When life doesn’t go to plan, do you ask for support? Don’t wait until you’ve hit rock bottom
Earlier this week my youngest son got food poisoning. When he’s well he’s high energy (unless sleeping), so when he’s sick - he’s a shadow of himself. As I was cleaning up the mess that didn’t quite make it to an easy flush, I asked him if he wanted a glass of water to rinse his mouth. Leaning over the loo waiting for round two, he replied, “can you sit with me, I just need your support”.
Rewind five hours earlier and I was working on this blog post. I wanted to highlight when’s the best time to ask for support in our lives and here in this moment, my son knew exactly what he needed and importantly how to articulate that need. Wow.
So what happens to us as adults?
I suppose life gets more complicated. We can be clueless about our needs (even though we may clearly know our wants), so how can we voice them and reach out, asking for help?
So then when is the best time to receive support, to help process or face what you’re dealing with in your life?
Well, that depends…
If you’ve got this far, I’d say now!
If you’re going through one of the well-documented major stressors in life, I’d say yesterday…
death of a loved one
divorce/separation
personal illness or injury
job loss/starting a new job
trying to conceive and pregnancy
moving
retirement
(Side note: If you went through one or more of these major life events in the past you may still be holding onto pain and loss - be open to exploring help and support no matter how long ago).
Only from my life experience (being at rock bottom more than once), do I know to ask for help early. In my younger years, I thought I could figure it all out on my own, asking for help wasn’t needed or I’d have to admit I had failed and show my weakness (oh where to begin!)
Until I got to the stage when I couldn’t hold out any longer, my body was screaming for help - I desperately needed support and what I hadn’t anticipated in the process is that it would lead to a spiritual journey of self-discovery.
Once I got the support and the right kind for me - it was a no-brainer, and I would often ask myself “why didn’t I do this sooner?”
So the ball is back in your court.
Your healing journey, aka ‘support through major life events’ begins again (or for the first time) now.
Be open to new opportunities to heal. You have to start somewhere. See what presents itself in your life. Maybe it’s a course or workshop, seeing a therapist or trying Reiki (the obvious sell 😘). Truly though, all I care about is that you find the support you need, to help with whatever you’re going through.
You don’t have to do it alone and you don’t have to know what your needs are, just that you’re ready and open for help and support.
Imagine the kind of world we could live in if everyone got the support they needed and was active in their healing journey, taking responsibility for their life - recovering from current and/or past wounds, learning about themselves, interacting with everyone from the highest good…
Good luck on your next step and for choosing a happier life, knowing that you’re worth it!