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Asking for help is self-care

About a month before my recent trip, I went for a walk. It was a beautiful day, and I set out on one of my longer routes to enjoy the blue sky and sunshine. About a mile in, my right knee hurt and in less than another half mile, I had to turn around and go home, resting multiple times along the way. I had done this route (about 5-7 miles, depending on my mood) many times before with ease. But this time, the pain was too intense to continue. 

When I arrived home, I elevated my leg, iced my knee. I was going on a biking trip to Croatia in a few weeks and realized I would not being able to bike – or even do walking tours – on my trip if I didn’t do something. I needed help.

I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. I had X-rays taken and she pointed out my feral GenX nature had caught up with me as my torn meniscus never healed properly. As a 13-year-old, I of course didn’t follow doctor’s orders for my soccer injury. I had developed arthritis and bursitis. She drained joint fluid and gave me a cortisol shot. Since then, I have been in physical therapy literally learning how to walk again.

I was able to go on my trip where I hiked in a Croatian national park, did a city walking tour, swam in the Adriatic Sea and completed half of the scheduled bike rides. I would not have been able to do any of those things had I not asked for help.

Recently, I have been reflecting on self-care and what it means to me. Is it getting the manicure, buying the new outfit, or just binging on my latest favorite show? After this trip, I realized asking for help is my self-care. This may seem obvious, but it isn’t easy. My mom would say, “You are the most independent child I know. None of my other lady friends’ daughters were so independent.”

And it is true. I am independent and proud of what I have achieved as a single woman in a male dominated world. Yet, I realized through this incident, I can’t always tough it out or go it alone. That doesn’t mean I don’t do any of the work, but rather, I get an assist – not unlike my e-bike on 5% grade incline on hills in Croatia. Asking for help is self-care.
It is hard to believe we are halfway through 2025. Maybe the things you hoped, dreamed or planned for the year have yet to come fruition. It is ok to take a pause and recalibrate as we are on the downhill path of the year. And, please remember it is ok if you can’t go it alone.

Ask for help. It is self-care.