Breaking the Cycle: How giving back transformed my perspective
My real journey started when COVID-19 turned the world upside down. It was such a bizarre, surreal time. Before that, I had only heard people talk about how unpredictable life could be and what it feels like to lose control. But living through it was something else entirely. The pandemic pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to rethink a lot of things. I wasn’t just dealing with the isolation and uncertainty — there was also the grind of doing the same thing over and over. The routine got exhausting. With less social interaction and no chance to go outside, my mental health took a hit. And on top of that, I was in the middle of preparing for my 12th-grade board exams, with all the pressure and no idea what the future would look like.
Even though my family tried their best to help, I still felt this constant feeling of dissatisfaction, like something was missing. The sense of accomplishment, the gratitude I used to feel — it had all kind of faded away. Then a friend of mine invited me to join them for a small, simple activity: distributing masks and sanitisers to workers at labour camps. It wasn’t a huge deal, but that one experience changed a lot for me. Meeting people who were doing everything they could just to get by, working so hard to support their families back home, made me feel more grounded and present. For the first time in months, I felt alive. That’s when I realized that I needed to snap out of the cycle I was stuck in and start doing things that mattered.
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Eventually, this became something I couldn’t stop thinking about. I started visiting labour camps regularly, where migrant workers, far from home, were struggling to get by. We’d hand out food packets, clean drinking water, and other essentials. It wasn’t anything grand, but it felt like the right thing to do. It gave myself and my family a sense of purpose, a way to make even a small difference during such a tough time.
What started as a way to cope with the pandemic grew into something much bigger. It’s now a tradition for us. Every time I come back home from college — whether it’s for a holiday, festival, or even a short break — we make it a point to visit these camps and continue the work. It’s become a routine, not because we have to, but because it feels like the right thing to do.
Looking back, what started as a simple response to a tough situation has become a huge part of who I am. This whole experience has humbled me and given me a sense of purpose that goes beyond just school or career. Wherever life takes me next, I want to keep this commitment to service alive. Doing something for society, even if it’s small, gives me a sense of fulfilment that nothing else does. I’m excited to keep finding new ways to give back and make a difference, no matter where I end up.
I also want to encourage more people to take part in these kinds of activities. I know we’re all caught up in our careers, studies, and personal goals, and those things are important, no doubt. But giving back to the community — whether it’s volunteering, donating, or just showing up to help — has a way of grounding you that nothing else can. It’s not only incredibly fulfilling, but it’s also good for your mental health. It pulls you out of the stress and routine, and it reminds you that we’re all part of something bigger. So if you ever find yourself feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just looking for a sense of purpose, try doing something for others. It doesn’t have to be big — small gestures can have a huge impact. And in the end, you’ll find that giving back gives you so much in return.
