Picking Up Litter, Picking Up Confidence

This blog is part of the "Walking My Path: Celebrating Small Wins" series by Isaiah Montgomery. 

Over the years, I've done a lot of volunteer work. I've volunteered at a few different food pantries, at Feed My Starving Children, at a summer camp, at church, and participated in several volunteer projects that my mom organized. I enjoyed pretty much all of them. However, when I was asked which one was the most fulfilling, it was a project that I initiated in 2000: cleaning up litter a few blocks from my house.

Why It Stuck With Me

A few blocks from my house, there’s a wooded road where I often go for walks or ride my bike. It’s a really nice, quiet area, but for some reason, people thought it was ok to throw litter on the grassy area near the trees. There were plastic bottles, food wrappers, bags, and random things that looked like they had been tossed from car windows. Every time I passed by, it bothered me. I did not like how it looked.

One day I decided I was not going to ignore it anymore. I grabbed a garbage bag and gloves, walked to the road, and started picking up trash. I did not plan it out or ask anyone to help. I did not even tell my family until I had already started. I just knew it was something I wanted to do to make the area look better.

That is why this project stuck with me. It was not something that my mom or someone else organized that I signed up for. It was an idea that I came up with and chose to do on my own. I realize that picking up litter does not take a lot of planning, but the fact is that I took the initiative and chose to take action.

What I Learned From Taking Initiative

To some, it may not have seemed like a big accomplishment. Some may have even thought of it as a dirty job that was someone else’s problem. For me, it felt like I was finally solving a problem that had been stuck in my mind for a long time. I believe it probably bothered other people too, especially the families who live in the houses across the street from where the litter was piling up.

While I worked, a few people passed by. Some helped for a minute or two. Others slowed down to say thank you and tell me they appreciated what I was doing. That made me feel seen, and it also showed me how one small action can motivate others to care about the same space.

When I finished, I looked back at the cleaner shoulder of the road and felt proud. The difference was obvious. More than that, I knew I had done it because I chose to, not because anyone told me to.

This experience taught me a few lessons about myself:

• I can take initiative. I did not wait for a sign-up sheet or instructions. I saw a problem and stepped in.
• I gain confidence when I serve. Doing something useful, even for a short time, made me feel more capable.
• One person can make an impact. A bag and gloves were enough to make that stretch of road look and feel better.

Sometimes we think service only counts when it is part of a big project. I learned that leadership can also be quiet. It can look like noticing a need, making a plan that fits your ability, and following through.

Acts of Service Build Confidence

Another reason this cleanup meant a lot to me is that it helped me feel more confident. Confidence does not always come from big awards or long projects. It can come from small choices that you stick with, even when no one is watching.

Taking action with kindness helps the community, but it also helps you grow. I walked away knowing I could make decisions that matter on my own. That gave me a stronger sense of independence and responsibility.

Final Thoughts

When I think about all the volunteer work I have done, this cleanup still feels like the most fulfilling. It reminded me that making a difference does not have to be complicated. Often it starts with noticing what is right in front of you and deciding to act.

That is what my “Walking My Path: Celebrating Small Wins” series is about. It is about noticing the little steps, celebrating the progress, and understanding how each choice moves me forward.

 

 

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Isaiah Montgomery, son of Believe & Be Brave founder Stacey Montgomery, is passionate about sharing his personal journey. He frequently contributes to The Believe & Be Brave Blog through his series, Walking My Path: Celebrating Small Wins.

©2025. Isaiah Montgomery. All rights reserved.