need help, and i have found pride in being independent and come to use it as a way to feel good about myself. being able to say “i did this all on my own” needed to be a positive thing for me because otherwise my life could have become, “i can’t do this because i need help.” let me explain a little more. there are times in my life when i felt very alone and hopeless, neither smart, capable or beautiful, and i have felt very confused. during these times, i have needed help, and it felt like there really was not the help i needed and through all of 