If it's not fun, it's not sustainable

Recently, I left a community organization board meeting with a heavy heart. We'd argued over whether or not to buy insurance, some of us didn't like a proposal put forward by someone but didn't feel comfortable expressing our opinions, and somebody else lamented the fizzling out of a program we'd implemented earlier in the year. The meeting had not been much fun.

But this meeting had merely joined a long list of occasions where community work had seemed like a chore. Neighbors battling neighbors, screaming at government officials at public meetings, frustration when folks don't show up to events... so often making the neighborhood a better place seemed to be about self-judgment, doing penance for the fact that collectively we live in a far from perfect world.

This should be fun, right?

After the meeting, a friend's words came to mind and shone clarity on the situation: "If it's not fun, it's not sustainable". This was a reminder that many, if not most, grassroots "doers" (I prefer this word over "activist", which often carries more militant connotations) operate on limited time, with small or no funds, and with little professional experience. They get involved through a passion to make a difference; they want to enjoy what they do.

Sadly, things often go wrong. Many doers start with positive passion but over time become jaded and cynical, slipping into verbally back-stabbing opponents and self-flagellation for perceived failures. Most people strongly dislike arguing, strong pressure, and punishment for failure. Confronted with even small doses of this, those who want to get involved attend one meeting and never come back.

Why is it that, bearing enough hardship earning a living wage, we want to come home and apply the same pressured ethics to volunteering? Have modern norms of constant productivity infiltrated the sacred spaces of play and volunteerism? How important is it for us to take a load off, to enjoy our time away from the wage world? Do we know how to have fun anymore?

This family barn-raising looks fun. Continue!

For 2012 and onwards, I propose that we promise ourselves to enjoy life as much as possible and never to let our voluntary activities lose a sense of joy. If something isn't nourishing the soul anymore, if it has degenerated into something negative, consider whether that activity is right for you.

Be at ease with the fact that there is always more you could do, but you can only do so much. Do whatever fits in with your need for happiness. You only have so much time and energy to give, you bear enough weight already. There are certainly hard times even with projects you love, but in the big picture don't cross the line into misery. Be creative and make sure that fun is a part of every step: bake cookies for a meeting, play a game, ask people how their day was, hold gatherings in interesting places, tell team mates how much you appreciate their camaraderie. And remember: Celebrate celebrate celebrate.

And don't give a damn about what other people think you should be doing. Remember, in the long run, you probably won't keep it up if you're not enjoying it.

Have fun, no matter what you do.