Our culture holds people who are fiercely independent in high regard. There's a certain allure to being able to tackle everything on our own, without relying on anyone else which perpetuates the notion that you have to hit rock-bottom before you can reach out and ask for help. That you have to exhaust all other options before outsourcing.
That you have to have a certain level of mental illness to seek mental wellness.
So many stories of redemption revolve around people in crisis, teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown, before they finally seek the support they need to turn things around.
The hyper-independence that our culture promotes sounds alluring, but actually leaves us feeling isolated and lost. We try to change patterns and habits on our own, reading books, listening to podcasts, maybe occasionally confiding in a friend, but not wanting to overburden them with our struggles. It's not until the anxiety, lack of boundaries, procrastination or critical self talk threatens to push us over the edge, that we finally, often reluctantly, reach out.
As a life coach, one of my goals is to normalize seeking support at different points in our lives. Sometimes we are in crisis and therapy is absolutely the best option. Other times, we're just not thriving and the help of a coach or mentor can help us see different perspectives, build new habits and reach our potential.
If you want to make changes in your life, but feel that reluctance to ask for help, your hesitation is normal, but that doesn't mean you have to listen to it.
Take the leap.
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