Recovering from a traumatic event is a long process that can make you feel that you are a burden to others. It often involves both mental and physical recovery and you may worry that events in life might not just be taking a toll on you, but also on those around you. You may start to feel like a burden.
This happened to me when I got out of the hospital. Of course, I was happy to be at home, even though adapting to a new way of life wasn’t easy, and certainly not pain-free. Due to the level of pain, I was still experiencing, I couldn’t look after myself so I started to feel like a burden.
Feeling like a burden
The feeling of being a burden was so strong. It was an awful feeling. I already had it in the hospital. At the time I’d apologised to a nurse for being a pain. However, her kind words reassured me that she was there to help me and I slowly got used to accepting help from others.
Nevertheless, I’d had enough by the time I got home. I wanted to be able to do things for myself independently. It wasn’t my husband’s job to look after me or was it? I am not a feminist, but I just wanted to be an independent woman again. I didn’t want to be a burden.
The truth is, however, that we can’t always do everything alone. God did not design us to carry our burden alone. We just simply can’t juggle life’s hardships without God. So we really need to rely on Him, He is here for us every time.
Burdens become lighter when shared
Yet, despite the knowledge that God loves us, and His love is unconditional, it is still very easy to slip into the feeling of being a burden. However, realising this allows us to take action. The first step is to talk about it, to communicate it. Don’t rob someone of the opportunity to help you carry your burden. Reach out to family, friends, a counsellor, or a pastor. Speak to God, tell Him what your burdens are, and cry out in prayer. It is essential to do so.
What do to when you feel like a burden?
If you feel that you’re a burden know that you are not. You’re a human being, a child of God. Know that you aren’t a burden; you have a burden. You carry your burden as a result of what has happened to you. After all, you haven’t chosen to have it. Doing your best is therefore all you can do.
What works against those dark thoughts? How to get rid of them and love yourself again? Find out on Journeyofsmiley Blog where I share tips on what to do when you feel like a burden.
Read my article ‘Feeling Like a Burden? Read How to Get Rid of These Dark Thoughts‘ on Journeyofsmiley Blog.
*Do you struggle with the feeling that you’re a burden? What does help you to avoid feeling that way? Share with a comment below.
Also read: The importance of patience in a journey of recovery
Visit Journeyofsmiley for other articles written by Katy Parker.
Katy Parker
Katy is a trauma-informed well-being writer who integrates mental health and faith into her words. Katy shares her journey of overcoming trauma on her Journeyofsmiley blog, where you can access her free e-book 7 Keys To Self-Healing, A Trauma Survivor's Guide.
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