To some, it’s a very scary word. To some, it’s a word like any other. What is this word called vulnerability? I’d say vulnerability means being raw, open and absolutely honest with someone. It’s to let yourself be seen and approached without any defenses or shields. It’s showing your absolutely true self.
Technically, being vulnerable means being exposed to the possibility of being hurt. Physically we are vulnerable; emotionally we are vulnerable. Guess which one people are frequently afraid of?
Emotional vulnerability. Why?
Well, isn’t the idea of standing in front of someone or something without any defenses at all terrifying? That is why vulnerability is an art. It’s a very important aspect of relationships of any kind. Vulnerability builds trust.
“The only priority around vulnerability is to disguise it completely.”
The School of Life via YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJsJ96yyVk8)
Vulnerability is the fundamental block to building trust and enables you to form connections with people. It is the key to understanding another human being. You find your people, people similar to you, when you’re vulnerable with them. You find similarities with people in the habits that the idea of ‘normalcy’ defines to be negative in some way or which may cause you to be judged.
Healthy vulnerability doesn’t expect the other person to solve all your problems. It is just a way for you to show your hidden sides to someone in hopes that they will feel comfortable in doing the same. It’s a way to create a safe space for another human being. True vulnerability, at its core, is a generous act. 🙂 It’s a beautiful concept, isn’t it?
“It’s a gift, in the form of a risk, taken for somebody else.”
The School of Life via YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJsJ96yyVk8)
But I, by no means, am going to tell anyone that being vulnerable is easy. The way that we live, it’s hard to be vulnerable with someone when you’ve grown accustomed to building walls around yourself, protecting the sensitive person inside your body from the harsh judgement and criticism of the outside world. Vulnerability, I think, no longer comes naturally to most of us as adults. It takes strength to be weak, to be open, to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not weakness.
Maybe it’s time for us to ask ourselves how vulnerable we are being with the people we love. Maybe it’s time to start connecting on a deeper level.
Until next time,
Varshini
References:
Some useful links for self-improvement:
Draconis1765 