This article is part of Her Guide to Life, a Bom Bom Girl series on what it takes to thrive as a girl or young woman today.
A lot of girls grow up believing that being strong means handling everything alone: never complaining, never needing help, always holding it together. That kind of “strong” is exhausting, and it isn’t actually strength. Real strength includes knowing when to rest and when to reach out.
Your Feelings Are Information
Stress, sadness, anger and anxiety aren’t weaknesses. They’re signals. They tell you something needs attention: maybe too much on your plate, a relationship that isn’t right, or a need you’ve been ignoring. Instead of pushing feelings down, try naming them. “I’m overwhelmed” is the first step to figuring out what would help.
Rest Is Not Lazy
Hustle culture tells you that resting means falling behind. Your body and brain disagree. Sleep, downtime and fun are how you recharge so you can show up for the things that matter. Protect your sleep, take real breaks and do things just because you enjoy them.
Small Habits That Help
- Move your body in a way you enjoy: walking, dancing, sports, stretching.
- Get outside, even for ten minutes.
- Put your phone away for the first and last half hour of your day.
- Write things down when your mind feels crowded.
- Eat regular meals and drink water. Basic, but it matters.
Asking for Help Is a Skill
Asking for help can feel awkward, but it gets easier with practice. Start with someone you trust: a parent, friend, teacher, coach, school counselor or doctor. You don’t need the perfect words. “I’ve been having a hard time lately and I could use someone to talk to” is enough.
If what you’re feeling is heavy, lasts a long time or gets in the way of daily life, please talk to a doctor or a licensed counselor. Getting support is a sign of strength, not failure.
Build Your Support System Before You Need It
Think of your support system like a team: a few people you can call, a few places that make you feel calm, and a few activities that help you reset. Building it on good days means it’s there on hard ones.
Three Things to Try This Week
- Write down three people you could reach out to if you needed support.
- Schedule one block of real rest, with no guilt and no multitasking.
- Next time someone asks how you are, give an honest answer to someone you trust.
Keep going: Read Your Body Is More Than a Trend, or explore the full Her Guide to Life series.