Everyone will undoubtedly have to help someone who is struggling at one point in their life, whether that be from a serious illness, mental or physical, or even someone who is simply going through a hard time in a stage of their life. However, sometimes it can be seriously difficult to help someone to overcome the problem they are facing, consequently having negative implications for yourself, as you usually end up feeling terrible for not being able to solve their issue. All you want is for them to be happy, yet everything you try seems to become a failure…

There is never any one straight forward answer to deal with things like this, that’s why they are so difficult! You most likely do not want to appear overbearing towards the person you may have in mind, but at the same time you want to ensure that they are aware that you are, and always will be, there for them no matter what they are attempting to cope with. I have one person in particular in mind as I write this, someone who I held close to my heart, particularly whilst they were struggling with their habits and their quality of life because of this.

Throughout not only trying to help the individual I am picturing, but also other people I have attempted to aid in their upset, there is one key element of which will always be the best way to support someone, no matter the context of the situation – listening. Not even providing advice, just listening. A large majority of people only need someone to be willing to listen to how they are feeling, and only then to be reassured that what they are feeling, or what they are doing, is not untoward or in any way a burden to you.

It Is also important to consider people who are trying to help the original individual, and how THEY are in fact coping with that – people who help other people do actually need help themselves too! It’s normally the people who appear to be holding it all together efficiently, to actually be the one’s in need of the most help. Rejection, in my personal opinion, is one of the most hurtful concepts someone ever has to endure, so put this into a situation of someone rejecting the assistance from somebody who only wants the best for them… do you know what I’m talking about? I thought so.

Love Eleanor xx