At times, life seems a little too much, doesn’t it? We all experience this. Sometimes it’s a mountain of small things, and other times it’s one giant, overwhelming challenge.
I remember a time when a dear friend of mine was going through a difficult period in her life, and I wasn’t sure how to help her at first. However, over time, I learned how we can assist someone who is struggling, and I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
It doesn’t necessarily mean having all the answers or doing something grand to help a struggling person.
It’s about being present, showing up, and even just listening with an open ear. I will walk you through the process of how I helped my friend when she was going through a tough time, and you can apply the same approach to help someone in your life.
How To Help Someone Struggling
1. Recognize the Struggle
It began when my friend Sarah seemed to be at her breaking point. She wasn’t her usual self. She was distracted, on edge, and appeared to be carrying a heavy burden every time we hung out together.
At first, I thought it was just a phase. But the more I watched her withdraw into herself, the more I realized something was wrong.
I finally asked her how she was doing, and that’s when the floodgates opened. She shared everything—how stressful her job was, the painful breakup she’d gone through, and how trapped she felt by her financial situation. It became clear that she was struggling in ways I hadn’t imagined.
That was when I realized: the first and most important step in helping a struggling person is recognizing that they are struggling. We all get caught up in our lives, and sometimes, people don’t know how to ask for help. It’s up to us to notice when someone we care about is slipping away from themselves.
Related: How To Help A Friend Through A Breakup
2. Listen: Sometimes, That’s All They Need
Once I was able to get Sarah to talk, I found out that what she needed most wasn’t advice or solutions—it was someone to listen. So, that’s what I did. I listened. I didn’t interrupt with “you should do this” or “have you tried that.” I simply let her talk.
I can’t stress this enough: sometimes, all someone needs is to vent and have someone listen to their pain. By not trying to fix things right away, I created a safe space where Sarah could feel free to express her emotions, without fear of judgment.
I realized that one of the most valuable things I could offer was listening—really listening. Sometimes, people just need to hear themselves. They don’t always require us to solve their problems, just a compassionate ear to say, “I understand you, and I’m here for you.”
Related: How To Apologize To Someone You Love
3. Offer Practical Help: It’s About Being There
After I’d given Sarah the space to talk, the next step was to offer practical help. Simply listening wasn’t enough—she needed assistance in putting her life back together. So, we sat down and worked out how to organize her overwhelming workload at her job, set up a simple budget to manage her finances, and discussed how to ease the emotional burden she was carrying.
I knew she had been overwhelmed by her job and had been missing deadlines, so I helped her break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. I didn’t do it for her, but I guided her through the process, and that made a huge difference. We also worked on prioritizing tasks—what needed to be done now and what could wait.
Sometimes, the most practical thing you can do when someone is struggling is to help them see the way out, step by step. Whether it’s offering advice or just helping them organize a task they’ve been putting off, it can take a huge weight off their shoulders.
4. Encourage Self-Care
In addition to helping her with tasks, I encouraged Sarah to take breaks. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re going through a rough time. She had been so focused on getting everything done that she hadn’t been sleeping well or doing anything for herself.
I reminded her that self-care wasn’t selfish—it was necessary. We took walks together, I encouraged her to cook healthy meals, and we even watched a few Netflix shows to help her take her mind off her troubles. Sometimes, helping someone even at the basic level involves encouraging them to rest and recharge.
Taking care of yourself when life is tough might seem impossible, but it’s essential. I made sure Sarah knew that, while I was there to support her, she had to take ownership of her well-being. It wasn’t just about getting through the day—it was about making sure she felt strong enough to take on whatever was coming next.
5. Help Them Regain Confidence
One of the hardest things for Sarah was regaining her confidence. She felt like everything was falling apart, and she was too overwhelmed to see that she had the strength to handle it. That’s when I stepped in with a little tough love.
I reminded Sarah of all the things she had accomplished in the past and how resilient she had been. I gave her examples of times when she had made it through tough situations, and I helped her realize that this moment was just another challenge she could overcome.
It’s so easy for someone who’s struggling to lose sight of their own strength. Sometimes, all they need is a reminder of their past victories. A little encouragement can go a long way in helping them rebuild their confidence and rediscover their own power.
6. Know When to Suggest Professional Help
Although I tried to help Sarah in every way I could, there came a point when I realized that she needed more than just my support. While I could listen and offer advice, there were deeper issues at play—such as anxiety and depression—that required professional help. Gently, I suggested she talk to a therapist, someone who could help her work through her emotions in a deeper, more meaningful way.
It wasn’t easy to bring up, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I explained that seeking professional help didn’t mean she was weak or incapable; it meant she was strong enough to ask for the support she needed.
And you know what? She reached out for therapy, and it turned out to be a huge turning point for her. Sometimes, helping someone means understanding that there are limits to what we can do, and that’s okay.
7. Be There for the Long Haul
Helping someone through a tough time isn’t a one-time act. Even when Sarah started to feel better, I continued to check in on her. I sent texts, made calls, and made sure she knew I was there. Sometimes, just knowing that someone is there to support you, even after the initial crisis is over, can make all the difference.
Conclusion:
Helping someone who’s struggling isn’t about grand gestures or offering perfect solutions. It’s about showing up, listening, offering practical help, encouraging self-care, and being there for the long haul.
It’s about being the support system someone needs to get through their tough time and reminding them that they are stronger than they think.
So, the next time you see someone struggling, don’t shy away. Reach out, offer a listening ear, and do what you can to help them through it.
Even if you can’t solve all their problems, the simple act of showing up might be the very thing that changes their life.
Save the pin for later
- 80 Funny Labor Day Quotes To Lighten Your Mood - 28/08/2025
- How To Deal With A Narcissistic Boyfriend - 28/08/2025
- 10 Cute Nesting Party Ideas - 27/08/2025