“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.  Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”

Brene Brown

BEING VULNERABLE

“Being vulnerable doesn’t mean you are weak.  It means you trust yourself to be strong enough to handle the hurt. It’s actually the purest form of strength.”

Lucy Score

What does the thought of being vulnerable make you feel?  Do you cringe?  Does it make you want to run, hide, be busy or disappear?  Does it evoke thoughts of someone over sharing their life’s woe’s?  It is a word that not unlike suicide or shame carries a lot of weight, misconception, and often strong emotion.

Or does being vulnerable make you feel strong, and brave sharing the deepest part of you with another?  Do you feel empowered setting a boundary and holding firm being willing to disappoint another to be true to yourself?

I think as with most things in life we all have varying degrees of experience in being vulnerable, in trusting ourselves or those we wish to open and share with. Sometimes when we want to have an open honest conversation we don’t know where to start.  We have the desire but need some help in the process.

In the book ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brene Brown she talks about questions we can use in our own vulnerability practices; these are on page 210 of the book.

• I don’t know / I need help.
• I’d like to give it a shot.
• I disagree – can we talk about it?
• Here’s what I need / Here’s how I feel.
• I’d like some feedback.
• Can I get your take on this?
• What can I do better next time?
• I played a part in that.  / I accept responsibility for that
• I am here for you / I want to help.
• I’m sorry / Let’s move on

I encourage you to take being vulnerable to the next level!  Lean into the parts that make you feel uncomfortable.  Find your inner courage to have the conversations that you know need to be had.  Be open with yourself and others in your life.  Share your love and appreciation for the people and things around you.  Joy was one thing Brene found in her research people felt most vulnerable about.  Let yourself enjoy ALL the good!

If there are messes in your life or things that need an apology.  Clean them up, say what needs to be said.  Be brave enough to sit with the awkwardness so you can move through to a place of peace if only for your own mind and heart.

I love the story of the Velveteen rabbit.  If you are not familiar, I invite you to read it.  One-part talks about becoming and that it takes a long time.  This is the story of life and in the process, things get worn with love, mistakes, lessons learned, triumphs and tragedies.  Sharp edges can be worn smooth, you can become loose at the stitches, have a button fall off, or get shabby, all these things are the results of a life fully lived.

Who wants to seek the safety of numbness, to get through life unscathed?  Not me.  I want to throw myself into each day and experience all there is to experience.  Some of that requires being vulnerable!

No matter where you are in this life, in a grief journey in or out of love there is a place to share more of who you are with those around you.  This month I invite you to do more of that! 

All my best,

Genna

RESOURCES

988 – National Mental Health Hotline

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

https://www.211.org

Crisis Hotlines: Common Hotline Phone Numbers | Eluna Network 

Mental Health App’s 

Talkspace – Best Overall Therapy App 

Calm – Best Mindfulness App 

My3 – Three People / Three Distractions / Safety Plan App

Chopra App – Great mindfulness and free meditations 

Pride Counseling – Best Queer Mental Health App 

Youper – Best Self-Guided Therapy App 

Headspace – Best Anxiety App