Feeling directionless and useless?

Question

I've been a volunteer since I was 14 (I'm in my mid 20s) and have always volunteered with at least one organization (ir not more) at any given time.

I'm becoming more and more active in human rights. I'm doing volunteer work with Amnesty International, Oxfam and CoDevelopment Canada. I love documentaries and my bf and I watch one a week, as well as attending any international documentary film fests. (There are 2 or 3 here a year.)

But perhaps because I'm educating myself more on AIDS, genocide, environmental issues, lack of clean water, etc, I'm feeling more useless... Like the work I'm doing isn't doing anything at all. I really want to do something that helps someone and I don't feel like what I'm doing is any use.

I sponsor a child in Africa and donate to other causes. I live a "green" life and buy organic, recycle, save electricity, bike, etc. What else can I do? How can I feel like I'm really making a difference? I feel directionless.

Thank you!

Answer 1

You sound like you would enjoy going on a mission trip to Africa or some other foreign land.Check into I think you will feel satisfied.

Answer 2

You ARE making a difference. I know it doesn't feel that way, but you are. And you are an AWESOME person for doing all that you do. If everyone did as much as you do, I believe the world would be a very different and much better place.  You can't solve everything -- no one can. But you are doing more than your part. Brava.

It's hard when you see, say, Oprah Winfrey building a massive leadership academy that's going to immediately affect the lives of hundreds of girls, to think your "little" effort is doing anything by comparison. But it's really *not* a little effort -- you probably influenced one person right now just by posting this list of all you do on Yahoo!Answers. Someone out there that you will never meet may have read this and thought, wow, I need to do more, I think I'll go volunteer. You influence people -- your friends and family -- every time you talk about everything you are learning from documentaries and the material from Amnesty International, Oxfam, etc. Your efforts *do* have a ripple effect -- your actions aren't happening in a vacuum.

Two simple things you can do: Write your US Representatives and US Senators about any issue you think is important. Make sure your online social networking profiles reflect your efforts as well -- linking to organizations you support, putting updates on your blog or bulletin space on such, etc.  

Keep looking for more to do. By looking, you'll find what more you can engage in. And remember that priorities change -- what you feel passionate about now can change over time. Don't feel bad about that -- it's natural.

Answer 3

Just imagine if all of us did 1/10 of what you do. What a huge difference it would make! For all you do. a big THANK YOU!!!

Answer 4

Wow, you're awesome my friend. One thing I can suggest is to try to give your time in a way that enables you to make a personal connection in some way that is meaningful to you. Here are some thoughts off the top of my head. They may not be your cup of tea, but maybe they will spark some new ideas for you.

-Working to train helper animals (ie guide dogs)

-Volunteering in an animal shelter

-Hospice work (there is also a great group called "Friends with Flowers" that get donated flowers to make arrangements for hospice patients)

-If you have a desire to work with children there are a number of ways to be a mentor/tutor/big sister, ect.

I find that seeing personally how you can affect someone's life makes a big difference in the feelings you have been experiencing. I hope this helps. And, you ARE making a difference, just by being the wonderful person that you are. Wishing you peace.

Answer 5

www.thepencilproject.com

This may be a service project that you want to consider. You will be helping needy children get a hand up out of poverty. An educated child will return to their communities and help change the world.