Does making new buddies, boosting your self-confidence, connecting with your community, and getting in good with the universe entice you? If so, you need to start volunteering. We all have a million excuses not to volunteer, from diapering our French bulldogs to refurbishing our patio furniture. But the truth is, the social and personal benefits of volunteering are unparalleled. The trickiest part is to find the motivation to get your sweatpants-clad booty off the sofa and into your community. In order to motivate you, here are some common (and not so valid) excuses given by those who do not volunteer:
I have no time/I am so incredibly busy.
This is the most common excuse people spew out when asked why they do not volunteer. First of all, come on. At least offer some originality. If we were all really as busy as we pretend to be, we would barely make it to the potty on a daily basis. Get started by picking apart your week. How many hours do you watch TV? Can you donate two of those hours to your community? Consider starting small. Pick one Saturday, Sunday, or evening a month to volunteer. Look at your priorities and evaluate how you spend your time. How much of your week is dedicated to giving back to your community?
I am so tired after working nine to five Monday through Friday.
Getting out of your apartment, interacting with others, and actually doing something besides watching America’s Next Top Model marathons on VH-1 every weeknight will reenergize you. You will become more centered and cultivate a greater sense of purpose in your life. It’s like working out: we all complain we are too lazy and tired to work out, but once we get in the habit of it, it becomes an invigorating part of our lifestyle.
I don’t have anybody to go with me.
You know that girlfriend who always says you never have time for her? Bring her. Bring your mother, bring your lover, or bring your pessimistic co-worker. Think of it as an opportunity to reconnect with your favorite people in a way that does not include throwing around cash or chowing down. Better yet, do it alone. You will definitely meet other fascinating individuals with similar interests. My friend Sara met her fiancé when volunteering at Houston’s superdome after Hurricane Katrina. If you are in a new city and looking to meet new people, volunteering is an amazing way to make connections.
