To think I'm not changing the world?

[sniffle12]

Do you ever get a feeling that there are amazing people everywhere taking action to actually change things, whether that's fundraising, inventing things, protesting, setting up charities, leading petitions, etc, and that you're just doing nothing?

I mean I have some charity direct debits set up and do a job whose byproduct is vaguely worthwhile (employing young people), but other than that, I think I tend to rely too much on there being enough other people who care about things for me not to have to really get involved. But I'm never really sure where to start, or what inspired these people who are changing their own little corner of the world to do so!

[AlternativeTentacle]

I think there are alot of gobshites out there telling everyone what they do. The real heroes are the ones who quietly get on with it day in day out.

I call them Ecomaniacs. Pretending to save the world but it is all about them. Or Egowarriors. Same but always telling you 'stop eating meat' when I stopped eating meat 32 years ago before they were even fucking born. Twats.

[PuffinsSitOnMuffins]

There's so much that needs changing in the world! Is there anything you feel particularly angry / passionate about? Or that you think you could get other people on board with. One of the other mums from my son's primary school organised a children's sponsored walk round the local park after school to raise money for Syrian refugees. Just a simple thing but it raised quite a lot of money.

[CallousAndStrange]

Some people will try to change the world in a big way. Others can just make it better on a smaller scale, just by being decent and kind to those around them and giving what help they can. That's no less important. Tiny raindrops make big ripples and all that.

[MangoSplit]

It's never too late, OP! I'm in my 40s and until recently I've never been politically active at all. But in the last two years I've joined a political party, written to my MP twice (my own letter, not just added my name to an email campaign) and started becoming more aware of the issues that matter to me (in my case: feminism). Go for it! Get involved!

[Giraffe31]

You don't have to change the world. You can make a difference just by small little acts of kindness, you may not change the world but you can change someones world.

[Meekonsandwich]

I agree with the above and heard a brilliant
Quote.
"Its okay to want to save the world. It's okay if you just save one person. It's okay if that person is you."

Little things. I find the people making the most difference are the quietest, carers, fire fighters, nurses, people caring for relatives, people who run support groups alsorts and you'd never even know.

[DJBaggySmalls]

If we could cure all the worlds injustice, we would. Pick one thing and concentrate your resources on that. Make it something thats meaningful to you. Its far more satisfying, and with less angst.

[highinthesky]

I can feel your pain, OP.

I agree that the small things count, but that includes doing no harm. When I worked in the private sector I just couldn't agree with the impact the company was having on the wider world, despite doing a great deal of good. No-one else seemed to care, as long as they were being paid.

Quitting gave me my self-respect back and brought huge peace of mind with it.

[Sunnyshores]

There are loads of everyday small ways to 'change the world' - recycling clothes, toys in charity shops, using less water and energy, being a vegetarian, lift sharing, encouraging wildlife into your garden, using eco products, fairtrade goods, local goods, grow your own, repurposing rater than buying new items. Then encouraging friends and family to do the same.

If you have free time there are groups and local charities you can join, volunteer and help raise money and awareness. Local wildlife trusts, charity shops, PTA at school, organise boot fairs, coffee mornings, local hospices, care homes, hospital visiting..

You could work for a charity or you could start your own.

There really are a million things you can do, some require a lot of time, others certain skills, others an outgoing personality. But we can all do something and we can all probably do just a little more. Theres a Japanese word Kaizen, which means something like doing a bit better each day or doing a little is better than nothing. You shouldnt underestimate the impact of anything you are able to do!

[FeralBeryl]

Every time you smile at a stranger, say good morning to someone on a walk etc you are improving a teeny part of their day in my opinion.
You're contributing to society!
As a pp pointed out, giving to charity, be it financial or in the form of clothing contributions, food banks it all matters, just because you aren't hanging off the side of a rusty ship somewhere protesting doesn't mean you aren't useful