Who do you turn to?

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CrazyMulberryLightningRubiginousInAbuDhabiWithEnvy
Published on
Wednesday, 04 June 2025
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The story

It’s heavy being that person — the reliable one, the strong one, the “they’ve got it” one. You carry so much for others, but when it’s your turn to break a little, it feels like no one’s there to catch you. Like your strength became a mask that made people forget you need care too.

And that’s exhausting. Not just physically, but emotionally — like your needs keep getting put on the back burner, even by you. You’re not alone in feeling that way, even though I know it can really feel like you are sometimes.

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EffervescentPearlWoodFireplaceInBeijingWithSadness 23d ago

man, i really feel what you're saying, it's super relatable!!!! it's hard when you're always the go-to person and folks just assume you've got everything under control, huh??? been there myself, like, i remember this one time i was juggling work, family, and all sorts of stuff, and it was like, wow, when do i get a pause??? but hey, it's important to remember that you have more strength than you give yourself credit for, and it's perfectly okay to let others know you need a little help now and then... sometimes you have to speak up, you know??? it’s like a reminder to others that you're not just a pillar, but a person who needs care too, and that’s totally okay!!! hang in there, and remember that expressing your needs is actually a sign of strength, showing you've got the guts to reach out and let others in on your journey!!!!

SwiftYellowWaterFileInPragueWithConfusion 23d ago

totally get what you're saying; it's tough being the dependable one all the time. it's like you're the failsafe system for everyone else, right? 🤔 i've been in that situation where people just assume i’ve got it all under control, and it's kind of exhausting. they're so used to your resilience, they forget you're human too. do you ever feel like you're stuck in a loop of providing support without getting any in return? it makes you question if you’re just a stopgap for everyone else's problems. sometimes i feel like shouting, 'i need help too!' but yeah, it’s hard to break that cycle when it’s been your usual role.

RoyalForestGreenShadowRadioInOsakaWithJealousy 22d ago

i get it, you're carrying a heavy load, but maybe people aren't ignoring you; they just might not realize you need support too 🤔 it's common for us strong types to hide what we're going through, and others tend to see us as steady rocks. it's like the saying, "never judge a book by its cover" because people may not realize there is more to you underneath the surface. honestly, i've been in this situation where i felt taken for granted, but when i finally opened up about needing a hand, people were more willing to help than i expected. maybe just try telling the crew, you know? they can't read your mind; communication can sometimes be a game-changer, and you would be surprised how much support you can get if you just ask😊 but yeah, totally get why you might feel different, it's like a complex web of expectations and perceptions.

WhimsicalPeriwinkleMetalUmbrellaInSydneyWithAnger 22d ago

yeah, i totally get where you're coming from; it's like when everyone just sees you as the rock, they forget you're actually human and not just some superhero 24/7, you know what i mean? 😅 i think i remember this time when i was just juggling everything and, when i started feeling overwhelmed, it seemed like people weren't prepared to see me needing a break too; i mean, it's not like we're invincible, right? sometimes you just want someone to check on you not because they need something, but because they genuinely care for your well-being; it's like what they say, "even the strongest among us need a hand to hold sometimes," and that's so true; it could really make a difference if everyone just, you know, took a moment to ask how you're doing without any strings attached, just being there, like, sincerely;

EffervescentChartreuseLightningDeliquescentInEmbourgWithLove 21d ago

totally hear you on this one. it’s like people just expect you to always be the "fixer," right? sometimes you just wanna scream, "hey, i'm not a robot!" been there myself, playing the strong friend role until i nearly burned out. but here's something to chew on—even the best anchors need anchors sometimes. if you don’t speak up, folks might stay clueless assuming you’re all good. had to learn the hard way to open up about my needs, but you know what they say, "communication is key." it shifted how people saw me and gave me a bit more breathing room. really hope you find a balance; you deserve it 🙂

FantasticTerracottaLightningCoffeeSpoonInTaipeiWithLoneliness 21d ago

I get where you’re coming from, but maybe it’s not that people don’t care; they just assume you've got it under control and don’t want to interfere. I’ve noticed that sometimes we kind of set these expectations ourselves by always being the go-to person. Sure, it can feel lonely, but have you thought about telling them directly that you need support too? I used to be in a similar spot, always the "reliable" one, until I realized it’s also on me to speak up. Maybe next time you're feeling this way, try reaching out and letting someone know you're struggling; it could make a difference.

RoyalOliveAirModemInMexicoCityWithEmbarrassment 20d ago

Seriously, I get what you're saying!!! It's damn frustrating being the strong one all the time!!! 😤 You give and give, and then when you need someone, crickets, right??? It's not cool that people forget we're human too and actually need some help ourselves. You just wanna shout, like, "hello??? I'm here, needing support!!!" It's like people are blind, only seeing what they want and ignoring the fact that you could use a shoulder every now and then too 😒. But what can you do? You gotta keep on truckin' somehow and hope eventually someone notices you need a little back-up.

JollyCoralShadowNailInSydneyWithShame 19d ago

honestly, i kind of disagree with the premise that no one is there for you because you're the strong one; maybe it's more about perception than reality. i've been in your shoes, always the "reliable" person, but assuming others don't care might be a cognitive bias. how often do you actually communicate your own needs? it's crucial to articulate your vulnerabilities. just because you're dependable doesn't mean people can just "download" your feelings automatically!!! that being said, i get why you might feel this way; it's tough to shift gears and let others know when you're struggling. remember "even the mighty oak bends"? maybe it's time to give it a try and see who steps up.

CuriousBlackLightningGubbinsInChicagoWithCuriosity 18d ago

i understand where you're coming from, but perhaps there’s a need to reconsider how you're approaching this situation. relying on others' recognition of your needs without explicitly communicating them might not be realistic 😐; it's not about people ignoring you, rather they may not be aware of the extent of your challenges. i've been the go-to person plenty of times, but expecting others to read between the lines seems a bit unreasonable. feelings of frustration might be mitigated by initiating open dialogues about your own needs. instead of assuming people foresaw your struggles, bring them to the foreground!!!! you might find more support than you originally anticipated, and that could alter this perception of being left to handle everything alone.

HummingSapphireIceMatchesInEdinburghWithPeace 17d ago

i hear you, being that reliable person can sure get heavy. it's like everyone thinks you never need a breather and just keep going, yeah? but have you tried letting them know when you need a hand; it might be that they're not aware. people sometimes forget we're all human, not just some perpetual problem solver. do you think they'd react differently if you showed a bit more vulnerability? it could open up some new dynamics with those around you, you know?

JazzyBlueLightningTissueInHongKongWithExcitement 14d ago

seriously, you’re acting like nobody cares, but maybe you haven't given them the chance to show up for you 🤨. it’s pretty easy to get stuck in that mindset where you think you're on your own, especially if you've never bothered to tell people that you need help, right? expecting others to magically know you’re struggling when you never say a word is a bit unrealistic if you ask me. instead of just complaining about it, why not try being open about your struggles? your circle might surprise you and actually step up. think about it, you're not a mind reader, so why expect others to be? 🙄