Shut This Ego of Yours Up | Accept Support from Others
By: Zeina Dagher
Tags: Support, Kindness Matters, Seek Help, Be Kind To Yourself, Kindness

There’s no shame in asking for support when you need it. It’s amazing to be independent and work things out on your own but doing so by yourself all the time can take a toll on your mental wellbeing. It’s true, helping others and being there for them all the time brings meaning into your life and satisfaction, sometimes happiness. It gives you a sense of purpose. But you’re a human being as well, you too need help at times. Imagine your giving is like planting a seed in a field, one day, this seed will grow to become a plant or a tree which in turn, will benefit you in the end. In this world of ours, we function on the law of balance. Nothing goes one way. You give and you get back so that you create balance. The idea is for you to accept support and later give back because giving back teaches us to find compassion and to create this balance.

Think about it. Here’s the deal:

- When you seek support, you remain focused as you’re sharing your task with someone else. You ease your tasks.

- When you seek support, you’ll create chances for others to share their talents. You empower others and you learn more about their strengths and desires.

- When you seek support, you allow others to feel the happiness that comes from giving.

- When you seek support, you trust others and this trust strengthens your relationship.

- When you seek support, you admit that you’re flawed just like every other human being and people will relate to you. We all have room to grow one way or the other.

So, what can you do to break the ice and start accepting help from others?

1- Allow yourself to be susceptible

Practice letting go of control. You need to allow yourself to feel vulnerable so that you can let others step in and lend you a hand.

2- Ask yourself why

When you have difficulty with others taking control, try to look for answers and find out why you feel this way. Ask yourself — Why am I stopping others from helping me? Is it because I feel unworthy of this help? Do I want to feel strong all the time? Am I even invincible?

Only you can answer these questions and trust me, you’ll find the rational answers to them.

3- Give the people around you the opportunity to give back!

Don’t be greedy. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Give others the chance to do the same.

Accepting support isn’t only about you. It’s also about the person you’re allowing to give you. It’s about you making them feel appreciated and trusted. Change your mindset. Have an open mind and give others the chance to give you like you give them.

4- Be grateful and feel their appreciation

Start a journal of gratitude. List down how thankful and grateful you are that someone in your life is caring enough and willing to give you the support you need. Not many people are fortunate and blessed with receiving or finding the help they need.

5- Practice asking for help… it will be given

Whenever you need help, ask! Don’t let your ego take over and stop you from doing so. Don’t fear rejection. Allow others to help you and if they don’t wish to do so, there’s nothing wrong with that. Move on and seek support elsewhere.