It's Okay to Lean

Lay-off Tip #8: Others Want You to Lean on Them

My friends mean everything to me. As I'm sure many of you feel, I would walk through fire for them any day of the week. Nothing gives me more happiness than when I can be there for my friends when they've had a tough day at work; when they've broken up with a boyfriend; when they are down on their luck; when they're getting ready to face a life decision; etc. Being trusted by your friends and being able to be that shoulder to lean on means everything to me.

However, as comfortable I am with people leaning on me, I've had a hard time in life when I'm the one that needs to do the leaning. That feeling of being totally vulnerable is tough! But what I've realized the most throughout this process is that your friends want you to lean on them. A friend once told me that they really appreciate the fact that I am there for them but that they also want to be there for me! That shows them that I trust them as much as they trust me. If you don't take the time to lean on your friends and be truly vulnerable, you are doing them a disservice and denying them of that wonderful feeling that you get when you can be there for someone. I can't tell you the amount of people that have been there through this tough time - offering to buy a meal or pay for a drink, or offering up their couch should times get really tough! Just this past weekend I was visiting my best friend for her birthday. It was her birthday and yet when I arrived to her house she had something for me. A bag full of groceries! And Rachael-friendly groceries at that (chicken noodle soup, mac & cheese, etc.).

So if you are at all like me and you go through something like this, cut yourself some slack and be okay with doing some leaning. It will strengthen your relationships and give you the comfort that you need. And your friends want you to lean. Believe me.

Oh, and once you do get that job again, go ahead and buy a round at the bar for those wonderful people :)
Rachael