Asking for Help

Hi, my name is Erin. I'm a recovering "I don't need any help" person. I've been uncomfortable receiving and asking for help as long as I can remember.

Requesting support can often make us feel vulnerable. We usually think (somewhat erroneously) that we should be able to do everything ourselves or that by admitting we need help, we are somehow being weak.

What is it about men that makes them think that asking for help seems like a weakness, not a strength? Why do we place such a high value on "toughing it out," especially when it can cut us off from optimal solutions?

All around us are people who are available to help us in some way. The challenge is being brave enough to ask.

When recent events left me in a situation that involved a broken foot, cast to the knee and crutches for a month, I realized it was an opportune time to take a closer look at my would-rather-do-it-myself reasoning.

Perhaps we could take a lesson from the prosperous: don't be ashamed to ask for money. There's nothing shameful about taking care of yourself and your family.