Allowing Yourself to Be Loved in Real Time

Strong people struggle too. And sometimes healing begins the moment we stop pretending we’re fine.

There was a day last week when I felt off.

Not crisis-level off. Not “everything is falling apart” off. Just anxious. Insecure. Tender in ways I couldn’t quite explain.

I know enough now to understand that feelings move. They rise, they pass, they soften. But even when we know that intellectually, anxiety can still make for a rough day… or week… If we let it spiral unchecked.

Historically, I tend to deal with those moments quietly. Internally. I retreat. I process alone. But this time, I did something different.

I’m a huge fan of Simon Sinek. His short reels show up in my social media feed regularly, and I’m a member of his Optimism Library, now known as Leaderful. He often speaks about friendship and connection, and how it’s almost an insult to a relationship when we refuse to ask for help. He talks about friendship as a responsibility, not just a convenience. About how refusing support can actually deny people the opportunity to love us well. That idea has stayed with me.

I’m blessed to have an adoring hubby who somehow always knows I’m struggling before I fully admit it myself. He gets extra snuggly, tells more jokes, and literally reminds me I’m worthy.

(Yup. He’s a keeper.)

And this time, instead of trying to muscle through it alone, I texted three local girlfriends whom I had just seen two days earlier for connection and conversation. I simply asked if they could send a little extra light, love, and prayer my way.

• “Absolutely, Lori! I’ll be sending by the time you read this text. Thank you for reaching out for support!!! I’m so proud of you!”
• “Prayers and hugs coming your way Lori! You are not alone. We are standing with you, holding your hand. You are surrounded by love and support. We love you!”
• “Lori, you are surrounded by earth angels (us) and heavenly angels. You are in the center of a circle and everyone is sending beams of beautiful pink, sky blue, and golden light your way. There’s a diamond waterfall of simmering energy radiating down from the heavens. We are all supporting you as you navigate your way through these feelings. Thank you for being brave and inviting us into your circle. Love you my friend. Feel into the huge hugs we shared on Sunday.”

Honestly, I cried reading them.

Not because everything was suddenly fixed. But because I felt seen. Held. Loved.

Next, I emailed my mum and my sister. Maybe not sharing in exactly the same way, but talking through a few of the things that had been weighing on me. I knew they were sending love, prayers, encouragement, and support, too.

A little later, I checked social media and found a message from a high school friend waiting for me.

• “Good morning, beautiful! You popped up in my memories today. I hope all is well with you and Jim and your writing. Praying for you today!”

Talk about timing.

And later that same day, a colleague at work shared something unexpected with me. Mind you, we don’t know each other particularly well yet, and we haven’t really had the opportunity to collaborate closely.

• “By the way, I want to tell you, that multiple people have said you are one of the most amazing people, and just being around you brightens them up…I heard about how kind you are and just good to be around from some at [the farewell ] party… They said being around you just made them feel uplifted. And this is not the first time I have heard something like that.” 

At some point during the day, I had this overwhelming realization: The Universe — whom I call God — knew exactly what I needed. And it showed up in force.

Not through one giant miracle.
But through people.
Through timing.
Through words.
Through connection.
Through reminders that I am loved far more deeply than my fear wanted me to believe.

By the end of the day, I realized the love hadn’t stopped flowing.

After work, I headed to hot yoga and let myself sweat, breathe, release, and reconnect with my body. Sometimes healing looks like prayer. Sometimes it looks like movement. Sometimes it looks like simply making it to class when your nervous system is begging for grounding.

When I got home, two more unexpected blessings awaited me.

In the mailbox was an anniversary card from my mum and dad, with an extra surprise that will help all of us gather later this year.

And sitting on the porch were anniversary flowers and a bottle of bubbly from our friend and house cleaner. She had seen our wedding photo book last year with the date on the cover and wrote it down. 

I just stood there taking it all in.

All because I had one vulnerable moment when I stopped pretending I was “fine” and let people love me through it. Who knew asking for a little extra support could open the floodgates to so much love?

Maybe that’s the lesson.

Strong people struggle too. The people who encourage others sometimes need encouragement themselves. And maybe healing doesn’t always come from fixing the feeling. Maybe sometimes healing comes from allowing yourself to be loved in real time.

My cup runneth over.

©2026 Lori Ann King