It’s called comfort zone for a reason.

Being comfortable is wonderful, no doubt about it. But it’s when you step out of that cosy comfort zone and get uncomfortable, that’s when you’ll find real growth. Read about Samantha Aloysius experience who set out to challenge herself by stepping out of her comfort zone. Find out what she has learned along the way. 

Samantha (holding the sign) started volunteering with Crossroads Foundation after she quit her job.

My adventure started a few months ago…

…when I decided to quit my job of 3.5 years, pack up and leave home. I had a good job and was pretty comfortable with the way things were.

Except, I wasn’t satisfied.

I didn’t feel motivated or challenged at all and I knew that if I remained status quo, I would continue to cruise on and never really know what could have been.

So with that, I decided to finally step out of my comfort zone and take an active step towards pursuing my dreams once again, which eventually led me to Hong Kong, where I started volunteering with Crossroads Foundation.

I had previously gone on a gap year and volunteered overseas on several occasions, but I always had a plan in mind on where or what I would be doing after.

This time was different.

I did not have a definite plan on how long I would be volunteering for, or what I was going to end up doing next. I had no job to go back to, no backup plan to fall back on.

It was just a giant leap of faith. 

Perhaps it was stability that caused me to abandon everything back ‘home’ for something new. Perhaps it was just me crying out for a new challenge. Whatever it was, it worked because I have not looked back since!

I have met the most amazing people since moving to Hong Kong, and working at Crossroads. People from various walks of life, I knew that somehow, they were all meant to cross my path because they taught me something new every day.

At the Engagements department, I got to meet and work with external corporations and institutions who are keen to give back and be involved in Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

 It was an eye-opening experience networking and learning about how different industries were doing their unique part to give back both locally and globally.

Through interviews, meetings and listening to other volunteers and staff share, I have learnt that there is so much more to the traditional ways of giving back to society.

Anyone can be a part of the change, and it doesn’t take a lot to create impact.

With easy access to knowledge, tools, technology these days, we have many opportunities to create ways of helping our community or others who are in need whether you are an individual giver, a corporation, school or family foundation.

Being involved in the Global Experience Simulations offered at Crossroads was another way for me to be exposed to a small fraction of poverty and the realities of conflict and crisis in war-torn countries. This allowed me to be motivated to take action towards helping such needy communities. Manual labour of loading containers with much-needed resources for shipment to countries like Kazakhstan and Ghana, for example, allowed me to make myself useful. It also taught me to be grateful for what I have in life because simple things like stationeries, toys and used computers meant the world to others who do not have such ‘luxuries’.

Volunteering with Crossroads Foundation

At the end of my 3-month volunteering stint with Crossroads…

…I found myself staying on for longer in Hong Kong because a job opportunity had opened up!

I take it as a sign that my time in Hong Kong is not up, much less my volunteering with Crossroads! It has been a rewarding 3-month journey for me as I have gotten to meet people whose experiences inspire and keep me grounded in my purpose of wanting to serve others in need.

The work at Crossroads has allowed me to see beyond just giving or volunteering my time, but to think about how I can influence my spheres of friendships and networks.

Together we can create a larger impact.

About the author: Samantha Aloysius is originally from sunny Singapore but has lived and worked in China, Australia and most recently, Hong Kong. Previously from the healthcare sector, she is now an editor for a productivity site and hopes to use her writing to give voice to those in need on the sideline. She is passionate about women and child health, education advocacy, and brewing a good pot of chai. Get in touch with Samantha through LinkedIn here. 

Are you curious about Samantha’s voice? Listen to our interview with Samantha here and find out why she enjoys volunteering with Crossroads so much. 

Want to hear more about Crossroads Foundation? Find our interview with David (DJ) Begbie, Director of the Global Xperience programme at Crossroads Foundation here.