The Side Quest That Saved My Sanity

Are you tired of feeling like a background character in a world that’s falling apart? What if the quickest way to find yourself is to get lost in someone else’s problem?

I spent three months staring at the same water stain on my ceiling in Kenora, convinced that my anxiety was a permanent roommate. I was doomscrolling until my thumb went numb, watching the world burn in 4K while I stayed frozen in my bed. It’s easy to feel small out here in the North, where the trees outnumber the people and the silence can get loud enough to hurt. I thought I needed more "me time," but that isolation had turned into a prison of my own thoughts and a very unhealthy relationship with lukewarm pizza and a decaying sleep schedule.

Then I signed up to help paint a mural for a youth center in Dryden because I was desperate for any reason to put on real pants. Honestly, volunteerism is so important these days because it forces you to step outside the Echo Chamber of Me. When I was there, nobody cared about my five-year plan or my curated digital aesthetic. They just needed me to hold a ladder and pass the brushes. It sounds so basic, but there’s a weird, quiet magic in being useful without expecting a paycheck or a "like" in return. It’s a total vibe shift when your hands are busy enough that your brain finally stops screaming.

This isn't just about being a "good person" in some performative way. It’s behavioral activation in the wild. When you show up for a local arts festival or help a neighbor clear their driveway after a massive lake-effect snowstorm, your brain gets a break from the ruminating loop. You’re practicing mindfulness without even trying because you have to stay present to get the job done. It’s about realizing that while you might be struggling, you still have something of value to offer to the collective. It validates your existence in a way that self-help books rarely do.

Our arts sector in the North survives on this kind of grit and community care. When we build these little pockets of support, we’re creating a safety net that benefits us just as much as the people we’re helping. It’s about dignity and mutual respect. Seeing a kid's face light up because you helped them record their first track at a community studio does more for your nervous system than any "self-care" bath bomb ever could. You start to see yourself as a thread in a much larger, more resilient fabric rather than a glitch in the system.

Don’t wait until you feel "fixed" to start giving back. You can be a hot mess and still be a help to your community. Volunteerism is so important these days because it reminds us that we aren't isolated islands floating in the bush; we're part of a neighborhood. Take that tiny step, join the local collective, and watch how the world starts to look a little less terrifying when you’re facing it with someone else. You’ll find that by lighting a path for another person, you accidentally ended up walking out of the dark yourself.

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.