… get in the game!
“I’m just one person, so I can’t make a difference.” Everyone is “just one person.” If everyone refused to try to do anything positive because they were “just one person,” nothing would ever get done. You can’t accomplish everything by yourself, but you can accomplish something. And don’t forget, kindness is contagious. You have the power to influence people around you to make a difference.
Benefits of volunteering
There’s an ironic truth about volunteering: It’s about helping others, but at the same time, you’re also helping yourself. These are some of the ways volunteering benefits you:
Better mental health - Volunteering can improve your mental health because helping others boosts hormones like dopamine that make you feel good emotionally. Studies have demonstrated the mental health benefits of volunteering. The Royal Voluntary Service in the UK surveyed its volunteers and more than 80% said that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing.
Better physical health - Did you know that volunteering can lower your blood pressure? The feel-good effect of helping others causes you to feel less stressed and more calm, which reduces your blood pressure. Another way volunteering improves your physical health is that it can be a way to exercise. There are many ways to make a difference and get your body moving at the same time – for example, helping someone repair their home after a storm, cleaning up a park, or leading children’s activities.
New connections - When you volunteer, you meet new people and form new friendships. Friendship works wonders for your mental and physical health. In addition, volunteering allows you to grow your professional network because the people you meet can become references for you and connect you with job opportunities.
Skill improvement - Volunteering is a good way to learn new skills and sharpen skills you already have. Those skills could help you get a job in the future. Plus, you’ll have more self-confidence because you’ll know that you’re learning and growing.
Bigger sense of purpose - When you help others, you gain a deeper sense of purpose for your life because you become a part of something bigger than yourself. This is especially important if you’ve been feeling sad and unmotivated lately. Doing things to help others is often more satisfying than doing things for yourself, and that’s because of the deep sense of fulfillment and purpose you get.
How can you make a difference?
So how exactly should you make a difference on Make a Difference Day and beyond? There’s no right or wrong answer. Do what feels right to you. Choose a way to make a difference that aligns with your personality and interests. Here are a few ideas:
Browse VolunteerMatch - VolunteerMatch is a website where you can find volunteer opportunities in your local area. You can also look up online volunteer opportunities there, allowing you to volunteer from home for an organization far away from you.
Donate to charity - Donating to charity is a fast and easy way to make a difference. But there are tons of charities out there, so it may be hard to choose. Charity Navigator contains information and ratings for a variety of charities. The BBB is another organization that has a charity rating system and directory.
Encourage your employer to sponsor a volunteer day - Talk to your employer about ways your company can give back to the community, such as a volunteer day or donations. Your company may already have some kind of volunteer program in place, or if not, ask about creating one!
Think about your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers - Is there someone you know who needs a little help? Maybe they’ve been sick recently. Maybe they’re burned out and overwhelmed. Maybe they’re lonely. Pay attention to the people around you and think about ways you can show kindness.
If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: Don’t believe the myths about why you supposedly can’t make a difference. There really is something you can do to make the world a little better. Instead of being a person who says “There’s nothing I can do,” be a person who helps others and inspires others to make a difference!
Jasmine Clark is a freelance writer from North Carolina. She enjoys writing about topics such as stress relief and positive thinking. She likes to encourage others to find ways to calm down and relax. In her spare time, she loves to write fiction stories and watch TV and YouTube. You can find her on Instagram @cozysachi.
