Tied to the Mast: Why Getting Help is a Power Move
Around 8,000 years ago, the stories of Odysseus’ adventures were well established in the canon of Greek Poetry. They survive today as THE ODYSSEY. In this classic epic, Odysseus is bound for home after 10-years of hellish war. Now, you may know that Odysseus was a bit of a troublemaker, but you also probably know that he wasn’t a fool. The guy knew his limits. So when he had to sail past the Sirens—those mythical creatures with voices so hypnotic they’d lure sailors to their doom—he didn’t just hope for the best. He made a plan. He told his crew to shove wax in their ears so they couldn’t hear a thing, then had them tie him to the mast of his ship. That way, he could listen to the Sirens without getting himself (and everyone else) killed.
That’s what asking for help looks like. It’s not weakness—it’s making sure you don’t get wrecked.
The Lone Wolf Myth
Somewhere along the way, we picked up this idea that handling everything alone is the strong thing to do. That real grit means muscling through life’s hardest moments without backup. But if one of mythology’s greatest heroes knew when to call in reinforcements, why do we act like we should be able to power through on sheer will alone?
Odysseus knew his own limits. He didn’t pretend he was too strong to be tempted by the Sirens. He didn’t just hope he’d make it. He set up a system to make sure he wouldn’t fail. That’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.
When dealing with anxiety, trauma, or OCD—
Getting Help is a Game Plan, Not a White Flag.
Whether it’s mental health, burnout, or just life feeling like a bit too much, getting help isn’t giving up—it’s strategy. It’s tying yourself to the mast instead of trying (and failing) to resist forces bigger than you. It’s knowing that sometimes, no matter how badly you want to handle something alone, the best thing you can do is set up support.
Maybe that means therapy. Maybe it’s leaning on friends. Maybe it’s medication, setting boundaries, or telling someone, "Hey, I can’t do this by myself." Whatever it looks like, it’s a way to keep moving forward without getting pulled under.
The Strength in Having a Crew
The best part? Odysseus didn’t just survive—he got what he wanted. He heard the Sirens' song, something no man was supposed to live through, and made it to the other side. That’s what support does. It doesn’t just keep you from sinking; it lets you do things you never thought possible. It expands your world, helps you get through the rough patches, and keeps you going when you don’t have the strength on your own.
So if you’re struggling, maybe with anxiety, OCD, trauma, or alcohol use, don’t let the lone-wolf myth get in your way. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re smart enough to know that even legends need a solid crew.
Do you know any other myths that give you strength? Share them with me via email. And, please, reach out if you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help you take action in your life.
