How do you ask for help?

How do you ask for help?

      As a widow, we are perceived to do everything by ourselves. But for someone who has always depended on other people to help you. It's really hard. I have always had trouble asking for help. Or for someone to help. How can you ask someone for help when you know they have their own lives to deal with?  

I will admit that I have amazing neighbors. I also have friends who have specific jobs that we need assistance with. But with those they are emergency issues. (Ie: when the basement flooded & the heater stopped working). However, I have trouble asking if someone can help me clean up around the outside of my house. I don't want to bother people with my problems that I should be able to do by myself. I would hire someone but going back to my last post, funds are very limited.   

I was always taught if you ask someone to help you. You should do something in return for them. (Ie: pay them or feed them).  

For me to be able to do cleaning or something around the house. I have to be in a mood. Or just turn on some music & just start cleaning. If I don't, I will just lay around in the bed or chair to watch TV or on my phone.  And when I do get started, I get it done.