[Image description: A photograph of a manatee, taken above water. The manatee is resting their grey head on the edge of a pool, with one flipper up as well. TEXT: “You are strong, but that doesn’t mean you have to fight alone. Please ask for help if you need it, or a hug, or a cup of tea. Or just ask for someone to be by your side.”]

[Photo credit. Read this, it’s great.]

I think a lot of people think that to be strong, you have to be completely independent and never show weakness and fight all of your battles by yourself. And that’s not true. Even the strongest people have others to lean on. Friends to hug, parents to make them dinner, and acquaintances to wish them a good day.



It’s okay to ask for help, or to ask someone to give you a big hug because you feel so much weight on your shoulders you need someone to share the load. That’s all okay. You are important, and loved.