Do Something.
This week are excited to welcome guest blog writer Thanishka. Thanishka is a passionate storyteller and creator, always seeking ways to connect with others through words. Writing has been a lifelong love, from crafting stories to song lyrics and poems. Thanishka thrives on exploring new ideas and expressing themselves in creative ways that resonate with people.
I remember being 12 years old and nervously tying my shoes before heading out the door. It was my first time volunteering, just a small afternoon at a local event. I didn’t really know what to expect. I just knew I wanted to do something that made a difference, even if it was small. The world felt too big sometimes, and I was still figuring out how I fit into it.
When I got there, the room was warm, full of chatter, clinking spoons, and friendliness. I was asked to hand out drinks. Simple, right? But somehow, it felt like more. People smiled. Said thank you. One guy told me about his day. Someone else complimented my hoodie. Another asked if I liked tea or coffee better, and we got into this whole random debate about it.
At the time, I thought I was just pouring juice.
But it wasn’t really about the juice. It was about presence. About being there. Letting myself be seen on more than a physical level. I was just a kid still trying to figure things out, and somehow, I felt like I mattered in that space.
Since then, I’ve done other things, like packing hygiene kits, tutoring kids in math, and once I even helped design posters for a food drive. But I always go back to that first time. It wasn’t fancy or impressive, but it stuck with me. I think that’s the thing with volunteering, it sneaks up on you. You think you’re helping others, and somehow you end up being helped too.