Volunteering is a powerful way to give back to the community while also growing as a person. I used to despise going outside and really just trying new things, along with my confidence being at its lowest level. One day a friend had dragged me to a full day of volunteering with her, and I hated to admit it but, it was one of the best days I had. Volunteering didn’t just support those in need, but it also helped me develop new skills, build confidence, and form meaningful connections.
Building Confidence
One of the many ways volunteering helped me was building my self confidence, at one point in my life it was so low, I never believed in my capabilities. As I did more volunteering projects, I got the opportunity to try new things and succeed in real-life situations. As I got to complete more tasks, solve problems, and most importantly saw the positive impacts in my self, I started to trust my abilities much more. Working with others and being appreciated by my efforts also helped me feel more capable and comfortable speaking up and taking initiative.
Improved Mental Health
As I entered high school, I felt so much more stressed and isolated. I always thought I never had the time to do anything else but school and extra curriculars. When I did my first volunteering project, it gave a sense of purpose and accomplishment and my mood was so much better. Now whenever that stressed and isolated feeling comes back, I sign myself up for any available project I see and get active in the community.
Sense of Responsibility
Whenever it came to time management and commitment, I never could do it. I never showed up on time, whether it was school or events I made a commitment to help out on, and it took me many volunteering projects to figure it out. I learned through each project that as other depend on you, you learn the importance of reliability and accountability. Overtime, I gained the ability to manage time and commitment, whether it was schoolwork or every day life, it was a skill that helped me be into the person I am today.
In Conclusion…
Volunteering is so much more than helping others, it can help grow confidence, responsibility, and emotional well being. From meaningful service to gaining a sense of purpose, volunteering can create a change in the lives of those who choose to give their time.