I’ve been in a few situations where I need substantial help from strangers, and some have offered to help (most haven’t followed through) but I just can’t do it.
For example someone offered to help me move and I just feel super uncomfortable about it to the point where I’d rather risk something bad happening to me. Like I feel super awkward and uncomfortable accepting huge favours from strangers
Someone even offered a place to stay for me with my pets but I can’t accept it cause I feel way too awkward and like I owe them or something, like I have a huge fear and anxiety about it
Like I just feel like a disgusting parasite wasting their time and energy and it’s also humiliating
Is that normal?
I think most people from my culture (midwest American) find it uncomfortable to get help from anyone. It seems vaguely embarrassing, even when it’s from friends or family. It’s much easier to give than to receive.
I’ve been on both ends of that pretty regularly and I have been working on learning to accept help gratefully as well as giving it. It is surprisingly difficult.