Making Time to Give Back: How to Volunteer When Life Is Full

I know everyone is busy keeping up with their responsibilities—whether it’s work, family, or managing a household. So why am I thinking about, and talking about, making time to volunteer?

That’s a good question.

I believe each of us has a role to play in our communities. Being a contributing member doesn’t always mean making a financial donation. Sometimes, the most powerful gift you can give is your time.

But how do we do that when we already feel overwhelmed by everything on our list of things to do?

It comes down to setting boundaries, planning, being intentional with your time, and aligning your actions with your values.

Are You Making Time to Volunteer?

If you don’t make time to volunteer, who will?

If your answer is someone else. Yes. That’s correct, someone else probably will fill that volunteer job. But does it always have to be someone else? It could be you.

What’s Preventing Us?

Lots of things prevent us from donating our time, talents, and energy. For one thing, we are all busy.

Some people go from one job that they’re hired to do to the job of taking care of their home and family.

Other people can’t decide where to give their time. They may be interested in multiple volunteer organizations and haven’t yet figured out where they might fit in.

Another huge roadblock is guilt. You know that when you put time into one thing you are taking it away from something else because our available time is limited.

The problem here is that volunteering doesn’t require you to dedicate lots of time. Most organizations are happy with however much time you can comfortably afford to give.

Even Small Efforts = Big Impact

Have you ever noticed in the news or a local neighborhood Facebook group information about people gathering to do something? It could be a meeting about making improvements to the local school playground, gathering information about the feasibility of a dog park, or perhaps a call for people to help get a beached whale back into deeper water.

If you notice the call, it interests you, and you have time. Go ahead and volunteer!

There are also the once-a-year seasonal activities which may require you to give a whole day but then you’re done until the next time this event rolls around.

These seemingly small effort tasks add up to make a big impact.

Making It Work in Your Schedule

There’s a simple way to make a volunteer job happen. That is to treat it like any other important commitment and add it to your calendar.

Since volunteering is a choice, you get to decide where and when to make time for it. Look for an opportunity that is close to home or your job and that fits in with your already established routines.

Be clear about how much time you’re willing to give and stick to those boundaries, so volunteering doesn’t become overwhelming.

Benefits of Volunteering for You (and Your Family)

Did you know making time to volunteer does not only benefit the organization but also benefits you and your family?

It’s true. Research shows that when you participate in an activity which serves a purpose you give yourself a mental health boost. It is rewarding to know that you are helping.

When you give of yourself (your time, your talents, your compassion), I believe the goodness you put out into the world comes back to you twice-fold.

You will also meet like-minded people in your community. We are learning more and more that face-to-face connections are important. This is particularly true if most of your work is virtual.

Volunteering is one way to get involved with neighbors. There may even be opportunities to involve your children which lets them see first-hand that they can also make a difference in their community.

In one very real way, you’re working to help yourself by helping others. Find local organizations or causes that align with your values and give them an hour or two of your time.

Where to Volunteer?

Look around to see what’s available in your community. Is there a local food pantry or soup kitchen that needs some help? 

It may be that you do something to beautify your community. Maybe you work with your neighbors to pick up trash, trim hedges, or plant seasonal flowers?

Another community job could be to volunteer an hour or two to patrolling your neighborhood as part of a neighborhood watch program. This helps to keep your community safe.

Don’t be afraid to try different things. Make a list of possibilities and start making time to volunteer at one possibility on the list. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, move on to the next option on your list. Trust me, the number of organizations who need and want help is endless.

Very simply, you can check in with yourself and ask what would mean the most? Where would you like to make an impact?

Conclusion: 501C3 Organizations Need You

Maybe you are wondering why on earth would a professional organizer who usually writes about clutter, decluttering, hoarding issues, and other problems directly related to organizing be writing about volunteering?

Making time to volunteer is a planning and scheduling task which directly relates to managing your available time and is an organizational skill.

I am a volunteer and make time to give back to a local organization in Sandy Springs (The Sandy Springs Society) and to a professional organization (Institute for Challenging Disorganization).

A problem that I encounter in both groups is a lack of volunteers. It seems as though when someone is asked to volunteer, they always have reasons to say ‘no’.

I understand that it can be difficult to fit another thing into your schedule if it eats up lots of time.

If that is the issue, then sign up for something that only asks you to donate a little bit of time every other month.

Remember, these groups give back to the communities they serve, and they do so with only a very few (if any) paid professionals.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Sana Thomas the current president of The Sandy Springs Society. Sana says, “Volunteering isn’t just about giving our time — it’s about building a legacy. It’s about lifting others, creating opportunity, and leaving the world better than we found it. Every hour you dedicate, every committee you join, every idea you share — it all matters more than you know.”

Please send me an email if you’d like help managing your time to make room for a volunteer activity. You can reach me at: dnqsolutions@gmail.com

Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.

Diane Quintana Professional Organizer

Diane N. Quintana is a Certified Professional Organizer®, ICD® Master Trainer, owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC, and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize. Based in Atlanta, she specializes in helping clients with ADHD, hoarding behaviors, autism, and chronic disorganization. Diane is the author of five books and a contributor to ICD’s latest publication on chronic disorganization, where she wrote the chapter on Aging. She is the current President of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization and is passionate about teaching practical organizing strategies that stick. Please reach out to Diane today for help with getting your life or business organized.

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