I am a helper. Helping people brings me SUCH joy, it really does. Volunteering makes my soul sing. And not only that, I am an ENFP so I’ve got the kind of personality that dives into new things hard and fast.
A few years ago, I dove head first into too many things. I was hardly every home. Combine that with working part time and being a full time mama and wife and it was a recipe for disaster.
And on top of it all, I didn’t REALLY want to be doing any of those things that I was running to. I wanted to be home with my husband and baby after work. I wanted to take my weekends slow and not spend my time going in circles. I carried a lot of the weight of the world on my shoulders because of this volunteer position. It was stressful. And that stress came home with me.
It took me stepping back from everything and spending a few days in my tiny hometown in Illinois to gain some perspective. But then I realized something really important. I HAVE A CHOICE with how I spend my time. And that includes volunteer work. If it was no longer mutually beneficial, it was time to part ways.
It was the right move. Since then I’ve added a few bits of volunteer work back into my life, but I have gotten MUCH MUCH better about not getting in too deep too quickly.
Do you volunteer? Is it for something you love doing? Have you ever felt “stuck” in something you didn’t actually want to do? Tell me in the comments below. I’d love to hear more.
This post is part of a 31 day series about Big Girl Panties. Click here to read the rest of the series.
Oh yes. We learned this valuable lesson a few years back, and it changed our lives! :)-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..The Future’s So Bright We Gotta Wear Shades
It has been a GAME CHANGER for me too! I am so much happier now that I am volunteering on projects that I LOVE!
[…] Day 7. Volunteering Is Awesome…Except when it isn’t. […]
The first time I said “no” to something felt horrible! But after that, it got a little easier to assess what things fit within my priorities and which ones wouldn’t. I find it’s not so hard to say “no” when something just isn’t a good fit for us.
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted..Somewhere I Must Have Done Something Right or Frances’ 10th Birthday
I’ve learned that I can’t be all things to all people, even though I wish I could. And you’re right, it does get easier.
YEEES. Great post. This is something we sat down and heavily discussed at the beginning of the year. Being involved in too many things drained us as a family. And there is great power in both “yes” and “no”, and it feels good to be confident in both 🙂
christie elkins recently posted..31 Days of Encouragement Unexpected, Day 7: it’s a hello kind of day.
I agree! When things are taking away from our family life instead of enhancing it, it is time to make changes!