Being a woman in today’s world is no easy ride. Between juggling work, family, and social life, the pressure can build up. As an independent woman, you might also feel pressure to handle problems independently, which is how deeper problems can manifest themselves. Rather than facing it alone, reach out and ask for help. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Knowing when it becomes too much
Sometimes a problem can creep up on you before you even know it’s a problem. One late night at the office becomes two, two become five, and the next thing you know, it’s a weekly habit you can’t shake. Burning out is common among women; you could suffer without even knowing it. Maybe you skip meals or stay up too late trying to check tasks off the to-do list. Or it could even be pushing yourself too hard at the gym. Soon you’re exhausted, which seriously affects your mental and physical health.
Take a look at your routine. Has it always been like this? Or are these new habits a recent development? You might have had an event trigger this change or feel a new pressure to do well at work or home. Comparing yourself to others is another way you might start to feel the pressure, which can force you to push yourself too hard. Take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re happy and if your lifestyle is healthy. If the answer isn’t ‘yes,’ then it’s time to ask for help.
How to get the help you need
How you get the help that you need largely depends on the problem. If you’re struggling to manage your workload, your employer can help you.
If you’re doing too much at home, talk to your partner about how they can assist you with reducing stress. For problems without an easy solution, like depression or low self-esteem, then professional help may be the answer.
Where not to turn for help lowering stress
It’s important not to turn to substances to alleviate your problems. A glass of wine at night may seem fine to start with to ease the day’s stress, but how long until you depend on it?
And medications you started taking for a health issue may be ones you come to rely on to get you through the day. If you feel like it’s beyond the point of just stopping, then going to rehab or undertaking a rapid opiate detox might be another step to take on your path to wellness.
Sharing your feelings with others can ease your dependence on vices and alert them to how you feel so that they can keep an eye on you. But this can only happen if you open up and ask for help.
When you take a step back and realize where you’ve been going wrong, take steps to get your health back on track for your mental and physical well-being. Recovering from a knockdown or bad patch will take time, so try not to feel frustrated if you don’t feel better overnight. Take each day as it comes, and be sure to ask for help when you need it.
Top photo: Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0.
Beautiful post! Very helpful and honest words we should all listen to ❤️
So glad to know you find it helpful! Welcome to the community xx
Been in this situation more frequently than I like to admit. Women today are often expected to be Superwomen, and if we don’t manage everything from home to job to family perfectly no one is harder on us than ourselves. Sometimes the most important thing a woman can do is give herself permission to not do everything; to leave something undone or not worry if the house is spotless, etc. Sometimes we need help, or at least to stop putting so much pressure on ourselves.
Yes! It’s ok to reach out for help and, in fact, many people would love to be able to help as it’s a great feeling! Thanks Amy and I’m so glad you realize you don’t have to be heroic every moment of the day xx
Indeed, Christy, indeed. Hugs on the wing.
Hugging you back xx
Great post!!
I loved this Christy. We are natural born woman warriors and most definitely take on too much and we’re also the ones who tend to exert ourselves because we take care of ourselves last a lot of the time. :) <3
It’s true.. I do it too sometimes.. it’s particularly women, yes.. I send much love (and know I love myself too) <3
You know it girl! <3
It’s really good to share our problems with our near dear ones and in today’s busy life all are living with different kind of pressures. Really good work dear. Kudos! Sorry previous comment half posted.
It’s really good to share our problems with our near dear ones.Its true that
So thank you for this Christy :)
Thank you for this Christy. I really appreciate the power of writing that’s why young as I am now, I’m dreaming that someday, somehow people will realize it’s genuine value. I just bumped into your article not knowing that as of the moment, these words/ideas are the things I needed the most, not just to me but to a friend of me. So thank you for this one Christy. I salute your wordings and all! Best regards. XOXO :)
Awesome post, Christy! You are so right. It is okay to ask for help. Women need to come together and support each other! :)
Yes, yes, yes! Absolutely, Christy :)
Hugs!! :)
Great tips I liked when you say above: “Comparing yourself to others is another way you might start to feel the pressure which can force you to push yourself too hard”. WE´d better use ourselves as “model or point of reference”, for good or bad. Having other parameters can reinforce us and help us improve… But change is a personal proccess and we are in charge, right!?. . HUGS <3
Yes, why compare ourselves to others when we are all such unique beings? I wonder what Plato would say? Hugs!! Thanks for these great comments, Aqui :)
I owe you that reply… am guessing Aristotle might have said something in his “Ethics”. I´ll let you know. xx Thank you for the “challenge” Hugs <3
Ohhhh challenge accepted then ;) BIG hugs, Aqui!!
xxoo :D *happy week* :star:
And happy weekend ahead, shining star! :)
Same to you :star: xx
Great post – I’ve been there, and I’ll bet most women have.
I was married for 18 years and when I went through the divorce, I was so stressed. I decided to not drink ANY alcohol for 2 years, for two reasons. I didn’t want it to be a crutch, and I wanted to feel all of it, so I could get past it. And, it was my idea to divorce! It’s a hard thing no matter if you want it or not.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s hard for both sides, the person doing the breaking up and the person being broken up with.. Thanks Loretta for sharing your story xx
Yes!!♡♡♡
Thank You for this. I have always thought that ‘no one will understand’, then I keep whatever issues I have, to myself, which complicates things..But I am gradually getting to learn that we all have more in common than we think.
So I know I don’t feel alone anymore, I can now ask for help and confide in certain people..
Excellent and essential post for all women.
A most helpful post, Christy. I has really helped me today.
So glad to hear that, Robbie xx
This is so beautiful and very much needed. There is no shame in it
Exactly. “No shame”
Absolutely spot on with this one.. So knowing the juggling act of keeping a full time high pressured job running a home with two children too.. It does catch up .. And if we ignore the signs like I did, it will come up to bite you hard..
For it is then only a trivial thing which will be added to the mix that will be the last straw to break the camels back as they say..
So wise words of advice
<3 Love and Hugs
Thanks for sharing your words on this subject, Sue, so we know we are not alone <3 Hugging back
Hugs right back.. <3
Just in time for me.. lovely piece of advice
This is a really important issue and I’m so please you are bringing light to it. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it is human and necessary. Great post.