This time of year we’re all reminded to be grateful. This year in particular has been trying. We’re more isolated due to lockdowns, quarantining and social distancing than ever. A particularly volatile election has taken place and very recently. And COVID-19 hangs like a specter over all of us, changing our daily lives over and over again. These are scary and stressful things but they will pass. The dark cloud over this year also makes it more important than ever to observe what you’re grateful for in you life! Whether it’s your family, friends, or home. A beloved pet, a favorite coffee shop, anything that makes your life a little brighter. It could be tiny - but if it makes a difference to you it’s important.
Paying it forward is also a wonderful way to help others find a little brightness in their day to day lives (and it brings me SO much happiness to see someone else smile). So if you’re able, consider showing your gratitude to others - whether it’s offering help, funds, food or time to someone who could use it. Here are a few pandemic friendly ideas to get you started!
FREE
1. Volunteer to call the elderly and lonely and #cancelLoneliness with Mon Ami
A number of volunteer phone banks have popped up to help folks call the elderly and lonely during COVID-19. This way to pay-it-forward is completely free, you can make your own schedule and will personally experience the impact you’re having on someone else’s day.
2. Clean up your neighborhood
This is a zero planning required option - just grab a garbage bag and gear up for the outdoors. Remember to stay safe! Wear gloves and a mask outdoors and don’t pick up any hazardous materials without special no-touch equipment (syringes, feces, or other disturbing items - sounds gross but I live in NYC and have sadly seen all of these things on a walk with my dog). Always thoroughly wash your hands before right when you get home and before you reach up to take off your mask!
Charitable
3. Deliver food to those in need or start a virtual food drive or fundraiser.
COVID has made it harder for the hungry to get consistent access to food and normal canned food drives may be harder to find this year. But there are still lots of ways you can help others! Consider starting a virtual food drive with food banks of NYC, donate to a charity like NoKidHungry, or join a meals on wheels team for some local contactless food deliveries. Your local church or soup kitchen may also have needs you could help with - if they’re no longer physically open you can always email to see if they’re doing any sort of outreach.
4. “Adopt” an Animal or Sponsor a family
While you may not actually want to own a pet or maybe can’t - you can still symbolically “adopt”, sponsor an animal or provide an animal to help another family! Many local rescues and large charities offer an option to do sponsor or adopt an animal - some will send you updates, others may send you a picture and a little backstory. You can also gift a farm animal to a family in need (think goats, bees, cows, chickens) to provide them food and income. No matter what, your money will either directly (local rescues) or indirectly (large charities) go to an animal or family in need. Here are a few to check out: Woodstock animal sanctuary, Heifer Internationals Gift an Animal Program, and World Wildlife Fund.
5. Sign up to foster rescue animals
This is a wonderful way to give back (and cute to boot!) but it’s not easy and probably not for everyone. If you have the space, patience and LOVE animals - consider volunteering to foster animals! This is an especially wonderful way to prevent loneliness during the pandemic as well - but be aware that these little fluff balls (dogs, cats, bunnies, you name it!) will need attention, supplies, and space! If you’d like to start fostering - consider a resource like Adopt to Save, or if you’re in NYC Muddy Paws Rescue.
6. Sign up to be a Patreon sponsor of a favorite artist, rescue, or maker
If you have a favorite artist, maker, or shelter/rescue you follow on social media - consider checking to see if they have a Patreon. Patreon allows you to make small monthly donations to specific persons of your choosing and usually the artist/maker/rescue will provide you with exclusive updates, sneak peeks or bonuses. Here are a few I love: Rancho Relaxo Animal Sanctuary, Juniper Fox, Carlye Wisel, Conscious Kid.
Connect with Family + Friends
7. Organize a family gift exchange by mail
Holidays may look a little different this year to keep everyone safe but that doesn’t mean the holiday fun needs to stop! Organize a fun family gift exchange, collect participants, set a price range (keep it under $100 folks), assign giftees and collect mailing addresses so that everyone gets a fun holiday surprise from a loved one. Remember to have everyone ship early this year!
8. Set up family video chats (psst - invite everyone)
Many families have already started some form of video catch up so now’s your chance to make it a routine thing! Use a free software like Google Meet/Hangouts and invite your family for a once a month virtual gathering! It may help to have a routine to get conversation going - for example have everyone give an update on the exciting (or mundane) things they’ve done in the last month!
9. Start a hobby club
Love to read? Cook? craft? or play an instrument? Ask your friends and family if they’d like to join you! Some services like Book of the Month’s Bookclubs will handle curating and shipping your book or craft for you. But you can always do it yourself as well! The key is to pick a craft, book, recipe, or piece of sheet music in advance (you can have the group vote on what they’d like!) and then send out the ingredient list or sheet music via email. Then pick a day or time to all hop on a video chat together and make, discuss or play whatever you picked!
10. Refill your household’s cup
Just as important as paying-it-forward is replenishing your (and your family’s) store of energy. If you’ve been helping others a lot lately - do something fun just for you or as a family unit. Recharging is JUST as important as doing good and it gives you the energy to keep giving back!
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