I once volunteered for about a year doing a 3d printer lab at a library. It quickly became a commitment that I would dread every other Sunday and it burned me out so I had to stop. It put me off from wanting to volunteer again. I'm generally a helpful person and don't mind sharing my time with others, but the work like commitment really ruined it for me. Maybe if I didn't have a full time job it might have been more enjoyable.

Or maybe I'm actually an awful person that lied to myself about my ability to be generous. Idk.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

nah, you've got to be able to recharge, and people take a lot. an entire year of sundays is a long time. take a break, and if you're able your library would love to have you again, as would your community. if once a month is something you're more able to do long term, they'd say yes.

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 2 days ago

You’re not a bad person for not being able to keep up with it! It’s literally unpaid labor. The key is finding volunteer work that doesn’t feel like work and leaves you energized after you’re done with it. For you that wasn’t helping out with 3D printing, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can volunteer for that’s fulfilling to you.

[–] baines@lemmy.cafe 3 points 2 days ago

nope, it’s just most people are trash, the disadvantaged included

i volunteered for the homeless for a few years and while many were good people, plenty were not