Following on from my previous blog on Spring Cleaning for Retirement, here are some ideas on how hobbies, passions and interests can also enrich your return on life.
You’ve heard the saying; ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!’. So modern thinking tells us that exercising our bodies and minds, enhancing our skills, and broadening our understanding of the world helps us live healthier and longer. I’ve not seen much written about hobbies which I believe can also enrich our communities and help those in need if we use them to give back, so here goes;
Over the last few years interviewing many inspiring people for Island Influencers involved in our community charities and organisations, provides me with a valuable opportunity to help.
The Power of Passionate Volunteering in the Isle of Man
When you think about volunteering and charity, you probably imagine lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed. You might not actually enjoy picking up rubbish in a park or lugging boxes to a clothes bank or charity depot. I can think of no better example locally than Bill Dale of Beach Buddies who has inspired thousands of us to join him tidying up our beaches and riverbanks.
But selflessness is part of giving. And if everyone was more willing to step outside of themselves from time to time and pitch in, the world might be a happier place.
If you can integrate hobbies and passions into your volunteering, you might feel motivated to give back even more. You might also be able to use the things you’re good at or know a lot about to make more specialised contributions to causes. This could transform the obligations you feel towards your neighbours into a way to share a bigger part of yourself. You might even inspire more people to do the same.
As you take a more active role in your volunteering, you might also pick up some new skills that you can use in other areas of your life. Your expertise could make you an ideal team leader, challenging you to grow as a communicator and learn to work well with a broader group of people. Furthering an organisation’s mission could help you develop your time management and organisational skills. You also might learn more about the cause you’re helping and discover more ways you can make an impact.
Volunteering around your hobbies could also be a great way to expand your social circle, especially valuable for any new Isle of Man residents and recent retirees. Meet people who share your talents and interests, and you’ll create lasting friendships that make your volunteer work and your personal life more fulfilling. If you’re looking for inspiration, it was Margaret Mead who said; “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has”
Do More of What You Love to Do
Start thinking about your favorite hobbies, as well as things you’re interested in learning more about. Somewhere in your community there’s a person or an organisation who can benefit from hobbies such as:
Gardening
Volunteer at your local community garden or set one up. There’s one at Isle of Man children’s centre. I always fancy that one day I’d like to volunteer at Milntown. If anyone knows of local schemes, get in touch and we can try to promote them. If you just like being outside you can offer to help elderly neighbours and relatives with basic garden jobs like mowing the lawn.
Building and Crafting
Organisations like ‘Men In Sheds’ need skilled craftsman alike to help them come up with projects and supervise some of our senior citizens in their island centres. You can find out more from excellent charities like Live at Home and Crossroad for Carers charity. You could also volunteer at schools or Youth and Community centres to lead crafting workshops or teach the basics of sewing, knitting, or woodworking. Isle of Play is an excellent charity doing some amazing work with our children.
Sports
Many youth sports programs depend on volunteer coaches. Your love of the game and your knowledge of proper tactics and techniques could help to inspire the next generation of players and fans. Here’s a link to Isle of Man Sport to be put in touch with sports’ local governing bodies to learn how you can get involved. Also listen soon for my podcast with Vicki Hotchkiss, a director of FC Isle of Man.
The Arts
Artists and musicians can teach classes, perform at nursing homes and hospitals, and organise community concerts and art fairs that raise money for charities. Learn more from contacting the Isle of Man Arts Council. Community bands such as our local pipeband help generate an atmosphere at many events throughout the year As for dancing you can learn how to get started and become involved in community dancing and helping out. Here’s one example in Swing Isle of Man.
Make Time to Give More
Almost all charities depend on financial generosity. But time is the one resource we have to give that we can never make more of.
Visit our office and let’s talk about how our Financial Planning process can help you spend your time in more fulfilling and meaningful ways by making sure you’ve got enough money to sleep at night, and something to leap out of bed for in the morning.
