The Strength in Asking for help
There’s a quiet moment in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse that stays with many of us:
“What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy.
“Help,” said the horse.
Just one word.
And yet—for many of us—it’s the hardest to say.
We’re often quick to help others. We offer time, energy, care. But when the tables turn, when we’re the ones struggling… something in us hesitates.
We say, “I’ll be fine.”
We say, “It’s not that bad.”
We say nothing at all.
And so, we carry on—quietly overwhelmed, gently unraveling.
Why is asking so hard?
Because somewhere along the way, we started to believe that asking for help means we’re failing.
We worry what people will think.
Will I look weak? Will I be a burden? Will they think I can’t cope?
So instead of reaching out, we dig in. We push through. We tell ourselves, Just keep going.
But the weight builds. The smile stays, but the shoulders droop. We feel it in the tension we carry, the tiredness we can’t quite shake.
The truth?
Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s an act of quiet courage. A recognition of our limits—and our humanity.
I’ve been there too
For a long time, I thought I had to do everything on my own. That needing help was something to feel ashamed of. That it meant I wasn’t strong enough.
And then—like it does for so many people—burnout arrived. Not all at once, but in waves. I felt disconnected, drained, and alone.
Eventually, I said it: “I need help.”
And something shifted.
People didn’t turn away. They leaned in. They shared their own stories—moments of struggle, of uncertainty, of finding their way back. That simple act of asking opened the door to connection, to support, and ultimately, to healing.
I often wonder what might have changed if I’d spoken up sooner.
What I’ve learned
Here’s what I now know about asking for help:
You’re not alone. Truly. Even if it feels like it.
People want to help. And they don’t need you to have the perfect words.
You don’t need to be at breaking point. You can ask before you fall apart.
It’s brave. Vulnerability always is.
You don’t lose credibility. You gain clarity.
How to begin
If asking for help feels too big, start small:
Reach out to someone you trust. A friend, a colleague, a coach.
Be honest, even if the words are simple: “I’m struggling today.”
Let them in. You don’t have to hand over everything—just a corner of the load.
A few gentle what-ifs…
You're staring down a staff meeting presentation and the clock’s ticking. A colleague offers, “Do you want a hand with that?”
Your instinct says, “I’ll manage.”
But imagine if you said, “That would really help—thank you.”
It might change everything.
Or maybe someone asks, “Are you okay?”
You’re not. But you smile, say, “I’m fine,” and carry on.
What if, just once, you said, “Actually… I’m finding things tough today.”
That moment of honesty might be exactly what you need.
A closing thought
If you’re reading this and feeling stretched thin—know this: you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Strength isn’t just found in resilience. It’s found in recognition.
In knowing when it’s time to stop holding it all together and let someone hold a little of it with you.
Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s choosing to go forward—with support.
