Revisiting: Why Is It So Hard To Ask For Help?

Ironically asking for help with an article that didn’t take off

I recently published an article that didn’t take off. It had barely any reads, claps or comments. It was published in Mind|Body|Soul where I have previously had success and I thought it was a great article!

The gist of the article was questioning and exploring why we struggle to ask for help. I especially find it hard to admit when I need help.

So why didn’t it do so well?

Was I too raw and honest?

Was I not honest enough?

Is it because of Mediums new algorithm that has changed the home page? It would be easy to blame it on this, and not admit that perhaps my original article just wasn’t that good.

Was it not well written or formatted?

Was it not helpful?

Does the heading need some tweaking?

I really don’t know, and would love your feedback on why!

Why do we find it so hard to ask for help?

Here’s the original article where I delve deeper into why we struggle to ask for help and ways to overcome this.

Do you struggle with this too?

Many people feel that by admitting they are struggling with something, no matter how small, that they have failed. Or that they have something to be ashamed of.

Why?

We have all contributed to creating a society where we take pride in doing “all the things” ourselves. Where we boast about how busy or stressful our lives are, as though we have won some grand prize. And by doing so, we have made it a “shameful” thing to ask for help. To admit when we cannot keep juggling everything as well as deal with our emotions by ourselves.

Have you found this to be the case for you? Or are you one of those amazingly strong people who can readily admit when they need some extra support and help?

I discovered a song recently.

Its called “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.

The lyrics in her chorus resonate with me:

“Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.”

Now every time I baulk at asking for help, I sing this in my head. I repeat it over and over until I am able to reach out and admit that I am struggling.

Do you have a song or mantra that helps you?

If you have any articles you think didn’t go so well, what were they? Why do you think they weren’t popular?

Rachel Maree is a writer, mum and registered nurse. Bringing you the real truth to parenting, nursing and writing (even when it is downright ugly). You can read more articles or hire her to write amazing content for you — Rachel Maree.

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