Why I changed my mind about volunteering

ABC 202: On the cost of only "changing the system"

Every year instead of a New Year’s resolution, a small group of friends and I pick a word as an intention for the year. 

After a year of self-promotion for my book’s release, I decided to make 2024’s word “service.” In the past few months, I’ve volunteered as a writing coach for 5th graders, a front desk guy at my neighborhood yoga studio, and a postcard writer to get out the vote. 

Though I’ve only volunteered for a few hours here and there, my year of service has reinforced something we probably all know: when you give back you often get more in return. And yet, my generation has been taught to be wary of the value of individual action. You can’t recycle your way into saving the planet.

But this week’s piece argues that there’s a cost to only thinking about “changing the system.” It’s a powerful call to arms 30 days before the election.

Here’s the piece: Why I changed my mind about volunteering

Warmly,
Simo 

P.S. The song of the week is a dance track from 1991 that feels as modern as ever. The full songs of the week playlist is here.