Almost everyone reaches a point in their life where they wonder – what is my purpose? While you don’t need a straightforward path to give your life meaning, there are some ways to spend your time that’ll make you feel a little prouder of the life you’ve led. Don’t worry – you don’t need to become a superhero or donate millions to make a difference.
If you are someone who cares about the earth and the people on it, then here’s how to use your time to improve the world as a whole.
Choose a Career that Helps People
For those that have a genuine passion for helping people, there are plenty of careers out there to pursue. Not all of them are easy; in fact, most are downright challenging on a daily basis, but they do provide a career that is both inspiring and emotionally rewarding.
If you like to integrate yourself into communities and you care about social issues like economic injustice, then a career in social work would be the perfect fit for you. As a social worker, you would work with the underserved members of society, providing them with the support network needed to better their lives. Other careers that involve hands-on care for the public include becoming a nurse, paramedic, doctor, and dentist.
Volunteer for Charities
One of the most philanthropic activities you can do with the time you have is volunteering for charity. Luckily, there are thousands of charities in the world waiting on people like you to donate your time. Of course, you can’t volunteer for every single one, so choose causes that you genuinely care about. You could volunteer to feed the homeless, help rescued animals, read to the blind, and much, much more.
Start Your Own Charity
You could even take it one step further and start a charity! It isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have a cause you’re passionate about that isn’t getting enough funding or attention, starting your own charity is a brilliant way to put a spotlight on the cause. Just remember to do plenty of research before you dive in – there are a couple of obstacles to starting a charity, such as initial fundraising and effective marketing.
Think About What You Buy
Where you put your money is just as important as how you spend your time. A lot of big corporations contribute to some of the less humane parts of humanity. For example, you might discover a cheap clothing brand you previously bought from that massively underpays their staff or uses sweatshops in other countries. Likewise, you might discover your skincare products test on animals.
Before jumping into your next purchase, it’s important to do a little background research into the company. For a safer bet, try to put your money toward smaller, independent businesses.
Be More Eco-Friendly
One of the biggest problems faced by the earth in the twentieth century is all the damage caused by waste and pollution. While no one can’t reverse the damage alone, if everyone does their bit to help save the earth, the outcome becomes much kinder. Don’t know where to begin your journey to a greener life? Start with doing these:
. Recycle
. Walk and Cycle More
. Reduce Energy Use
. Avoid Single-Use Plastics
Spend Time with Loved Ones
Bettering the world isn’t always about making huge changes. Sometimes, it’s enough to improve the lives of those you are closest to, like your friends and family. No matter how busy you are or how stressful your job is, it’s always important to spend enough time with your loved ones. Not only does this strengthen your relationships, but it also ensures no one in your life is lonely.
Shop Locally
One simple way to spend your money ethically is to shop locally. There are numerous reasons for this. Firstly, shopping locally generally gives your money to smaller, independent businesses that rely on your transactions to support their family. On top of that, you’re not contributing to vehicle pollution by spending money somewhere that sends their produce across the country or world. It might sometimes be a little more expensive to shop locally, but it helps build better communities and fights against climate change if you can afford it.
Go to Protests You Believe In
Protests are a way to enact change, so if you want to make a real difference, attend the ones you believe in most. That might mean fighting for animal rights, against homelessness, or to aid the fight against climate change. The more people show that they care, the more chance that something will get done about it.
Educate Yourself About World Issues
Education is the key to change. Without knowing what is going on in the world, how can you use your time to improve it? Of course, don’t stress yourself out too much – if you feel you’re getting overwhelmed with all the negative news, it’s more than okay to take a step back. Do try to educate yourself on the issues you care about, though, as this will help you take action for good as well as educate others.
Be a Part of Your Community
To help change the world for the better, you must start with smaller communities. After all, unless you are a politician, you can’t exactly change an entire country by yourself. So, be an active part of your community by joining clubs, attending local events, and getting to know the people around you. In particular, try spending time with some of the older generations, as you’ll learn a lot more about the world while providing company to those who might need it most. Talk to people from different cultures, too, as this will widen your perspective.
Create Art
Art is such an important part of culture. You don’t have to be a talented artist to create art that shapes the world for the better, either. A simple painting of your garden-grown flowers or a short story based on your nearby city can be enough. It is more than worth it if you can brighten the day of at least one person with your art.
Foster Animals
For the animal lovers out there, one of the best ways you can spend your time is by fostering an animal that needs care. You could foster dogs, kittens, rabbits, birds, and more. Not only will you be doing something extremely kind, but you’ll also get the boost from watching the animals flourish in your care. It’s sometimes a lot of work to take on, but if you have the time, you’ll be contributing to a world with fewer suffering animals.
Plant a Garden
A peaceful way to spend your time contributing to a better earth is to plant a garden, especially one full of bee-friendly plants. With the number of buildings taking up green spaces, people need to give back to nature, even if that’s just with a small back garden full of plants, insects, and wildlife. Not only is it doing something for good, but it also provides you with a relaxing hobby that is extremely rewarding. You could even hop on the self-sustainable train and grow your own fruits and vegetables!
Donate Old Items to Charity
Having a house declutter? Instead of throwing items away, consider donating the stuff that’s still in good condition to charity. You might not want that old biker jacket, but there’ll be someone out there who does. Not only does it contribute to less waste, but it also helps charities raise money for their good causes – it’s a win-win! For anything that you can’t donate because of its poor condition, consider whether you can recycle it first before choosing to send it to a landfill.
Smile at Strangers
Many people complain that the world isn’t as friendly as it used to be. Maybe that’s nostalgia talking, or maybe there’s some truth to it, possibly due to how often people spend time looking down at their smartphones rather than greeting people in real life. To add a little more friendliness into the world, try smiling at strangers more. It’s a simple act, but it is one that just might lift someone’s day, which could, in turn, inspire them to smile at another stranger, creating a cycle of friendliness.
Use Your Voice
Doing your bit for the benefit of the world is excellent, but it’s even better to inspire others to join you on your journey. That doesn’t mean telling people what to do – instead, use your voice to spread knowledge about subjects that might change other people’s ways. For example, if you have a friend who buys from an unethical brand, inform them of its poor practices and show them other ethical stores that sell similar products.
Using your time to improve the world doesn’t have to involve numerous, huge lifestyle changes. By taking a few of these ideas on board, you can rest assured that you are contributing to a kinder planet overall.
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