During times of stress and upheaval, it's easy to feel like it's too big and you can't do anything. Here's how to do good no matter where you are.
As humans, we often feel as though we're masters of the universe. But the universe has a way of reminding us that, in many ways, we are kind of small. When big upheavals come our way, it's common to feel overwhelmed. And wonder what we can do to help.
Realize that you can't help everyone
This first is a kind of Debbie Downer moment. It's what I'm known for, so I might as well stay on brand.
Your first step is to realize you can't help everyone. I mean, you know you can't help everyone. Intellectually, that's a no-brainer.
However, when you look around and see how many people need help, it tugs at your heartstrings. You want to help everyone in your sphere of influence and go beyond. It's natural to want to do everything for everyone.
When you realize you can't, and your actual ability to immediately impact the situation is limited, it can be paralyzing. You might feel like there's no reason to do anything because it will never be enough. We need to get beyond this.
Acknowledge that you can't help everyone and you can't do everything. That's the first step when you want to learn how to do good. Recognizing your limitations is disappointing, but it's vital if you want to move beyond inaction and make a difference.
Be prepared to do the intellectual and emotional work that comes with knowing your limitations. Once you do, you can step back, evaluate the situation, stop beating yourself up for what you can't do, and focus on the positive actions within your reach.
Start with one action, even if it feels small
Next, start with one action, even if it feels small. The truth is that if you make a positive difference for one person, you've still made a positive difference. It matters.
One of my favorite concepts was in a fantasy novel by Sharon Shinn. The main character tried to make whatever corner of the world she was in better. I liked that. I try my best to live by that.
You can, too.
Would it be nice if we solved big systemic issues? Yes. I'd love it if we could trust those in charge right now to do the right thing. But we can't.
You do have control over some (not always all) of what's going on in your own life, and in your neighborhood. You can influence what's happening in your city. Do good there. Some cool examples of things happening in my local area right now include:
- Mutual aid groups
- ICE watch
- Volunteers helping with local campaigns for candidates and issues
- Efforts to stock the Food Basket and the Soup Kitchen
- Animal rescue grapevine
- NARCAN distribution network
- Reproductive health resource distribution (including a network that helps women get access to the care they need in other states)
Once you figure out how to do good at this small scale, you can start taking other actions that positively impact others. For example, the mutual aid I'm involved with focuses primarily on helping trans community members access help and resources in a state that's actively hostile toward them. (Venmo me if you're interested in supporting this effort.)
Simple actions you can take to do good
If you want to start making a small difference, here are a few things you can do today.
- Donate to your local food bank and/or soup kitchen: In this economy, with rising grocery costs and cuts to important programs like SNAP, send some money to local efforts to manage food insecurity. Check into your own local resources and look at Feeding America for nearby food banks. Many take online financial donations.
- Offer to complete errands for those who can't: Community members who might be unable to go out and get needed supplies could use some help. Offer to run errands, go to the store, whatever.
- Find out what others need and have it shipped to them: When a friend is sick or needs help paying for groceries, I often DoorDash an order. One of my friends fosters cats, and you can support her work by sending items off her wishlist. Even if you can't do something yourself, you might still be able to help with their needs.
- Support local businesses: I make it a point to patronize local businesses, especially when the owners share my values. In our capitalistic society, doing what you can to keep good local businesses afloat can make a big difference in the community.
- Reach out to those in isolation: We sometimes forget how important human connection is. If you know someone who's been lonely, reach out. Americans are facing a loneliness epidemic, and, despite what media reports and manosphere bros continue to say, it's not just men. We're all lonely, and at about the same rate across genders and races.
- Donate to causes that matter to you: Look for causes that matter to you and donate to those efforts. Charities, candidates, and issue campaigns need your help. Carefully vet where you send the money, though. You want it going to people and organizations that will put it to good use.
Many of these items are based in community and connection. We're in an economic and governance situation that could very conceivably lead to the end of our republic (such as it is) and to upheaval. Your best bet is to stay the course with your money while building local networks and resources that can support community survival in a worst-case scenario.
Do what works for you
I'm not gonna lie. It's easier for me to give money to causes and support social finance efforts than to be on the ground floor interacting with others. So I do my best to support relief efforts financially while admiring those who actually get their hands dirty.
Maybe you don't have the financial resources to give, or maybe you like the personal connection you get from volunteering. Either way, you learn how to do good by being on the ground. Organize supplies and see that they're delivered. Serve meals at the soup kitchen. These are actions that are as valuable as money. And they make a difference.
Everyone has different strengths. Play to yours. Don't assume you have to do things the same way others do. You can do good with what you have.
How to do good on a larger scale
Once you get used to how to do good in small ways, it's not unusual to want to take the next step. So how do you do good in a way that impacts the world at large?
My solution remains to start small. Right now, many of our systemic issues are laid bare. They've been here all along. But now they glare at us. And they seem huge. But we can't do much overnight to effect massive, top-down change.
I firmly believe in starting where you have the most influence. So that's why I start local. I have:
- Served on school district committees
- Served on mayoral committees
- Given to local charities
- Supported local events and causes
- Given testimony to the state legislature
- Called government officials to ask them to change policies
- Chaired a local political party
- Ran for state legislature
- Served on local nonprofit boards
- Organized mutual aid
Think about what resonates with you and look for ways to be a positive influence. Volunteer at the animal shelter and work with your local policymakers to enact animal-friendly laws. If you work with your local youth arts council, you can lobby your city council for policies and funding that further the cause. When your state legislature passes unjust laws, contact your governor to ask for a veto, and recruit your friends to do the same.
There are so many things you can do, connected to what you're passionate about, to advocate for better laws and policies. Whether you work with nonprofits, political organizations or just show up and be involved, you can start to make a change at the ground level.
Active and engaged citizens make a difference. They elect better people to public office. They serve as a check on lawmakers. Pay attention, hold elected leaders accountable, and we'll see change.
The work can be difficult. Sometimes it's discouraging. But once you learn how to do good, it's hard to stop.
