Ask for Help
Standing in a never-ending taxi line in the central district of Hong Kong holding several grocery bags on each arm as they grew heavier by the minute, I questioned everything.
It was about 4:30pm. I was playing with fire having both babes out at this hour. I pushed the stroller in quick back-and-forth strides hoping to calm down my 20-month-old, as I continued to pop the pacifier back into my 8-month-old’s mouth, who I wore on my front. The beads of sweat on my forehead could no longer hold themselves back.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you’re so tired you can barely see straight, yet you slightly have the adrenaline of a drill sergeant because you are responsible for tiny innocent humans with a million things spinning by and around you? I’m sure you have. In fact, if you have not, please message me and let us all know your secret.
I looked down at the palm of my hand and stared at the phone number I had just jotted down from a flyer I saw in the elevator lobby outside the baby store. I wondered if I would have enough time to call this woman before we reached the front of the taxi line, as I nervously glanced at my gear and bags that I would soon need to transform into nothingness, one-handed. IYKYK. Ugh, that getting around town anxiety was so real.. the pressure, the stares, and the people with the audacity to verbally give me a hard time, but not offer to help. They were lucky I had my hands full.
I made the call right then and there so I didn’t have a chance to talk myself out of it later. She picked up on the sixth ring.
“Hi, is this Nicole? Are you still a sleep consultant?”
As she responded with a friendly introduction, all I could hear was a resounding YES. Cue the heavenly angels…
There I was, wiping my happy tears (and one of my baby’s not-so-happy tears) on the side of the road amongst a sea of people on one of the busiest streets in one of the busiest cities in the world.
And just like that, I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
"Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness."
― Brené Brown
I hope you ask for help when you need it. Life is hard and it takes a village. I appreciate you, and I am here for you.
Dream Big Sleep well,
Emmy