The English poet John Donne famously said, “No man is an island.” That line was written three centuries ago, but it still holds true today. No one is born into this world alone and no one has to leave this world alone. It is through interconnectedness that young children develop into adults, yet somewhere along the way, many adults have picked up this idea that they should never ask for help.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you are human. When you’re struggling, you should always ask for help. The worst someone can do is say “no,” though they’re most likely to say “yes.” Here are three situations when you can’t go it alone.
1. When Something is Physically Wrong
Surprisingly, many people can have physical symptoms of a problem and still delay making an appointment with their physician. Maybe they fear receiving bad news or maybe the fear being poked and prodded. Whatever the reason, if something is bothering you, it’s unlikely to go away on its own. In fact, it could even get worse.
If it’s cancer, by the time it progresses into something bigger and you finally get to the doctor your odds of survival could be greatly diminished. When something is ailing you, that’s your body trying to tell you it needs some outside help. Never delay seeing the physician.
2. When You Have an Addiction
Becoming addicted to a substance such as alcohol, pain killers or illegal substances is an easy hole to fall into. Getting out is a process. If you’re struggling with addiction, there are people who can help you. But first, you have to reach out.
Every situation is unique. Some people do better with residential addiction treatment while others just need someone to be there for them. Whatever your case, give yourself some slack for being human.
3. Financial Issues
Asking for help when you’re struggling financially is especially hard. Nobody wants to feel like a burden. Help doesn’t have to come in the form of asking family and friends for money, though it doesn’t hurt. You may also do well figuring your situation out with a little help from a credit counselor.
There are ways out of any issue. You just have to ask, because often times, you can’t do it alone. Being human is something everyone has in common, and a part of that is making mistakes.
