Giving Back When You Have Nothing Left

Helping someone else is the only thing that actually stops the ringing in my own head.

Last Tuesday, I found myself staring at a blank canvas in a drafty community center basement in Kenora, wondering why I even showed up. My own creative spark felt like a damp matchstick, and the burnout from my day job was heavy enough to sink a boat on Lake Superior. I had nothing to give, or so I told myself. But then a teenager from the local youth collective asked me how to mix a specific shade of bruised-purple, and suddenly, the weight shifted. I wasn't an artist struggling with a deadline anymore; I was a human being helping another human being see something beautiful in their own work. It’s wild how quickly the "I can't" turns into "we are" when you're just showing up for someone else.

We live in a world that constantly asks us what we’re getting out of every interaction, which is exactly why volunteerism is so important these days. In our corner of Northern Ontario, where the distance between towns can feel like a physical barrier to connection, these small acts of service are the glue holding our sanity together. When you lean into a local arts organization or help a tiny collective move some gear, you aren’t just working for free. You’re engaging in a radical act of self-preservation. It’s an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) hack in real-time—choosing to act on your values even when your brain is screaming that you’re too tired or too sad to move.

There’s a specific kind of dignity in being useful without a price tag attached. It creates this feedback loop of resilience that you just can't get from a self-care app or a "treat yourself" haul. When I’m down in the trenches with a group of volunteers, trying to figure out how to keep a community gallery running on a shoestring budget, my own anxieties start to feel less like a cage and more like a background noise I can finally ignore. We’re building a healthy arts sector up here in the North, not through massive grants or corporate sponsorships, but through the sheer grit of people who refuse to let the loneliness win. It’s about creating a third space where we aren't just consumers or employees, but neighbors with a shared purpose.

If you’re feeling stagnant or stuck in a loop of negative self-talk, don’t look for a mirror; look for a window. Find a place where your hands are needed, whether it’s hanging posters for a local punk show or teaching a kid in a rural township how to use a camera. It’s not about being a martyr or saving anyone, because let's be real, that's a bit cringe. It’s actually about the fact that your mental health is intrinsically tied to the health of the people standing next to you. Kindness isn’t a finite resource that runs out when you're tired; it’s a muscle that gets stronger the more you use it. Start small, stay grounded, and remember that showing up for a cause is often the loudest thing you can do for your own peace of mind. Taking that first step toward a local collective might just be the pivot you need to stop surviving and start actually living again.

Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation

Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we're exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.

Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.

Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities at Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.