I Give Up!!.....

[FlynnRyder]

for the longest time, I have been putting off volunteering. I have been unemployed for quite some time, and one day, it just hit me, I decided that I should pursue volunteering opportunities. There's so much wrong with the world, in our communities, and I want to pitch in. I want to be part of the solution. I dont want to spend my life as a drone, making money for someone who doesnt appreciate. i want to be a a part of something that is going to mean something. So, starting Monday, I called around every organization in my area, trying to see what I would need to just start the process going. unfortunately, it's the bureaucratic b.s. that I deal with in with in trying to gain employment: unmanned phones, unanswered messages, promises to call back only to never call back etc. One organization is even asking for money for me to join the organization. thats what my life has become. people dont even want my services for free. Fine, I tried to do the noble thing, but if you dont want my help, I wont give it. Just know, I am only looking out for me and mine. everyone else can kick rocks. thats how I am feeling right now.

 

[Finished]

The world is a mess right now. You might want to find something you really would like doing and then going in person. Maybe give it one more shot. Then if they don't happily accept you, screw them all.

 

[okidoke]

Yes it can be hard giving yourself to such organisations. I found that too years ago, even when I was really young. After retiring back in 2017, and then getting myself back to good mental and physical health, I want to again do something worthy with my time, and socialise a bit and feel a part of the community, so I've just applied to work in the gardens of a local buddhist temple. They emailed me back the other day to say they'll call me this coming week for a little chat. It's peaceful there. No pressure. Close by. Maybe just have a wander around your neighbourhood and see what's available, and approach them in person, so they can see your enthusiasm and sincerity. Good luck.

 

[FlynnRyder]

Yes it can be hard giving yourself to such organisations. I found that too years ago, even when I was really young. After retiring back in 2017, and then getting myself back to good mental and physical health, I want to again do something worthy with my time, and socialise a bit and feel a part of the community, so I've just applied to work in the gardens of a local buddhist temple. They emailed me back the other day to say they'll call me this coming week for a little chat. It's peaceful there. No pressure. Close by. Maybe just have a wander around you neighbourhood and see what's available, and approach them in person, so they can see your enthusiasm and sincerity. Good luck.

at this point, I am so put off by the way I have been treated, in my job search and in my volunteer search, that I am just going to cut my losses and focus on the thing that will just enrich me, my job search. time is an issue. distance is an issue. transportation is an issue. I have very few resources, so I need it simple, and quite frankly, it should be simple. This experience has just reiterated what I have already known: People are fake, people are phony, everybody only cares about themselves, and even the people who appear noble have ulterior motives.

There's gatekeeping at every turn: gatekeeping jobs, gatekeeping healthcare, gatekeeping education, gatekeeping goods and resources, gatekeeping shelter. there are so many things going on in this world and it is being kept away from me, including the chance to WORK FOR FREE. I am just so tired of it. I want out.

 

[Forgottendanfan]

I spent some time doing voluntary work when I was a teenager. I wanted to help a good cause, but also maybe use it as an opportunity to make a few friends. I made no friends from the process and one day the realisation hit me that I was doing almost the same amount of work as a couple of paid members of staff, only I was giving my services for free. I quit the job and never looked back. I wouldn't ever do volunteering again unless the cause was something I felt super passionate about and the ratio of work between volunteers and paid staff was fair. For the most part, it's a thankless and fruitless endeavour.

 

[FlynnRyder]

I spent some time doing voluntary work when I was a teenager. I wanted to help a good cause, but also maybe use it as an opportunity to make a few friends. I made no friends from the process and one day the realisation hit me that I was doing almost the same amount of work as a couple of paid members of staff, only I was giving my services for free. I quit the job and never looked back. I wouldn't ever do volunteering again unless the cause was something I felt super passionate about and the ratio of work between volunteers and paid staff was fair. For the most part, it's a thankless and fruitless endeavour.

thanks for confirming my suspicions

 

[okidoke]

I want out.

Of what, life? Yeah, sure, you could opt for that and the world wouldn’t notice your absence for the most part, but why give it the satisfaction? You have the right to live on this planet like anyone else. People keep saying that everyone is this bad thing or another, but we all know that’s not true, because look how many are nice on here for a start. We just have to find such people. Mostly we’re just giving up too easily or making too many excuses to better our situations. People find it easier to give up, to not bother trying, to take their life. Humans are so flawed, but we also have amazing capabilities.

 

[TropicalStarfish]

Volunteer work is supposed to be an act of giving. If you are doing volunteer work, to get something out of it, you aren't really volunteering, as much as gambling on the possibility of getting something in return for your efforts. And if that's what you are doing, then, yeah, you probably shouldn't volunteer. Not that volunteering, in the hopes of making friends, or what not, is a bad thing; but, simply that, if it's not paying off, why do it?

Not to mention the politics of people, and all that can surround such activities. And also not to mention, a lot of volunteer work is centered around organizations and aims that are possibly completely fruitless at best, or counter-productive to the well being of mankind to begin with.

I think that's kind of why it's best to volunteer for something you A: believe in, and B: are passionate about. The question is, whether it's possible to find such an opportunity at all. Supposing you do find something that satisfies A: and B:, well then, it won't matter if you make friends or not, you will be happy to have helped; and if you do meet people and make friends, that's a bonus.

Working at a soup kitchen seems a pretty neutral and noble cause; though, it may not be worth investing the time, if they don't really need the help, and are well staffed with volunteers already.

Lastly, it takes time to meet people. Supposing you did find agreeable volunteer work, or even paid work, connections won't just fall in your lap. If any connections happen at all, it may take months, maybe even years, before some one comes along who is agreeable and complimentary to your nature, such that, you both desire to get to know eachother more and spend more time with eachother outside of work. And if you are older, as opposed to younger, already your chances are lower, because we become more set in our ways, and established in our lives, as we become older. At least the majority of people do anyway...

So, unfortunately, we can't expect instant results. And yes, when looking at the world from a specific angle, everything seems absolutely corrupt, jaded, and downright malicious and cruel. However, a large part of that particular viewpoint and perception of life, is very dependent upon our state of mind, attitude, and outlook. Sort of like how when you are starving, everything looks delicious, and when you are full, to the point of being sickened by food, all food looks revolting.

Yes, especially now, in these times, the world is a wretched place; but, it's always been a wretched place. At different points in history, it's been more cruel than others; but, it's also always been a beautiful place too. A place with stars, flowers, hummingbirds... A place with deep and passionate feelings and experiences, and very kind and feeling people. A place where miracles and atrocities, co-exist, side by side.

It's okay to be tired though, spent, exhausted, frustrated, and to feel like giving up. It isn't any fun to feel that way, to be sure, but, it's allowable I think...

 

[TheRealCallie]

I'm sure there's something out there that would take a volunteer. Don't give up, keep searching.