Weekly: It shows strength
Quick reminder: you are not a stock portfolio, a corporation, or a product. You do not need to constantly improve and optimize yourself.
Be what you are — a human. Embrace your humanity. That's where your magic is.
In today's newsletter, we're covering one of the best ways to do so: by asking other human beings for help.
With love,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy
This Week
Old Happy: "Seeking help makes me weak.”
New Happy: "Seeking help makes me strong.”
Old Happy’s culture of individualism tells you that you need to do everything in your life on your own, all by yourself, and if you can’t, then you are broken, flawed, and unworthy. It’s no wonder that so many people struggle to ask for help — from a very early age, we are taught to avoid it at all costs.
The mindset is a recipe for both personal and collective pain. No one can do anything alone. Moreover, trying to do everything alone hurts you. Instead of leaning on other people’s strengths, insights, and love, you go without. It’s an instinct that makes the fine times feel hard and makes the hard times feel impossible.
People who ask for help are strong. Not just because they have shown that they’re willing to go against Old Happy’s culture. But because they are demonstrating that they are committed to persevering. They want to get better. They want to find a way to improve. They want to heal their pain. They see a brighter future and they are absolutely, determinedly, courageously moving towards it. What could be stronger than that?
If you are struggling to ask for what you need, I want you to say these words to yourself: “Asking for help shows just how strong I am.” Every single person out there needs help. And every single one of our lives would be a lot better if we all learned to offer more help to others and ask for it in return.
Tips and Tools
1. Fully experience it — This week's animation.
2. With every step — You’re worthy no matter what you do.
3. Action leads to motivation — Don’t wait to be motivated.
4. Where you look — Reflect on the year.
5. Different directions, same support — Love and support them.
More from TNH
Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less
Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.
Articles — Read more articles on our website.
Community
What do you need some help with?
"Feeling motivated."
"Advocating for myself at work."
"My mental health."
"Navigating conflict with my partner."
"Having a difficult conversation about emotional validation with the person I am dating."
"I need help organizing/planning/hosting several upcoming parties/events! The holiday season is both fun and overwhelming."
"I need help with knowing how to handle a change in a looong time friendship. Should I explain what happened, or is it best to just move along and let it fade away?"
Inspiration
1. Are you a morning person? You might have Neanderthal genes (NYT) — Fascinating! (And let’s stop judging people for their morning routines, okay?)
2. Amateur archaeologists find lost Tudor palace in back garden (Guardian) — “Many of us were brought up in the village, and you hear about this lost palace, and wonder whether it’s a myth or real. So we just wanted to find it."
3. You don’t have to be good at your hobbies (Vox) — “Give yourself permission to suck.”
Before You Go
No spam, just joy.
