It’s easy to feel powerless in today’s world. It may seem like despite our best efforts to participate in elections, to educate ourselves on global and social issues, and to recycle every piece of plastic it’d be way easier to throw out, nothing is changing for the better (and if anything, seems to be getting worse). While as just one individual our impact on our entire country seems negligible, as just one individual we can indeed have a significant impact in our local community that ripples and magnifies and benefits everyone. When you get involved with your community, you make a statement that the people and spaces around you matter and deserve our care. This attitude is contagious and impactful to a degree you might not expect.
I will always vividly remember the one time I went on a litter pickup hike around my college town, expecting I’d just get some steps in while taking care of the environment. To my surprise, several people passing by thanked me for taking care of our neighborhood. One man stuck out to me in particular. He walked up to me and asked if I was part of an organization, to which I replied that no, I just felt like doing this. I saw something shift in him. He confessed that he was about to throw his empty soda can into the park lawn, but when he saw me picking up litter, he felt that he should also show care toward the neighborhood. Smiling, he threw the can into a trash bin and proclaimed that he would stop littering. Maybe he just felt bad for me at that moment, but I (somewhat selfishly) like to imagine that he still thinks about me whenever he chooses not to litter, and that maybe there was some kind of ripple effect in the neighborhood that day. No, I swear I did not make this story up.
While this was just one small example, there are so many more ways you the reader can be a part of making your community better for everyone and to empower collective change. Choose one (or more) actions from the list below and put it in your agenda for this week!
- Leave your house. Literally, that’s it. Turn off the technology and get out there.
- Support your local library. Borrow books and movies, attend a weekly event, donate…
- Plant native plants that support native bees and other pollinators.
- Find a local seed bank. Take seeds, leave seeds, and spread the word.
- Like I did, go on a litter hike. Maybe you’ll inspire someone to join (or stop littering).
- Go through your kitchen cabinets and donate extra items to a local food pantry
- Talk to elderly neighbors. Offer to help them take out the trash, or barter some vegetables, or pet sit their cat.
- Throw or attend a block party!
- Put a bench out for the public to use.
- Teach someone you know a skill you have. Sewing, baking, carpentry, plumbing, harmonica, DnD, anything.
- Read a book or have a picnic outside. Maybe others will be inspired and copy you!
- Take your kids (or little siblings) to the park. They’ll likely make some new friends
- Buy from or support a local business.
- If you can do so safely, try to travel around without a car. Take public transit, walk, or cycle to the grocery store.
- Learn your local history. Visit historical landmarks, take photos, and write about them.
- Hire a neighborhood teenager to help you out with an odd job.
- Be curious when you talk to others and interact with your environment.
- Try to learn something new from every conversation with a stranger or acquaintance.
- Start or contribute to a Little Free Library.
- Attend a town hall.
So, did you add anything to your to-do list? Let us know if you tried any of these, how it went, or if you have any other ideas we should try.