The Strength In Asking For Help

We have this obsession with 'self-made' success and 'independent' strength. We think that asking for help is a sign of weakness or a burden on others. So we suffer in silence, trying to carry the weight of the world on our own shoulders until they eventually snap. But here is the real talk: nobody—literally nobody—gets through life alone. The strongest thing you can ever do is admit that you can't do it by yourself. Vulnerability is not a leak; it is a bridge.

There is a massive amount of hope found in the community. When you share your struggle, you realize that you aren't the only one dealing with it. You find out that your friends have been through similar things, or that there are resources available that you didn't know about. By asking for help, you are giving someone else the opportunity to be kind, which actually makes *them* feel good too. It is a mutual exchange of humanity. We are meant to lean on each other.

Hope is the belief that things can get better, and often, that 'better' starts with a conversation. Whether it is a therapist, a mentor, or just a good friend, getting those heavy thoughts out of your head and into the air takes away their power. They seem much smaller once they are spoken out loud. You don't have to have the answers; you just have to be willing to ask the questions. You'd be surprised how many people are willing to help if you just give them the chance.

Think about a time someone asked you for help. Did you judge them? Probably not. You probably felt honored that they trusted you. Your friends feel the same way about you. Don't rob them of the chance to support you. We are all 'works in progress,' and we all need a hand every now and then. This is how we build resilient communities—not by being perfect, but by being honest about our needs.

Today, if you are struggling, reach out to one person. Just one. Tell them 'I'm having a hard time, can we talk?' It is the scariest and most hopeful thing you can do. You don't have to carry the whole load. Let someone else take a corner for a while. You will be amazed at how much lighter the future looks when you aren't walking toward it alone. You've got this, and you've got us.