r/nerdfighters • u/Mundane_Dingo_7578 • 3d ago
Doing good
I’m on a 5 month leave from work due to mental health conditions. I want to do some good in the world. What are some projects I could do?
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u/bee_zah 3d ago edited 3d ago
I would recommend volunteering locally. They’re usually super happy to have volunteers, it’s a great way to get out of the house, and there are so many different options to find something you care about and are comfortable with.
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u/SpaceDantar 2d ago edited 2d ago
I will second this but also add the OP should remember that doing good is not something you just hammer away at once, it's a lifelong thing. You also don't need to do it all at once, or in one big effort.
OP: If you are struggling with any mental health stuff... please remember to take care of yourself first and help others when you are able. In the long run you'll be in a better place to help others that way too!
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u/__Booper__ 3d ago
My immediate thought was to reach out to old friends or classmates or people with whom you've shared important moments.
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u/Mundane_Dingo_7578 3d ago
Ive been kind of isolating i dont want to burden anyone with my mental illness
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u/bulelainwen 2d ago
I don’t know what specific mental health issues you’re dealing with right now, but I want to point out that 1. people in general want to help others (so it’s not a burden) and 2. isolation tends to worsen mental health. You don’t have to make a big production of hanging out with people, it can be a low stakes hang. Make soup together or something and ask them about themselves, have them tell you stories about their life. Sit and color and watch a movie together so you don’t have to talk as much.
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u/backagain301 3d ago
Volunteering is routinely shown to be a significant factor in mental health. Find an org near you that needs your skills
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u/pleasejustbeaperson 2d ago
I became (permanently?) disabled a few years ago due to chronic illness. I don’t feel guilty for not being able to do much, but I also have a genuine desire to do good. Three lessons I’ve learned:
-Taking care of yourself through rest and recovery is literally your JOB right now. When you’re unwell, resting properly can take considerable effort and attention. Remember that it’s your first priority.
-In looking at your options to volunteer, think about how you could be of service in ways that also serve your healing. If there’s something you know supports your mental health - petting animals, being in nature, working with your hands - look for ways to do that.
-Don’t underestimate the value of just being a decent person in the world. There are days when I physically can’t go to a community meeting or write advocacy letters or help my elderly friend run errands. But I can be a considerate driver, or the customer who isn’t in a hurry.
Best wishes to you.
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u/bulelainwen 2d ago
I love, love, love this! Yes to everything!
Op, resting is 100% your job right now. As a doctor, I’m sure you’ve heard all of the “you can’t pour from an empty cup” phrases but they’re so true.
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u/Brief-Inevitable-599 3d ago
First, learn your neighbours names. Next, find ways to chat to them more regularly (garden together, watch sports together, whatever), learn what they need (help watching the kids, a warm meal every so often, a fence mended) and then offer to help.
This is one of the best ways to do good because it can be mutual and it can be long term, for as long as you are neighbours.
Befriending elderly people in my city has been one of the best things for my self but also sometimes i can help them, even just by bringing them out for the evening to a show or a meal!
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u/adventurenotalaska 2d ago
In the words of Hank "remember that your own happiness is something you can produce". So even if you can't "do good for the world" if you do good for yourself you are improving your world!
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u/blueberry_ellery 3d ago
If there's a library near you, see if they have any projects that need volunteers or general library volunteers. I've found them to be great resources and a good way of doing some good in a low stakes, low stress way. Sending you love 💜
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u/blueberry_ellery 3d ago
Also have a look at local community pages for volunteering groups! Maybe there's something like a litter pick, charity shop volunteering or other random projects where extra people will always be a great help
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u/singingwriting TimeFor5 2d ago
I personally find it helpful to pick something and focus on making good in that space, it helps me not to spiral about all the bad things in the world. My specific example currently is TBFighting, but in the past I volunteered to spend time with seniors with dementia or I stocked a little free pantry every week.
If in person volunteering is an option for you, maybe you could become a regular volunteer at a local food bank or animal shelter. I know for my mental health getting out of the house is important and spending time with animals is also super beneficial.
If you want something you can do from home, there are online platforms you can volunteer with or maybe a local organization needs help with social media or a website. My mom used to knit winter hats to donate this time of year.
But honestly? Being there for a friend or a neighbor is doing good in the world, picking up a piece of litter is good, and there are so many more examples. The flexibility of what is "doing good" is a double edged sword at least for me. This time of year there are more opportunities with the holidays coming up so maybe look for things related to that. If you want more specific help brainstorming lmk!
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u/flutegirl96 2d ago
There are options to volunteer to help with science research. Zooniverse is one place where there are different projects you can help on, usually from home and with low stakes commitment. It's been a few years, but I helped with a few projects! I'm sure there are other organizations like Zooniverse!
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u/EmboarsFlamingBeard 3d ago
Taking care of yourself. So you can help others when you're doing better.
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u/BrainPhD 3d ago
What specific knowledge or skills do you have to contribute to the project?
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u/Mundane_Dingo_7578 2d ago
Im a doctor
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u/BrainPhD 2d ago
Maybe volunteer at a free health clinic?
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u/pleasejustbeaperson 2d ago
I’d likely suggest the opposite - doing the same kind of work you’d ordinarily do for pay isn’t often that conducive to rest and recovery. Though, of course, it could be just what some people want, so ymmv.
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u/tandem_kayak 3d ago
I like volunteering a couple hours a week at our local food bank. It's not stressful, you meet other volunteers, and you know you did something good in your community.
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u/FailurelsData 2d ago
Drawabox is fun. I started doing it bc i could do it in bed
You can make most of your non-dish pottery ideas with air dry clay and don't need to find a studio. Right now themed tic tac toe boards are all the rage
Fragrance collecting has been really fun for me. Ordering samples and discovery sets, organizing My collecting, budgeting full bottles and learning about perfume as art- plus, more enrichment in bed
Automatic journaling- see pic. You actually get the same mental health benefits from the hand-mind connection of journaling just by automatic journaling. Again, inclusive of bed.
I've also been re-doing my kitchen system to be designed like a restaurant. 7-10 menu items always available, having cook days where I make the stews and freeze them. Same with prepping and freezing curry sauce, shredded chicken, half muffins, etc. been fun. I also makes grocery shopping easier because I order all pantry items online and only go to the store once a week for wet / perishables. And I have two of everything (mustard, mayo, boxes of chai) so there's less pressure about forgetting to replace. If baseline is 2, you have a while 1 left to remember.
The kitchen thing has also been a great way for up days to take care of down days.
♥️ love you
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u/GlitteryLibrarian71 20h ago
We have an election coming up! See if your town needs poll volunteers - great way to give back to your community.
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u/JustHavingFunNYC 17h ago
Volunteer. Senior centers, nursing homes, and senior apartments often welcome "friendly visitors" who come and visit with residents. It can be therapeutic listening to people share their lives. You can make it as impersonal ("What did kids do for fun when you were growing up in Xxxtown?") or personal ("How did you like being a [teacher, housewife, barber, etc.]? ") as you like.
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u/LittleEsq 3d ago
What does “good” mean to you? I think you need to start there.