The art of being vulnerable. Being vulnerable requires courage. All of that is true, but sometimes being vulnerable requires so much courage and you know at times when you are vulnerable, you will get hurt. You will be sad, you will be disgusted and disappointed but you will never be able to experience life to the fullest if you are not vulnerable. A lot of us think that being vulnerable is a form of weakness. It truly is not. When you are vulnerable, you are opening up new connections and we all love forming connections.
Vulnerability is not weakness; it is our greatest measure of courage. How beautiful is this quote. I love this quote from Brene Brown. Often times in our lives, we think vulnerability is a measure of how weak we are, but in reality it takes immense strength and courage to be open, honest and emotionally exposed. True courage is not about hiding behind a facade of invincibility. It's about showing up as your authentic self even when there's a fear of rejection, failure or judgement. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we embrace the possibility of growth, connection and transformation.
Think about the moments in life where you need the most courage. Saying sorry and putting your ego down requires a lot of courage, expressing love requires courage, asking for help requires courage, sharing creative work requires courage and standing up for ourselves and our loved ones require courage. In all of these cases, vulnerability is at its core. It allows us to connect deeply with others, to learn from our experiences and to push beyond our comfort zones.
By redefining vulnerability as a strength, we empower ourselves to live more fully, love more deeply, and lead with authenticity. It’s a powerful reminder that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to step forward despite it.
We put enormous effort into hiding our vulnerability, but it's our vulnerability that truly heals. When we feel safe enough to expose our shadows, that's when we become free. Look at the paradox here, we spend all our lives trying to hide our insecurities, our vulnerabilities, thinking that it will protect us from pain, judgement, or rejection. Yet, it is only when we embrace and reveal our vulnerability, we feel true healing and freedom.
We often wear masks trying to project strength and composure to the world while suppressing our fears, insecurities and past wounds. But these unspoken struggles don't disappear, they linger in the background, shaping our emotions, relationships and decisions. The more we hide them, the heavier they become.
However, when we find the courage to expose our shadows, to share our struggles, acknowledge our pain, and allow ourselves to be seen as we truly are, something incredible happens. We realise that vulnerability is not a burden; it is a gateway to connection, self-acceptance, and emotional liberation.
Feeling safe enough to be vulnerable, whether in relationships or within ourselves, allows us to break free from the weight of shame and fear. It fosters deeper connections because others see the real us, not just the curated version we present. It invites compassion, understanding, and growth. And most importantly, it gives us permission to heal.
True freedom is not about being invulnerable, it’s about no longer fearing our vulnerability. When we embrace it, we step into a life that is authentic, courageous, and deeply fulfilling.
Now the natural question is how do we become vulnerable? Is there a way we can become vulnerable in its practical terms?
1. Start by Being Honest with Yourself:
Before we are authentic with others, it's important that we become authentic and real with ourselves. Ask yourself:
What am I afraid to admit, even to myself?
What emotions am I suppressing?
Where am I holding back due to fear of judgement?
You can journal your thoughts to express your emotions and thoughts without the fear of judgement.
2. Share your true thoughts and feelings (even in small steps) :
Vulnerability does not mean sharing everything with everyone. It means being real where it matters the most:
* Express your opinions in conversations instead of saying what you think others want to hear.
* Share something personal with a trusted friend or a loved one.
* Admit when you don't know something instead of pretending that you do.
3. Ask for help when needed:
A lot of us think that asking for help is a negative thing. However, vulnerability is recognising that we can't do everything on our own. Whether it's asking for guidance at work, seeking emotional support, or simply admitting that you're struggling; allowing others to support you fosters connection and growth.
4. Learn to stay with discomfort:
Being vulnerable often feels uncomfortable. Instead of avoiding it, practice staying with that discomfort.
- If you feel nervous sharing something personal, acknowledge that feeling but do it anyway.
- If you fear rejection, remind yourself that being authentic is more important than being liked by everyone.
- If difficult emotions arise, don’t push them away—accept them as part of being human.
5. Stop hiding behind perfectionism:
We all try to look perfect and be perfect about everything and anything. However, the real connection happens when you are your imperfect self, the way you are. We think that if I do everything perfectly, no one will criticise or reject me. But perfectionism, isolates us. Instead, practice embracing imperfections.
- Share your work even if it's not flawless.
- Sometimes the best way to heal a mistake is to laugh at your ownself and your own mistakes.
- Accept that you don't need to be perfect to be worthy of love and belonging.
6. Set boundaries :
Being vulnerable doesn’t mean spilling your deepest secrets to everyone. It’s about sharing appropriately in safe spaces. Choose the right people, those who respect and support you. Healthy vulnerability is about trust, not just exposure.
7. Reframe vulnerability as a strength:
Every time you open up, remind yourself:
It takes courage to show up authentically.
I am not weak for feeling deeply; I am strong for facing my emotions.
Vulnerability is a bridge to connection, not a risk to be feared.
8. Lead by example:
If you want deeper, more meaningful relationships, be the one who sets the tone. When you open up, others feel safer to do the same. Vulnerability is contagious in the best way possible, it creates spaces where people can be real, without judgment or fear.
Summary:
Vulnerability is not a one-time act; it’s a continuous practice. The more we allow ourselves to be seen, our joys, struggles, and imperfections, the more authentic, free, and connected we become. It’s scary at first, but with each step, we realize that being vulnerable isn’t a weakness at all, it’s our greatest strength.
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