Asking For Help Does Not Make You A Burden

Where did we start getting it wrong—that asking for someone to stand beside us means we’re incapable of standing alone? That reaching for someone’s hand to hold makes us weak? That leaning into another person is something to be ashamed of?

Who told us strength was only found in ourselves—that accepting help, or guidance, or assistance from another person makes us pathetic? That letting ourselves be led, or carried means we are fragile? That every time we grab hold of a person for support we’re only losing our sense of self?

This is wrong, so so wrong.

Why is it that we spend so much of our lives pushing people away? We’re scared to love, scared to feel, scared to look weak, scared to ask for help. We spend so much time searching for something that feels real, and yet, when it comes to feeling that genuine connection, vulnerability, transparency—we back away.

Ironically, we only find depth when we choose to open, to peel back, to reveal our tender selves to one another.

It is in those moments of ‘weakness’ that we truly gain strength.

Asking for help does not make you a burden. Reaching towards someone and pulling them close, crying on their shoulder, grabbing their hand, listening with tear-filled eyes to their words of encouragement—that doesn’t mean you’re not strong enough to carry forward on your own. It doesn’t mean your less capable, less strong, less able.

Asking for help simply means you’re acknowledging your humanness—something we all share. You’re leaning on the people you love and who love you to bring you back to your feet again. You’re stepping on the edge, pushing off, propelling forward.

You’re doing what you can to survive and you don’t have to apologize for that.

Stop thinking you are less of a powerful being simply because you’ve fallen down. Stop thinking that the people in your life will discredit you because you’re reaching for them. Stop thinking that your mistakes, your pain, your momentary doubt is an annoyance.

Anyone who loves you will open arms to you, not think you’re a burden.

Everyone needs a boost sometimes; don’t beat yourself up when your time comes.