How To Ask For Help When You’re Struggling

Sometimes doing it alone isn’t always strength—sometimes, asking is. 

You know that feeling when everything is technically fine—but also not fine at all? Like you’re wading through a river with a backpack full of bricks, pretending you’re just out for a walk? 

Yeah. That feeling. 

Whether it’s burnout, anxiety, sadness that won’t shift, or just a heavy season of life, we all hit moments where coping starts to look a lot like surviving. And yet, asking for help can feel like the hardest thing in the world. 

So, if you’re there—on the edge of saying something but not quite sure how—this is for you. 

First things first: You are not a burden. 

Let’s just get that out of the way. Your struggles are valid. Your feelings are real. And no one deserves to go through hard things alone. Sometimes, the kindest, strongest, and most self-aware thing you can do is say, “Hey. I’m not okay right now.” 

We promise, it’s not weakness. It’s brave. 

You don’t have to open the floodgates in a dramatic monologue. It can look like: 

• “Hey, can we talk? I’ve been going through a tough time.” 

• “I’m not really myself lately and I’m not sure what to do.” 

• “I think I might need some support. Can I share something with you?” 

Pick someone you trust—someone who listens more than they judge. That’s your safe space. 

You don’t need to have the “right words.” You don’t need a diagnosis or a perfectly organised timeline of events. You just need honesty. 

It’s okay to say: 

• “I don’t really know what’s wrong. I just feel heavy all the time.” 

• “I thought I could handle this on my own, but I can’t.” 

• “I feel like I’m drowning, and I don’t know how to ask for help.” 

Real connection comes from real words. 

Support can look different for everyone. Think about what you might need: 

• Emotional support: A friend to check in, a family member to talk to, a hug on a bad day. 

• Practical help: Someone to help with tasks, deadlines, or the stuff that feels too big. 

• Professional support: A counsellor, GP, therapist, or support service. 

You don’t have to pick one. Sometimes it’s a combination. Sometimes it’s just one conversation to get the ball rolling. 

Give yourself grace. 

If asking for help feels awkward or uncomfortable, that’s normal. It’s not a muscle many of us were taught to use. 

But it is a muscle—and the more you use it, the stronger it gets 

There’s no shame in needing others. In fact, that’s the most human thing about us. 

If no one’s told you this recently: 

• You are not too much. 

• You are not too broken. 

• You deserve care, compassion, and support. 

Asking for help is not giving up. It’s choosing to keep going—with backup. 

You’ve got this. And even if you don’t, you’re allowed to say so. 

So, if you’re standing at that edge—unsure, overwhelmed, or just plain tired—take the step. Ask. Reach out. Whisper it if that feels easier. 

Because the truth is, you were never meant to do life alone. Strength isn’t silence; it’s speaking up. And healing often starts with just one honest moment, one safe person, one small ask. 

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the first step by reaching out. 

You’re not alone. And you never have to be.