It can be very hard to be vulnerable.
Being vulnerable means allowing yourself to be seen as you are, without pretending or protecting yourself from being emotionally exposed. Examples of this might be: speaking your truth, telling someone how you feel, admitting that you are wrong or uncertain, asking for help, opening yourself up, or letting others know you need them.
What vulnerability is not, is weakness. It is courageous. When you are vulnerable you show this strength because you are opening yourself up, showing who you are and taking off your armor. This can build trust, make your relationships deeper and build connections with others.
Brene Brown says, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it is having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome”. This suggests that being brave is an essential part to opening up to others.
It can be hard to tell others that we are struggling. But it is important to remember that it is only when we are vulnerable enough, brave enough, courageous enough to tell someone that we need help, when we can accept the help from others that they might not have known we needed.
It is okay to not be okay. This statement suggests that struggling does not make you weak, wrong, or broken. You do not need to hide your pain or “hold it together” on your own. It’s okay to be a human who has feelings, even bad ones. It’s okay to acknowledge your pain. It opens the door to support from others and is a first step toward healing.
Being vulnerable builds trust and encourages deeper connections with others. When you open up about your struggles and needs, you are showing others that you trust them with your feelings, likely leading to trust being reciprocated and others feeling safer opening up to you as well.
In no one knows you’re struggling, no one knows you need help. Give others the chance to show up for you.