be it feeding people, youth outreach, helping people move, the library, community gardens…the possibilities are endless and of course vary. i volunteer for the art program offered by a shelter near me so it’s possible to balance any interests of yours with doing good! take the time to research opportunities that speak to you.
some other helpful ideas: pick a grassroots organization you really resonate with and donate/promote as regularly as you can...read tricky things and have those tricky conversations...learn a domestic or community building skill such as sewing...
best of luck and don’t get too wrapped up in the “size” of the impact of your actions, because a little help is better than none :)
Nov 6, 2024
Related Recs
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i've found that volunteering can be a really wonderful way to find community and make a positive change and you can choose an issue that you're passionate about - i know that some organizations have age requirements but there are a lot that don't!
Sep 28, 2024
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Help the world and make friends. Win-win
Also something like an art class, cooking class, photo club, bar trivia, book club, politics, etc
Feb 28, 2025
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It'll recharge your battery and you may even be able to find a new opportunity through meeting new people.
I can't recommend getting involved in mutual aid enough. Being productive for something important is incredibly gratifying.
I also recommend using this time to learn about/how to do something you've always wanted to. Ideally by going to your local library and chatting with a librarian. I would also recommend looking at your city's library events and services. A lot of libraries have access to 3d printers, sewing machines, etc. An accessible way to try something new that would otherwise be expensive. Most libraries will have meetups like tech workshops, movie days, recipe exchanges, seed libraries and on and on.
This is also a good time to get involved in things you wouldn't be able to when working a 9-5. Ie. leading a girl scout troop, joining a community garden, or delivering meals on wheels.
Jan 16, 2025
Top Recs from @deardoveswings
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liking ur rec = saying hi when we go to get our morning papers from the end of our driveways (picture me doing so tony soprano style)
Aug 12, 2024
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she can’t see my bank account so it’s ok.
Mar 21, 2025
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started writing this a few hours ago when i first saw this ask, then decided against posting but i've since changed my mind. there really is no justification for it outside of entitlement. even from a selfish lens, there's no long term benefit to its usage. it harms the world and culture in more ways than one.
a.) the water and energy usage that isn't a secret at this point. "no ethical consumption under capitalism" yadda yadda and yeah corporations are extremely culpable in the state of the environment but there really is no need for chatgpt and the planet is already too delicate at the moment.
b.) the exploitation of workers in the global south. this program is not just a computer figuring it all out, there are in fact humans behind it. it reminds me of the acceptance of fast fashion and how people have the tendency to divorce the idea of the garment worker from the garment they wear when all clothing is handmade in some way, shape or form. you need hands to man a sewing machine, you need human eyes to moderate content. also, content moderation can be a thankless job with psychological repercussions.
c.) the erosion of social skills, humanity and media literacy...this one is very personal. like, you have a cushy email job but can't write an email? you need a computer and a worker in kenya to get paid a dollar an hour to figure out a daily routine for you? i've seen the program churn out blatantly incorrect information. fine tuning a prompt or chat or whatever to give you the exact (possibly incorrect) answer you need isn't really that much less work than sharpening your research skills by cracking open a dictionary or using boolean search keys in google. again, the main issue with this kind of stuff is the entitlement to convenience, with no thought towards the repercussions within and outside of us. we are losing major recipes (critical thinking and media literacy) here, people!
i probably did an iffy job are coherently articulating my thoughts here but i am in fact, human. and that’s the beauty of it all.
Oct 1, 2024