Volunteering isn't rewarding

Volunteering is about helping people and it is good you are pleased to be helping people. However, you should also be enjoying it! If your not enjoying it then maybe you should start looking at a different volunteer role because volunteering is just as much about you enjoying it also and it should be fun!

I volunteer at the Zoo in my city. I don't know if you have an interest in animals but if you do and you have a Zoo where you live maybe you should go on their webpage and see if they have any volunteer programmes. There are volunteers of all ages at the Zoo I volunteer at.

You say you are a teenager, well the zoo I volunteer at works like this. They have the normal volunteer programme which has a lot of teenagers as well as older people in it. However, the teenagers are over 17. For the 15 year olds to 17 years olds there is a special volunteer programme for them.

It is a lot of fun, people love to have a laugh and you learn so much you never thought you could ever know about animals.

Most of the volunteers there are women. However, there are some guys and the people are of all ages.

If you're looking for a way to connect with people your best bet will be to find activities where you can meet people like you, and for now that probably means young people. Volunteering is often an older person thing, as you've discovered...except maybe for political stuff. You might check out a political club...my area has bunches, including an "Anonymous County Young Democrats". You might also try Meetup groups for an activity you're interested in.

You took action to combat your depression, which takes bravery and determination. Good for you. It's more than many people do. If you keep trying different things on your own and nothing seems to work, I hope you consider getting professional help. We all deserve to have rewarding lives.

But why not a paid job?? Try a job where you need to work on your own And be independent. And to master your Social anxiety go To a festival! That could feel more fun than forcing yourself on volunteer to "fit somewhere". Volunteer is about Willing to do it no matter what. Is the Sole activity that shoudl Pay back; while you go there hoping to socialize; probably Will not work because many people in volunteer are lost with their own purpose. I did many different things, i like to volunteer for example at free parties And festivals and otherwise where i can really help people, like old people or children or disable, or for example once i did a teaching course for "non-digitalized" adults in the Neighbourhood, like old people who need to learn basic computer skills to go online in the bank or check email. Good look! Follow your heart!

Did you get SSL hours for it?

Maybe give the volunteer work a rest for about six months to year? Look for a therapist and a support group for people struggling with social anxiety disorder. I also think you ought to seek out an activity such as a class or hobby that is about something in which you're very interested so you can throw yourself into the activity. You just might find that you feel less awkward and anxious when you're around people with whom you share common interests.

Volunteering is great, but if it's not helping you or if it's leaving you feeling emotionally drained or fatigued it's completely fine to take a break, and please don't feel guilty about it.