When was the last time you asked for help? Some people might have an immediate answer, but others may need to sit and really think about it. But why? Why do people often struggle to ask for help?
Too often, people believe that asking for help makes them seem weak or ashamed. However, asking for help is not a sign of weakness or something to be embarrassed about, but rather is a necessary human trait we should take pride in. Chris Melore of StudyFinds expresses how researchers surveyed thousands of adults in the United States to determine how people feel when asking for help. The survey found that 73% of people wait until they absolutely have to before asking for assistance, with only 27% reporting that they feel comfortable asking for help early on. Additionally, 53% of people admitted that .trying to handle everything alone actually prevented them from reaching goals.
This study reveals that far too many people hesitate to ask for help because of fear of judgment or because they believe that being independent is a better alternative. As someone who favors independence, I sometimes struggle with asking for help because I’m afraid of being judged and don’t want to seem incapable of completing a task. However, the help we receive saves time and reduces stress. Struggling longer than necessary is a sign of weakness.
While asking for help in general is something a vast majority of people struggle with, there are specific areas that impact them more than others. Another study reported by StudyFinds and reviewed by John Anderer found that 53% of Americans struggle with asking for financial help because of fear of judgment, while 87% of respondents said they have financial stress.
While asking for financial aid is different from asking for help to complete a task; it’s also something we shouldn’t be ashamed to do. The study notes that 64% of Gen Z respondents struggle with asking for financial help, showing that the generation that is widely considered to be more open than others still struggles with asking for help.
One resource that holds great potential when it comes to asking for help is social media. Of course, we all know how judgmental people are on social media, so you have to be cautious. In a best-case scenario, social media should be an easy place to get quick advice from many different perspectives, but just be prepared for potential hate. Once you work your way through the mess, there should be people willing to help and give advice. When we ask for help, there are ultimately only two outcomes: receiving the help or not. The fear of potential judgment shouldn’t outweigh the possibility of receiving the benefits that come from asking for help. At the end of the day, asking for help doesn’t make you weak, but reveals the honesty in who you are. It shows that you care about improving yourself and your situation, rather than struggling in silence.