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Have a Day

Helping Someone Who’s Struggling

By Chloe swiftPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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All through my life, I’ve been told that as long as you're happy, everything is OK. But what about when you're not feeling your best?

We all need good people around us who can hold us up when we’re starting to drown in the water we call life. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have that support and ends up suffering in silence.

But that can change.

There are many ways you can show your support for a friend. Here are just a few.

Encouragement

It’s important to encourage your friends to be open about their struggles. Let them know that it is good to open up and share their feelings, as it sometimes helps to talk it out with someone.

Trust

Trust is at the forefront of becoming that supportive friend, but be aware—trust is something you earn. If a person can’t trust you, they won’t tell or give you anything.

It often helps to show that you have trust in the person you're trying to help. It makes them feel better and makes it easier for them to trust you.

For someone to trust you, you have to prove you can be trusted. Maybe they’ve told you something. For example, they might share a secret of theirs with you or tell you something they wish to keep private, and you as a friend need to keep that secret. Don’t go around telling everybody and talking about it with other people. That will lose their faith in you and then you're back to square one and they’ll invert and keep it to themselves, which isn’t healthy for anyone!!

Positivity

Positivity is key when dealing with a friend who’s not feeling themselves. It helps lift their spirits and can even get them back on track again.

When they open up to you, they will often talk negatively if they are feeling down, and you can help motivate and encourage them by being positive, looking at things from a different perspective when they find it hard to, and this could often shed light on the situation and lighten their mood.

Understanding

It’s important you show you're understanding a person when they open up to you, as at that moment in time they feel alienated because they are not themselves.

All a person wants is to be accepted, especially when they are in a time of need, so it’s important you as a friend make sure you're open and you listen to what they are telling you. That way, you will understand and can give a better and clearer judgement of how to help.

The person you're helping needs to understand a few things, as well. They need to know that:

1. It’s OK not to be OK.

2. Pain is temporary.

3. They are not alone.

Help

Last, but not least: Help. Whatever you can do, do it. Leaving someone to deal with their problems alone can cause more damage sometimes, and they could just end up “digging themselves a deeper hole.” If you believe they should seek medical attention, then tell them. Help them to arrange appointments, go with them to the appointments, support them in whatever they feel they need to do to get over it or move on with their lives.

Listen

Overall, the best thing you could ever do as a friend is just listen. In so many cases, people just want someone to listen. For someone to take time out of their day to just listen to you is the best feeling in the world, especially when you’re not feeling your best.. It makes you feel important and accepted. That’s what we all need, right?!

Something to Take Away...

Quote: Have a day.

I know you're sad, so I wont tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day. Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes, and don’t give up on yourself just yet. It’ll get better, I promise. Until then, have a day.

Disclaimer!!! I by no means am a professional and do not think this is how it works for everybody. I’m just speaking from experience and what helped me when I was in need. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully you’ll take something away from it. All in all, thank you!!!

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About the Creator

Chloe swift

It’s my view, everybody thinks differently.

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