02 October 2006
8 ways to get involved this autumn
You may be tempted to stay in bed until the winter's through, but there are loads of better things to do as the leaves turn brown and the nights draw in, says Najiba Abdellaoui.
My first instinct when I see fall approaching is to crawl under my blanket and read loads of books, drink gallons of hot cocoa and eat loads of healthy food, to keep away the flu. However, this fall I want to urge myself and you to take a more proactive approach. Here are a few things you can do to get you started.
1. Put practical idealism into practice
I know from my own experience that it is pretty frustrating to stay sitting on that beautiful purple cloud of how things should be, while around us things are quite the opposite. If your teacher/boss keeps printing handouts one-sided, take action and raise the subject. Idealism doesn't end with the purchase of a 'Save the trees' t-shirt - walk the talk!
2. Visit a non-profit project
If those dark and moody days give you a feeling of boredom, there is only one remedy: make yourself useful. On a local level there are a lot of projects that deal with important issues and that need helping hands. You could, for instance, visit your local youth centre and see how you can contribute.
3. Watch TV with a message
The easiest thing to do this autumn is to lean back and watch soaps on TV. You could, however, take a more critical approach and select the programmes that really provide you with new insights and creative views.
4. Create an online photo album
Make pictures of everything that you did this autumn and get your mates to do the same. Share these pictures on an online photo site like flickr and inspire and activate each other to make the most out of this autumn.
5. Be creative
Do you have a creative talent? Are you gifted with the power to paint or photograph eye-opening images, or write earth-shaking protest songs, poems or short stories? Use this autumn to drain your creative talent for a good cause.
6. Attend a rally
Of course an earthshaking protest song is worth nothing if you cannot put it to good use. So, skim the web and find a rally you can attend, such as the Stop Climate Chaos March on 4 November in London. Invite your friends to come with you and take photos for your online photo gallery!
7. Have a fair trade, organic makeover
We all know the importance of healthy food. One way to guarantee a healthy inner self is to eat organic and fairly traded food. Every supermarket has an organic section nowadays, and most stock Fairtrade, so there is really no excuse not to eat healthily and fairly.
8. Clean your closets
There is nothing better for a clean and clear mind than a clean closet. So, forget spring-cleaning and drive the dark autumn clouds in your mind away by cleaning out your drawers and take them to a second hand store nearby.
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I am from Moroccan origin but live in the Netherlands. I like to write short stories, poems and plays and to read and discuss interesting subjects in my spare time.
