You know the other day I wrote about reaching out when we think someone might need support. How sometimes all it takes is offering a hand or connecting them with someone who could genuinely help. It sounds simple enough, right? But when you’re actually standing there in the moment, it doesn’t always feel that simple.

As for the woman I mentioned in my post - I don’t really know her. So when I had the chance to say something to the receptionist… I didn’t. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I stood there, smiling, while my mind did what it does best and ran a full internal risk assessment. What if they think I’m interfering? What if it sounds like I know something I shouldn’t? What if I cross some invisible line?

Then another voice spoke up: Come on, Sarah… you’re not asking them to do anything. You’re just passing on a contact. A person who could genuinely help. That’s allowed. That’s okay. Right?

But when you don’t really know someone, it feels so much harder. You don’t know how they’ll react, or how they’ll interpret your intentions. And yes… I know I’m overthinking it...definitely overthinking it. Part of me worries they might see it as meddling. Is there a fine line between offering support and interfering? Honestly, I don’t know. But that’s not my intention. And if there’s even the slightest chance that what I offer could genuinely help, surely that matters far more than the risk of being misunderstood.

So yeah… this is what’s been going around in my head.

And then there’s someone else. One day, completely out of nowhere, I suddenly thought, you know what… I really think Jessie could help them. It wasn’t something I’d been working through or analysing. The thought just arrived. And deep down, it felt true. I genuinely believe Jessie could help.

But again… my thinking takes over. How do I bring it up? When do I say it? What words do I use? It turns into this strange place where I feel very clear about the intention, and completely tangled about the delivery. Right now it feels like: I really believe this could help… and I have no idea how to approach it.

Overthinking and Self-Care 

Lately, I’ve noticed I’ve been overthinking more than usual. You know those days when you just don’t feel quite yourself? That’s when my mind starts racing, spinning over thoughts that aren’t really helpful. For me, overthinking ramps up when I’m tired, under the weather, or… hormonal. Even when I’m not sure what I’m thinking, my head can feel cloudy. But I’ve learned something important: these feelings are just a result of my thoughts. They will pass. They don’t mean anything, and it’s perfectly normal. It’s just part of being human.

When I feel like this, I remember something Jessie told me: slow down. I even wrote it down. SLOW DOWN. I tend to just want to keep going… keep pushing… keep doing. But sometimes the best thing I can do is the opposite: pause.

Last night, instead of working through the evening like I usually do (especially as work has ramped up lately), I went to bed early and just listened to an audiobook. In the past, I might have judged myself for doing “nothing productive.” But I thought: this is what’s best for me right now. And it was. I got a really good night’s sleep and woke up feeling so much better this morning.

The Power of Perspective

This has got me thinking about how much our perception changes when we’re not feeling at our best. Have you noticed that? A small problem at work can feel overwhelming on a low-energy day, but on a good day, it barely even registers. Yesterday, I was frustrated by something that today doesn’t even bother me. And it’s not just work, this happens with everything. Some days, you’re happy to chat with people, make small talk, and engage. Other days, you just want to hide at home with minimal interaction.

The point is: nothing in the outside world has changed. It’s your internal world. On low-energy days, when unhelpful thoughts creep in and everything feels heavier, your perception of the world can feel heavier too, more frustrating, more negative. And that’s okay. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back, take care of yourself, and let it pass. Like yesterday, when I went to bed early and listened to an audiobook for hours. Today, I feel so much lighter.

And I guess that's the magic of it, right? When your thoughts shift, everything changes. Your energy returns. Your confidence grows. Interacting with the world feels easier. You feel more grounded, clearer, lighter, more positive. Nothing in the outside world has changed, but your experience of life has. Healthy, positive thoughts give you more clarity, more energy, and a brighter perspective. Suddenly, problems feel solvable, and everyday moments feel lighter and more joyful.

The Courage to Offer and Connect

Going back to what I was saying earlier about offering help and support to people you don’t really know: you don’t have to figure everything out immediately. Clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder, it comes from moments of calm, often when your mind is quiet or distracted. So I’m letting this pass. I’m trusting myself, and believing that when the time is right, I’ll know what to do.

Which brings me to friendships. Remember in my previous post I talked about adult friendships and how sometimes you just need to say: “Hey, I really enjoy getting to know you. I’d love to get to know you better.” In reality… do you know how uncomfortable that actually is? For a British person, it can feel almost physically painful. I think you Americans are better at this - more open, more direct. We’re… reserved. We usually let friendships happen quietly, through our children, social clubs, or friends of a friend - you know the kind of organic connections I mean.

The thought of saying this out loud to someone makes me squirm slightly. But I guess sometimes, if you want something new, you have to be brave enough to sit with discomfort. You have to be vulnerable. The same goes for offering help. They might say no. They might not take the contact you offer. And that’s okay. Because if something inside you quietly says, ‘This could help,’ that matters. Regardless of the outcome, just offering what you genuinely believe can help still counts

A Final Thought

Life rarely gives us neat solutions, and we can’t control how people will respond, or even how we’ll feel from one day to the next. But we can pause. We can listen to ourselves. We can trust that clarity will come in its own time. And when it does, we'll know how to show up for others.

Friendship, connection, support - they all require a little courage, a little vulnerability. And yes, sometimes it feels uncomfortable, awkward, even scary. But those are the moments where growth happens, both for us and for the people we reach out to.

Sometimes showing up doesn’t mean fixing anything. Sometimes it’s simply being present. A hand offered, a kind word shared, or a contact passed along might not change everything, but it could change something. So trust yourself, trust that deeper knowing, and offer what you can, even if it’s just a small gesture. Because sometimes, even the smallest act of courage can make a world of difference. 🩷