How do I volunteer without an agenda?

Question

Speaking to my therapist today, we were talking about volunteering and not having a plan, and I couldn't seem to find any way to do that, like even doing it for the sake of things coming back like in karma, good is still a plan and expectation. What is your way of volunteering without asking anything in return?

Kina · Accepted Answer

I think volunteering without an agenda is the only way someone should volunteer. The act of volunteering should be genuine in my opinion...not for the sake of getting something back. I think it helps if you do something that you can get enjoyment out of. For example, I volunteer for Toys for Tots during the holiday season. I do it because it's fun. I like picking out all the toys and handing them out. I encounter many opportunities to volunteer but I only do the activities that I think are fun. I feel that if I participated in the items I did not want to do, it wouldn't be genuine.

♡𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑒 · Answer

This might not exactly answer your question, but it gives some food for thought. As I myself am not a fan of doing things out of expectations or conditions, I've often pondered about this. Blew my mind last year when I saw someone on a TikTok video basically state that: Helping others makes you feel good, and there is nothing innately wrong with that. As selfish as that may sound to some, you're allowed to do for others and enjoy the gratification of feeling happier for doing so. That's a fine motivator.  "Studies have found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of wellbeing. Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem."  Sometimes we gotta just accept that at the end of the day we are human and we do things out of our own self interest, but that doesnt mean we don't genuinely care or want to help others. We just have to be mindful to not expect anything in return, as we can't control the outcome. Only have control over how we ourselves react to lifes situations and take responsibility over our own feelings and behaviors.  💞

Kelly · Answer

I always feel good whenever I volunteer, especially at a soup kitchen. I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling good about doing good. I don't think that's an agenda. An agenda is trying to get something out of it besides just good cheer.

How do I volunteer without an agenda?

Psychology Community

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