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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I do a fair amount of parent volunteering (scout leadership, sports coach, some school volunteering, but not PTA-level). Pre-COVID, I felt like I could manage it all much better. Now I feel like I am failing at all my volunteer activities and just burnt out. It takes me days to respond to emails and texts. I feel like I’m doing the bare minimum, and I feel guilty about it. Other organizations are asking for help (church, more school stuff), and I feel like I just don’t have the bandwidth, but I feel like I jerk for saying that.

I talk to some of the other moms in my organizations, and I know they feel the same way: we just can’t do it at the level we did before.

What is happening to me (us)? Why do we feel this way?[/quote]

Could it be because you got used to a less stressful way of life during COVID and don't want to return to the old way, with so many obligations?

My kids are older, so I don't have as many opportunities to volunteer for their activities, but I still do some work in the community. However, to some extent, and especially when it comes to kids' activities, I am working to come to terms with where I stand following the pandemic. Before COVID, I loved giving my time to volunteer organizations, even though it made my life stressful. It was a source of pride and made me happy.

Since COVID, I have felt empty. I never volunteered so that I would get something in return. But my motivation was based on a world view of interconnectedness and a moral purpose in using my privilege (especially flexible work hours) to serve others. Now, I can't get myself to feel that same "we are all in it together spirit."  Personally, due to my family's experience, I'm depleted so volunteering feels more like an unwelcome demand and not something I look forward to.[/quote]

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