how can I help?
The story
for the last couple of years, i’ve found myself stuck in this cycle—i keep asking myself how can i help? i’m spending 2-3 nights a week volunteering, mostly with food distribution and a bit of crisis helpline support, and while i know these things matter in a broader sense, i can’t shake the feeling that it’s just a drop in an ocean that keeps rising. i log off or pack up at the end of my shift, exhausted, but with this nagging voice in my head: did i really make any difference today?? it’s hard to measure impact when the problems seem to grow faster than the solutions we’re offering. sometimes, it feels like i’m patching up a leak with a bandaid while the whole dam’s about to burst; do you ever feel like that? it’s not like i’m looking for praise or thanks, just… wondering if the hours i give, the energy i pour in, really move the needle at all.
at the helpline, we’re trained to listen without judgment, to offer support and guidance without crossing professional boundaries. i think i’m good at that—keeping my voice steady, offering practical resources, knowing when to gently nudge a caller towards seeking professional help or when to just listen. but when i hang up, there’s this wave of doubt that hits me: what if i missed something important? what if i could’ve done more? the same happens during food distribution; i hand over bags of essentials, smile, say a few words of encouragement, but then i wonder if it’s enough to keep someone afloat, even for a few days. there’s this constant tension between the immediate need in front of me and the bigger, systemic issues that make people need those services in the first place. how do you balance that?
sometimes, after a particularly tough shift, i’ll get home, sit down with a cup of tea, and my mind just races. it’s not always the stories i’ve heard—though those stay with me—it’s more this underlying frustration that keeps bubbling up. i’m so aware of how small my role is in the grand scheme of things, and yet, the emotional toll it takes feels disproportionately heavy. am i doing this for them, or for myself? does volunteering ease my own conscience more than it eases their burdens? that’s a question i keep coming back to, and it’s uncomfortable. 😔 i think most people who volunteer ask themselves this at some point, right? it’s human to want to feel useful, to feel like we’re part of the solution. but when the scale of the problem is so massive, is it arrogant to think i’m making a dent at all?
the people i work alongside are some of the most dedicated, compassionate, and resilient folks i’ve ever met. we share a quiet solidarity, a kind of unspoken understanding that what we’re doing matters, even if we don’t always see the results. we joke, we vent, we lift each other up during tough shifts, but we also carry the weight of knowing that there’s always more to be done. i’ve seen colleagues burn out, step away, because the load became too heavy to bear. and honestly, i’ve felt that pull myself—there are nights when i think about just stopping, just reclaiming those hours for rest or personal time. yet, i keep showing up. not because i think i’m some hero, but because, despite everything, there’s this stubborn hope that maybe, just maybe, tonight’s shift will make a difference for someone.
i guess what i’m trying to say is, i don’t have the answers. i don’t know if what i’m doing is enough, or if it ever will be. but i know that doing nothing isn’t an option i can live with. it’s not about fixing everything—that’s impossible. it’s about doing what i can, with what i have, for as long as i can. still, i wonder: is that enough? does any of this resonate with you? do you ever ask yourself how you can help, and if the help you offer really matters in the end? 🥺 maybe the real question is, how do we keep going when it feels like we’re not getting anywhere?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
I gotta say, I think you're being way too hard on yourself. Volunteering is tough and it can feel like fighting a losing battle, but isn’t it better than doing nothing at all; Even if it feels like a drop in the ocean, it’s still something, right? I used to volunteer at a local shelter, and I had these exact thoughts. Sometimes I'd feel like I hadn't done anything significant, but then I'd remember the smiles or small thank-yous from the people I helped. Those moments kept me going even when doubts creeped in. You're making more of a difference than you think, even if it's just for a few people. Just keep doing what you can and don't be too hard on yourself.
first of all, it seems you have an idealistic view disproportionate to reality; everyone in your position feels overwhelmed sometimes, but you have taken this feeling to an unnecessary extreme. sustaining such a perspective is counterproductive. engaging in altruistic activities requires assessing the strategic importance of each contribution, not lamenting the overarching scope of societal issues. does it not occur to you that your subjective dissatisfaction could stem from personal expectations you impose rather than external circumstances?? evaluating your effectiveness isn’t the point of volunteering, it is about providing immediate relief and support. while your emotional reflection is understandable, surely you realize that such self-indulgent introspection is unlikely ever to result in definitive answers?? at the very least, consider that your efforts, however small in the grander scheme, are not entirely futile.
reading your story resonated deeply with me, as I've often found myself in similar challenging situations; there's something incredibly human about grappling with questions of impact and purpose. it's true that the scale of some problems can feel insurmountable, especially when you're in the thick of it, but every effort contributes to a larger change. i once volunteered at a small community center and experienced the same doubts. however, I found strength and encouragement in the little victories – the shared laughter and brief connections made a difference. your commitment is genuinely inspiring, and it speaks volumes about your character. while it's entirely natural to question the efficacy of our actions, remember that change often occurs incrementally, and your efforts are definitely part of that positive shift. keep holding onto that hope, as it's a vital force for perseverance. 🙂
man, i totally feel you. the whole “am i even making a difference?” thing hits hard, especially in crisis work 😔 it’s like you give your time and energy, but those big systemic issues just keep looming. been there myself when i volunteered at a helpline. the burnout is real, and it's frustrating as hell. but listen, just showing up is already a big deal. it’s the little things that can turn a day around for someone. i'm with you, questioning this stuff makes sense, but remember, your actions still matter to the people you help, even if it doesn’t seem huge. keep doing what you’re doing!
it's understandable to feel like your efforts are just drops in an ever-growing ocean of need, but it's essential to recognize the intrinsic value in each small action. mother teresa once said, "not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love;" this perspective can be instrumental in understanding the significance of your contributions. while the enormity of global issues can sometimes overshadow personal efforts, it's crucial to acknowledge that all meaningful change starts with individual actions. perhaps, instead of focusing on the entirety of the problem, it would be beneficial to appreciate the direct impact you have on those you assist, even if it's just one person at a time. channeling your energy into these tangible outcomes can unlock a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing that your work, no matter how incremental, is indeed making a difference.
dude, you’re taking this way too seriously. i know it's overwhelming, but every little bit helps!!! ever heard the saying, "one starfish at a time"? 😏 you ain’t gonna solve world hunger or fix everything all at once; so why beat yourself up over something so huge? what about the people you’ve actually helped? don't their smiles or thank yous mean something?? lighten up a bit and just keep doing what you can. shift your focus a bit, and you'll see the impact more clearly!
hey, i get what you're saying, but maybe you're being a bit hard on yourself. isn't doing something better than doing nothing at all? 🤔 lots of people just sit on the sidelines. you're making an effort. yeah, the problems are huge, but it's unrealistic to fix everything at once. does everyone else at the helpline feel the same way? maybe you're should focus more on one-on-one impacts rather than the big picture. every small act counts, even if it feels tiny in comparison to the bigger issues. it's all part of a bigger puzzle, right? keep doing your thing, and trust it's all adding up somewhere. 💪
it's tough, no doubt about it. volunteering can feel like a never-ending cycle, right?? 😅 you give your time, do all the right things, and yet it feels like a drop in the bucket. but hey, those small actions do add up!!! it might not seem like it now, but it all matters. you’re making a difference, even if it’s not obvious every day. don't beat yourself up too much. we all question if we’re doing enough, and it’s normal. just do what you can, and remember that it all counts in the long run. keep it up!!! 👍