You’re Allowed to Ask for What You Need at Work

Linda Binns

Published on: 22/11/2025

When You’re Used to Managing Alone Many highly sensitive professionals tell me some version of this: “I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly on edge… but I don’t know what to ask for, or how to ask without sounding difficult.” If you’ve spent years quietly absorbing noise, expectations, and extra work, it can feel unfamiliar — even risky — to say, “This doesn’t work for me.” You might worry about: • Being seen as needy or high-maintenance • Burdening others • Rocking the boat in an already stressful workplace So you stay silent. You work harder. You push through… and your energy slowly drains away. The good news is: asking for what you need is a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened — gently.