How to Use your Talents + Time for Community
What would it feel like to spend just 10% less time on media this month?
Admittedly, I’ve spent more time doomscrolling over the last year than usual. Anxiety is weird (yet totally predictable) like that.
But with the entire world ablaze, literally and figuratively, it can be easy to get sucked into a funk. Especially when it’s fed by a never-ending news feed.
Here’s my challenge, if you’re ready to try it on: Take 10% of the energy you would spend on media (social, news, or entertainment) and channel that into 10% more action for the greater good.
Because a rising tide lifts all ships.
Here are a few ideas:
🤍 Cook a porch drop off meal for a neighbor. A lot of us share a similar value in our upbringings — that food is best prepared with love and shared with generosity.
Does the elderly Mrs Jones across the hall never seem to have any visitors nor leave her place? I’m sure she would love a Pyrex of your famous spaghetti and meatballs. Bonus points if you offer to help her with any errands or household tasks once a week.
Did your son’s preschool teacher just have twins? She’s probably in the thick of it right now. See if you can bring over a couple freezer meals and a box of diapers, and perhaps take their dog on a quick trip to the park down the street.
🤍 Distribute non perishables and seasonal supplies to the unhoused community. The numbers of homeless individuals in cities across the US is staggering. The first thing we can do takes literally zero dollars: Acknowledge they exist and that they deserve empathy, regardless of circumstance.
Keep a case of bottled water and a box of energy bars in your car for easy distribution when you’re out and about. If you choose to give out canned goods, make sure they have pop-tops, as not all residents have access to can openers.
Purge your closet. We’re talking sweatshirts, pants, shoes, hats — it’s all fair game. I’m positive you can find at least 10 items you don’t even think about anymore, let alone wear regularly, that you could easily pass on to someone else in need.
Other supplies in regular need include feminine hygiene products, soap, blankets, sleeping mats, towels, sewing kits, duct tape, sunscreen, and good quality SOCKS.
🤍 Research a local nonprofit you align with and sign up to receive volunteer outreach info. This is a wonderful way to maximize your efforts. Whether you contribute time, money, or your talents, anything and everything goes a long way towards supporting their cause.
Love your local no-kill cat shelter? Offer your photography services once a month to feature animals on their Instagram or email list that desperately need a forever home.
Are you a child of immigrant parents and want to give the same opportunity to other families in crisis? Help design marketing materials for fundraisers and demonstrations, or offer translation services to help make their process more efficient and successful.
🤍 Contact your elected officials to fulfill the wishes of their constituents. They need to remember that they work for us. They represent the people. So much change needs to happen at the policy level, but our voices must be strong & consistent for that to begin.
Use your impeccable graphic design skills to create postcards or digital graphics for others to start and continue their outreach.
🤍 Reach out to a friend who has been unusually quiet. We’re all fighting silent battles and sometimes a simple check-in is the helping hand they need to know they aren’t alone.
If you or a loved one is in need of serious help, there are professional resources to offer 24/7 anonymous and confidential support:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
BetterHelp (virtual therapy with licensed practitioners)
No, these won’t solve the world’s problems. Even if you somehow commit to every single item!
But I guarantee that the slight switch, even for a day, will show you the potential of the impact you can really make for even just one person. By using your talents, your expertise, your basic humanity, for GOOD, you deepen your connection to your community. To other humans. To yourself.
Let’s go do some good in the world.