56. From Caregiver to Care-Receiver: Learning to Ask for Help Without Guilt

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In Episode 56 of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore a powerful truth: even the strongest caregivers need care too.

Titled “From Caregiver to Care-Receiver: Learning to Ask for Help Without Guilt,” this episode invites you to reflect on the emotional and spiritual strength it takes to say, “I need help.”

Jenny shares a simple but profound moment on the lake — a reminder that sometimes we have to turn toward the light (the S-O-N, not just the S-U-N) and accept the warmth of support when life feels cold.

If you’ve ever hesitated to lean on others — whether due to guilt, pride, or not wanting to seem weak — this is your reminder: you don’t have to do it all alone.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How to shift from caregiver to care-receiver — without shame
• Why asking for help can be a gift to others
• What spiritual and emotional support can look like in real life
• Simple first steps to stop suffering in silence
• How to book a free clarity call when you're not sure where to start

💬 “We’re not meant to go through life alone.”
This episode will encourage, comfort, and gently nudge you to reach out when you need it.

🎧 Listen now and take one small step toward supported living.

👉 Book a free clarity call at https://www.JennyLytle.com

If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com 

Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/

More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to another episode of the
Nurse's Break Room with JennyLytle RN.
Today we're gonna take a bit ofa different turn and talk about
something that I think we don'ttalk about enough, and that's
asking for help.
As a helper, at heart, I'msomeone who loves giving help,
but I'm not always so great ataccepting help and especially

(00:21):
not so much at asking for help.
For me, my faith is somethingvery important to me, and I had
an instance earlier today whereI was out floating in the lake
with my friend, and it's chilly.
Right now, we're experiencing alittle bit of almost fall-like

(00:45):
temperatures, and we're justwanting to really soak up those
last bits of summer in case weare running short on summer days
.
And what really stood out to meis that when the clouds were
covering the sun, of course, itfelt a lot cooler, but when the

(01:06):
sun was shining, there was somuch warmth, it felt so much
better and so much more bearable.
And I think that the same canhappen in our lives.
When stick with me here when weturn our eyes toward the sun

(01:29):
the S-O-N versus the S-U-N andreally let that light, let that
love sustain us.
Now you may be somebody thatdoesn't believe what I believe,

(01:49):
and that's okay.
You're still completely welcomehere.
But I think even if we think ofthat as a person or help of
some sort and just not trying towhite knuckle through
everything alone, you canunderstand where I'm coming from

(02:11):
with this.
As caregivers, as people whogive and give and give, it can
be hard to say you know what.
I've reached a point where Ireally need some help, and maybe
that's because you realizeyou're at a breaking point.
Or maybe that's just when yourealize, hey, you know what,

(02:33):
like I'm a little bit tired andI could use a little bit of help
right now.
Maybe you know what it's liketo help someone and you know how
good that feels and you want toallow someone else to
experience that by helping youthrough something.
We're not meant to go throughlife alone, we're not meant to
figure out everything on our own, and so maybe that is turning

(02:57):
to God.
Maybe that's reaching out to afriend or to a healthcare
professional if you're someonewho's struggling in areas that
way or a mental healthprofessional.
Maybe it's reaching out to acoach, if you feel like there's
things in your life that youknow you want to be a little

(03:17):
different, but you're not reallysure where to go.
There are so many options outthere, and part of that just
really comes from being able tohumble ourselves enough to ask
for help and to realize thatit's not a failure, that we're

(03:39):
not meant to do everything onour own, and that when we ask
for help, we encourage others tobe able to do that without
feeling guilty either.
We all have different gifts anddifferent strengths and
different struggles, and beingable to connect with each other

(04:02):
and encourage each other andjust understand some of the
things that we go through isonly helpful.
So I encourage you, if you feellike there's an area that maybe
you could use some help orsupport in, reach out and ask
someone.
If it's a friend, wonderful.
If it's making an appointmentwith someone great.

(04:24):
Friend wonderful.
If it's making an appointmentwith someone great.
If there's things that you'rejust really not sure where to go
, If there's areas of your lifewhere you're just feeling a
little stuck and unsure, thenfeel free to reach out and
schedule a no obligation,complimentary clarity call with
me, and you can do that by goingto my website, jenny Lytlecom,

(04:47):
and just click schedule a freecall until next time.
Remember, self-care isn'tselfish.
It's the only way we cancontinue to care for others and
live our best lives.
Have a great week.