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I have a problem.
Hi friends. I am leaving my comfort zone with this week's chat, so prepare.
I can’t ask for help.
There. I said it.
I would be destitute and homeless before I would ever ask for help. The only thing that could propel me to ask for help would be if my kids were starving, but if I was starving, forget it, I would starve.
I learned many things about self-healing, self-loving, and deep diving into my authentic self in 2023. And what a gift this journey was.
First, I learned I am unable to ask for help, ever.
Second, I learned people want to help.
Third, my ego prevents me from asking for help.
In 2024, I will ask for a lot of help from family, friends, and you, my virtual family/friends. It is going to make me incredibly uncomfortable. Even while writing this, I think, “Don’t give this light, do not share this, don’t, don’t, don’t. People will think you are weak and that your life is a hoax.”
Well, fuck that! I’m sharing.
I have lived this WorldTowning life for a decade now. Will and I have been able to sustain it come hell or high water, and there has been some high water. We have not come to you to share the true depths of these brutal weeks, months, and even years, as no one wants to hear someone speaking their truth who is traveling the world full-time. I get it. We have not even told our families and those we have been friends with for 30+ years, so don’t take it personally. So here I am today, saying I have never asked for help besides a like, comment, or share here and there because of my ego and what others would think.
Isn’t that just ludacris?
Yes, other people with a social media presence do it. Some get a whole year of travel paid for; some start personal GoFunds, and some even get every new part for their boat paid for by the generosity of others. And that is their choice, I am not here to judge them. So why don’t we do it?
Will I have always thought that if we cannot personally sustain this lifestyle, then we should not be living it? I would not expect others to pay my mortgage in a stationary life, so why should I expect people to help pay for my boat rehab or us volunteering in Central America for six months?
But, after my deep dive in 2023, I discovered I was harming myself by not asking for help. People want to help. That help does not have to buy a new outboard for us, but it can be a shared meal, a warm bed, or even a hot shower.
So in 2024, I am going to ask for help. I'll be sure to do it here. I will do it with our longtime stationary friends. I will do it with our family. Actually, I gave it a whirl at the end of 2023 with a family member, and they were delighted they could finally help us after years of us saying, “We got it.” We did have it, but everyone needs a break from life once in a while and all the responsibilities that accompany it. Am I comfortable with this person helping us? Still feels awkward, but I am leaning into the discomfort. They are lending us something that we will give back in 6 months. I know we can do this life alone; we have been for ten years of travel and decades before that. So why the ego?
As humans, and particularly females, we are honored and elevated to a different level when we struggle, suffer, overwork, and basically kill ourselves, but if we ask for help….we are failures. The self-critic arises, the naysayers, the gossips, they all surface, and then we feel like shit. This is what society teaches us as women and humans in general. Strong women don’t ask for help; they can do it all. They don’t complain; they don’t get upset and they tolerate all that life throws at them with a smile. But in reality, this harms women. Drastically. I subscribed to this for decades and am still a work in progress, but 2024 is my year to ask for and receive help. Interestingly, when help has come to me in the past, I produce something much more significant than I had anticipated because…it takes a village.
I have worked hard for this life (all four of us have worked hard for this life). And I plan to honor that and own it. We give a lot and a lot for free that many enjoy. And we are ok with that because if it gets more people out here living their authentic lives, then it is a win. We will continue to vlog, podcast, and produce this newsletter with minimal financial benefit because WE LOVE IT and all of you. We appreciate all of you and your longtime support and hope to continue this journey together. Thank you for understanding that I am trying to be a better version of myself and set a better example for our kids that it is ok to…Ask for Help!
xoxo,
Jess
p.s. I love this photo taken by Jackie from our trip to India a couple of weeks ago.
Giveaway!!! Merch and lots of it!
In celebration of launching our podcast, THE WHY MATTERS, we have a giveaway! And it only has two steps to enter and under a 2-minute investment of time.
YOU WIN
WorldTowning Merch: T-shirt or hoodie (limited sizes on the hoodie), a recyclable bag, a block printed bag from India, our sticker package, a limited edition hiking patch, and a luggage tag.
Open now and closes on Sunday, Jan 21 at 3pm EST.
HOW TO ENTER
1️⃣Register for the giveaway here. 3 questions!
2️⃣ Follow or subscribe to The WHY Matters on Apple (Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
3 winners will be drawn on IG stories several days after the contest closes.
We hope you enjoy the podcast as much as we enjoyed making it.
Time to let the cat out of the bag…BIG SURPRISE!
Oh, do we have something huge to share on next week's podcast, episode #5! I almost can’t keep it a secret any longer. If you are a patron, you already know; thanks for keeping it quiet the last month.
*This is where I will test my ability to “Ask for Help!” Wish me luck!
To learn more about us, our mission, and our business, you can visit us at WorldTowning. To view our most recent group trip offerings, head over to WorldTowningvoyages.com. If you want to book a coaching session to realize your travel dream, schedule it here. If you're going to follow the travels of our WorldTowning family, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, The Why Matters Podcast.
Jessica - This is music to my ears. As one who has wanted to help you for years now, I am thrilled you will accept it, now. I am jumping up and down with happiness!!
This post inspired me to come to YOU for help!