Day 21: Be Charitable to Others Today | A Meaningful Existence

Charity can sound like something for the wealthy or the saintly: big donations, galas, years of selfless service. But giving comes in many sizes. Today's challenge is to be charitable in whatever way fits your life right now.

Giving and happiness

In a well-known 2008 study published in Science, Elizabeth Dunn, Lara Aknin and Michael Norton gave participants either five or twenty dollars to spend by the end of the day. Some were told to spend it on themselves, others on someone else or on charity. Those who spent the money on others reported greater happiness that evening than those who spent it on themselves. The amount didn't seem to matter much.

Later research has found similar links in many countries, though as with most psychology findings, the size of the effect varies. Giving isn't a happiness hack, but it does seem to be one of the ways people feel more connected and purposeful.

Ways to be charitable today

Give money. A small donation to a cause you care about counts. If you'd like your money to go further, charity evaluators such as GiveWell publish research on effective charities. Local causes like a food bank, hospice or school appeal are also worthwhile.

Give time. Many organisations need volunteers for short, one-off tasks. Look for a local volunteering centre or ask a charity you like what they need.

Give skills. If you're good at writing, accounting, design, cooking, fixing things or teaching, offer an hour to a community group or a neighbour.

Give things. Donate clothes, books or household items in good condition. Food banks often publish lists of the items they're short of.

Give blood, if you're eligible. Check your local blood service's guidance.

Give attention. Visit or call someone who's lonely. Listen properly to someone who's having a hard time.

Charity of spirit

"Charitable" also means generous in how we judge others. Today, try giving people the benefit of the doubt. The driver who cut you off, the colleague who snapped, the stranger who seemed rude: what might be going on in their lives that you can't see? A little charity of spirit makes your own day calmer too.

Give wisely

Check the organisation. Registered charities are listed with regulators in many countries. Be wary of high-pressure appeals and unsolicited calls.
Ask what's needed. Unwanted donations can create work for charities. A quick check beats a well-meant mistake.
Consider regular giving. Small monthly donations help charities plan, and they make giving a habit rather than a one-off.

Involve others

If you have children, let them choose a cause and help decide how to give. If you work in a team, suggest a group volunteering day. Giving together multiplies the effect and the enjoyment.

Today's challenge

Do at least one charitable act today, whether money, time, skills, things or generosity of spirit. Write down what you gave and how it felt.

Sources and further reading

Questions people ask

How do I know a charity is legitimate?

Check that it's registered with your country's charity regulator, look for clear information about what it does and how it spends money, and be cautious with unsolicited calls or high-pressure appeals. Evaluators such as GiveWell publish detailed research on some charities.

Does giving time count as much as giving money?

Both matter, and many organisations need volunteers as much as funds. Choose what you can genuinely offer. An hour of skilled help can be worth more to a small group than a modest donation.