At the end of last year, just before Christmas, I was asked to give a presentation about how volunteering and actnow have had a positive impact on my mental health and wellbeing.
At first, I thought it would be easy as to speak about that…I honestly thought I could wing it so I whipped up a little 2min speech the day before and when I read it out and presented it to the group I felt it sounded way too simple.
The presentation basically consisted of - Alex lost/sad, started volunteering and became happy…
Since then, everyday I’ve been thinking about presentation more and more and now I’m convinced that there was more I should’ve mentioned.
The main point that I missed was how volunteering has made me a happier person. I think it is personal development and growth that makes someone feel better about themselves.
On days when I laze around and achieve nothing, I don’t sleep as well as days when I do something/anything, it could be learning something new at work or maybe doing something nice? I think achieving goals, big or small are the things that keep me happy.
I remember when I first started volunteering with ALIV, I was known as the shy boy who had neat handwriting. Two years on, I think I’m known more as the guy with too many lame jokes (but who still has neat handwriting). Volunteering with ALIV I’m constantly being pushed to try new things, talk to new people and being assigned responsibility. These are the things that keep me moving, learning and give me confidence, and that’s why volunteering has a positive effect on my wellbeing
So I guess if I ever need to do the same presentation again, I’ll make sure I go to this page (and not wing it!)
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© 2008. First published on actnow.com.au
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