I've never imagined myself talking in front of 100 audience. Specially on a TEDx stage. A month ago, I saw a great opportunity to give a speech on TEDx. I took courage and gave my speech this October 5th. I was extremely nervous and wasn't able to sleep for days. When I first stepped on the stage. I felt a weird drop or more like empty feeling in my chest. I was scared of audiences eyes. //I was bloated as I ate A LOT of grape backstage//. When I started talking, my mouth was so dry, it made it hard for me to speak. I delivered my speech as best as I can. I was so happy that I got that chance to speak up.
You can find my speech down below.
“Volunteering: The Best Antidepressant”
Never in my 17 years of living, did I ever think that I would believe “Volunteers live longer and happier lives”. I never fully thought that anyone would ever enjoy doing unpaid labor and sacrificing themselves for someone else. Turns out they don’t just magically live longer because people they help manifest a longer life for them. Or it’s not simply the words “Thank you” that fills their heart with joy. They enjoy volunteering, as we know that when death comes, they lived a meaningful life doing what their souls wanted to do.
My friend took me to my first ever volunteer work last year. For me, someone who had hit rock bottom, it was just another waste of energy. I thought to myself, I bet I wouldn’t be that much of a help though. How am I supposed to help those kids when I couldn’t even help myself. How am I supposed to make them feel included when I feel completely disconnected from this world. I was wrong. We went to “Dambadarjaa” to have some fun with the children there. We played, cooked together and assisted them with their homework. After visiting them a few times, I felt so much sympathy that I started taking “giving back to the community” seriously. Because I used to complain about the food I ate, until I saw those kids starving for days. I used to complain about my family, until I discerned that some of the kids were abandoned. I used to complain about my clothes, until I saw them wearing the exact same pants 5 days in a row. I was complaining non-stop about so-called “hardships” of life, not knowing that having the privileges I have is an aspiration for many.
Here my journey began. Educating those kids has become my passion and taking action for it through volunteering has become my favourite hobby. I was spending more time, more effort and energy for others. When everyone around me started to notice that I was volunteering, some asked “What do you get out of it?”. As an introvert who was incapable of expressing herself at the time, all I could say was “It’s just a generous thing to do”. Not going to lie, I myself didn’t know why I loved volunteering so much as well.
That one day when I was on my way to volunteer, my friend asked me “What does depression feel like?”. I replied “Well, you know. Just a deep and prolonged feeling of emptiness and hopelessness, I guess”. That small conversation provoked me to think deeper about myself. I realised I wasn’t getting that cold feeling of emptiness anymore. Or I wasn’t the same old severely ill me, who couldn’t even walk 500 metres without my heart racing uncontrollably. On top of that, I noticed that my mindset had changed drastically, that people started to perceive me as an extrovert.
At first, I couldn’t figure out what had caused the transformation. Because to be honest, life was getting more stressful with all the assignments and responsibilities. What's even more strange is I wasn't stressing out about that. I thought “Wait, wait. Is this really me?”. Because normally, I would begin losing hair due to stress and probably suffer from sleep deprivation. Then it hit me, the days I would take a 5 hour long nap to avoid my anxiety and stress turned into “Oh my god, I’m too excited to sleep. I’m going to volunteer tomorrow”. The feeling of nausea when simply looking at food disappeared because I needed enough energy to make an impact. Horrifying thoughts of giving up on life are replaced with a strong will to live because I was born to make this world a better place.
All thanks to volunteering, I finally mended my depression. My health was improving, as I was more active than before. I’m more confident because I have an outstanding skill set and experience. I can write a project proposal and organise a 500 participants event. How many teenagers are able to do that? And all of those pure, positive feelings were filling up that emptiness in my chest.
Now, after volunteering for 558 long hours, I get asked a lot “What do you get out of it?”. I simply reply “Fulfilment”. That one word can cover all the reasons why you should volunteer. As you can see, volunteering sure works as an antidepressant. But what about the community? How does the community benefit?
Let’s see, I worked on a 1-month long Child Development Project where the salaries of 4 workers took up to 60% of the funds. It was reasonable. Then I implemented the same project with the same amount of funds. But instead of paid workers, I enlisted 15 volunteers. We gave the volunteers a small gift of appreciation and a T-shirt. Yet it only took 11% of the fund. It’s a huge difference. There was enough money left that we extended the project to 4 months. It probably had more significant impact and we helped more people get back on their feet. See, that is the power volunteerism hold. Maybe the money you saved by volunteering can be used to save someone’s life.
Sadly, most high schoolers and youths do community service initially for a certificate nowadays without knowing the impact they have, or what they are getting in return. There’s a 2011 study from the University of Michigan, it says that “People who volunteer because they want to help others live longer than people who don’t volunteer at all. But those who volunteer mainly for some personal benefit live no-longer than non-volunteers”. Only 39% of the teenagers who volunteered continue after high school. It's still a huge number but imagine 90% or above.
Twenty years from now, our children will be living in a world we – Gen Z’s have built. If you think about that, it’s the best era of all time. We show great awareness of mental health and its importance, we support equality and diversity, we value practical education and skills that are truly important in life. So why not pass it down to the younger generations. We have the capacity to create a leading path for others to walk on.
Look at that grumpy, emo kid. No one’s going to believe I looked like that just one year ago. Look how much I’ve changed now. Volunteering sure changed my life like a whirlwind. It was taken right after I volunteered. This is probably the happiest version of me. Who would’ve thought that sulky teenager would be talking right now on this stage? If I was able to change my life, so can you. The impact of your actions may not be immediately visible, but they leave a long lasting mark. You might not remember who or how you helped but they sure will. And you might not see how they are affecting you or changing you. But great changes take time. Show initiative and start taking actions for the problems you are concerned about.
Start volunteering. And if you are already a volunteer, then I LOVE YOU.