How often do you volunteer for things? Why do you think that is?
I rarely do.
You have to be someone really in distress for that to happen and then I will do it for the love of it, and not to make someone happy. I rarely care about that.
If it's someone able who needs a little bit of help, I'm rather the person who will efficiently teach you to fish and leave you with all the work. I might also help you through other things to give you a boost if you're motivated enough and know what you're doing, but that's about it.
Otherwise, the only volunteering I did was relevant to my career. There was some learning experience behind them.
The reason why I'm not that much into volunteering since a long time ago is that because people start expecting you to do their bidding. Even those you love.
When I was a kid, I grew up fond of challenges and solving problems. At one point, I felt a pattern of manipulation going on. As in they would insidiously speak comments that mean they expect everything I do to be beyond perfection, pushing their luck,...etc. I despised the very attempt to manipulate me and I started saying No to the people I love with a smile. I figured back then that not all people are in control and have the moral decency to feel gratitude and simply shut up. After all, I thought, why would they feel gratitude for something that came for free? Most of us are ungrateful on different levels. That's what I figured out back then, and I started valuing myself and my time more.
I think there are only a few relationships where one is expected to volunteer and to help naturally and it feels effortless.
If it feels like a chore, don't do it.
If it's too often, how do you do it less? and of it's not often enough, how do you do it more?
I think there are many ways to give and contribute to the world. Each one of us has their own. Volunteering is not mine.