Over the course of a few weeks recently, I asked for a helping hand with all kinds of things:
My daughter painted my nails for our friend’s birthday celebration. It’s not something I do well, and she’s brilliant at it. It was a delightful treat to have glamorous hands for a few days.
My husband did all the late-night pickups in an unexpected week. We share most things pretty evenly, but he knows I power down early. It made a big difference.
Three local friends with dogs of their own took care of Freddie for a day when we all had to be somewhere else. They shared walking and being with him, he had a fabulous time, and we could focus on what we needed to.
What a gift.
It’s wonderful to be able to lean into a support network. To ask for help and receive it. To know you don’t have to do everything on your own.
We just need to remember to ask in the first place :-)
If you’re anything like me, you may be super happy to offer help, but not so good at requesting it. But there’s a magical reciprocity to receiving as well as giving.
Of being helped as well as providing it.
Of feeling a little more balanced.
Of knowing it’s not all down to you.
And yet, so many things can get in the way! A belief that we need to be self-sufficient, a sense that it’s easier if we figure it out on our own, experience of not getting the support we need…
And that’s absolutely fine, but it’s never too late to make some changes.
To ask for a helping hand with something you don’t have the time, energy or skills for, to find a sounding board to bounce an idea around with, to get support for a temporary challenge or a longer term one.
Is there something that would take the weight off your shoulders?
And could you ask for, and appreciate, a helping hand?
Wishing you a week of asking for and receiving the support you need,
