How do I ask for support from my support network when I don't know what I need help with?
Hi!
I find it easy to state that I need help. Usually in the moment, when I ask for help, the response returned to me is "How can I best support you?" I'm really stunned by this question because I find it really difficult for me to come up with an answer to that question.
For example, I'm currently feeling stressed out and unsupported at work by my manager and coworkers. My boyfriend is in medical school, and he is not able to be more emotionally available due to a high workload. I'm feeling anxious and really alone because I feel the need to do everything by myself.
What suggestions do y'all have for pinpointing what kind of support you need? Where would you generally start when trying to find out what to ask help for?
@niceSugar8318 I agree with you that "How can I best support you?" is a useless question. Worse than useless, really, because it is trying to make you support the person you are seeking help from.
To pinpoint what kind of support you need, and to find out what help to ask for, I suggest you discuss your stress, anxiety and loneliness with someone who has good active listening skills. Any experienced listener here at 7 Cups should be able to help. Look in Browse Listeners for someone who has a Chat Now button and lots of good reviews.
Charlie
@niceSugar8318
that is really great question but as you must have seen not all listeners have experience in all topics , for starters you can select the topic your problem most closely resembles to ,even then if you have no idea , just name it as anxiety. and while you are communicating with a listener , you will give your situation , what are you going through , what are the things or activities or situation that made you sad today . These are some of the many question that listeners may ask ask to deduce your problem .
it might sound a little off but " how can i best support you? " is a great starting line to start the chat , it does sound a little rude without starting line , so please bear with us.