Breaking The Stigma Around Asking For Help
We’ve all been in a situation where you’re struggling but at the same time you tell yourself (and maybe others) that you can deal with the situation by yourself. Why? Because it can embarrassing to ask for help even when you really need it and it can make you feel weak. The truth, however, is that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness at all, and it’s actually one of the bravest things you can do, no matter what the issue might be. So why does it feel so hard?
The answer is that there’s a stigma attached to asking for help and for some reason, we’ve been conditioned to believe that asking for a bit of support means we’ve failed. But that’s not true - it’s the opposite. Read on to find out more.
Why Do We Avoid Asking For Help?
The first thing to consider is that we’ve generally got a fear of being judged - what if people think we can’t handle things because we need some help? Then there’s the pressure to be strong or to look as though we’ve got everything together and we know what we’re doing (which, by the way, no one really does anyway). Plus, social media doesn’t help the problem with reels and posts showing everyone in their best light with seemingly perfect lives.
But the truth is that no one’s perfect, and everyone has struggles - they just hide it, perhaps like you do. So asking for help isn’t about admitting defeat and giving up, it’s about realizing there’s an issue and wanting to learn how to deal with it. Put it like that, and it’ll feel very different.
Normalize Support
It’s time we made some changes, and the more people who do it, the more the world will be an easier place to ask for help and get it in. Instead of seeing asking for help as the last resort, it’s far better to see it as just a part of life and as soon as you know you can’t do something, getting help should be the first thing you do.
And there’s so much support out there that you’ll get the guidance, advice, and answers you’re looking for as soon as you ask the question. If you’re struggling with a relationship, for example, relationship counseling can help make things clearer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, talking to a trusted colleague or mentor might give you the solutions you need to move forward. The point is, help is out there, so ask for it and you’ll get it.
Start Small
If the idea of asking for help seems daunting, start small - start by talking to someone you trust about what’s been on your mind and see how much better you feel. Remember, you don’t have to go into lots of detail if you don’t want to, you can still get help if you don’t want to tell someone everything.
Plus, professionals are there for a reason, and getting help from therapists and counselors or even live coaches isn’t something to be ashamed about - it’s how you can make your life better and achieve your goals.
