TLDR; Don't lose focus of what is important. Sometimes we're better off focusing on the problem to be solved, rather than perceived social obligations.
Where I live, we have pebble beaches and there have been government cuts to sweeping them away. It becomes more apparent during the winter and windy weather. My local community was gathering volunteers via Facebook to help sweep them away on a regular basis.
And I wanted to help, but then I heard the ideas people were suggesting and I quickly realised I couldn't, or wouldn't.
The problem to solve was to remove the pebbles on the beach on a regular basis. Their solution to solve it was to create a regular time, have coffee available, create a theme, and have someone coordinating it. And how nice it would be to have a good old chit chat and turn it into 'an experience'.
All I could think of was: I'm happy to help, but really I want to do a bit of sweeping when I pass that way, get a bit of exercise in, and then carry on with my day. Could we just have access to a storage box to use the tools and solve the problem of a very pebbly pathway?
The overcomplication of solutions is a problem in community. We really don't have to turn everything into a social experience. For many, it's enough to come and do the work, and then carry on with their life. That is still a community contribution. Showing up, making the place better.
There are still social opportunities this way, which I am not against.
For example, more than one person could easily end up helping out at one time, and strike up a conversation. That works.
Or maybe I could take a photo of my efforts and share it later on social. Who knows, that might even start a movement.
The point is, it's ok to focus on efficiency over social engagement expectations. It can feel amazing, ensure we get important things done and we can still find ways to connect and build community through it.
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