In order to really live in the world, you are going to have to find the courage to be vulnerable. Growing up you were probably taught to stay strong and for the most part, keep any problems to yourself.
Were you taught that the world was a scary place? Were you told that you would need to keep your flaws, failures, or weaknesses to yourself?
We were made to feel ashamed that we weren’t able to attain perfection.
We had in fact, to find a way to convince others that we were perfect.
That didn’t work out too well for any of us, did it?
How to Practice Self-Acceptance by Being Vulnerable
Fear: The primary obstacle is actually fear. We often fear being rejected or ridiculed.
It is also not unusual for people to think they have lost some privacy if they actually let people see who they really are.
A common human phenomenon is a fear of being rejected.
Authentic and Vulnerable: Can you think of a time where you felt less authentic or vulnerable?
In what situations do you see yourself pretending to be someone or something that you are not?
Do you play small in your life? Are you prepared to find the courage to be vulnerable in those areas in your life?
Respected: You are going to find that you are more respected when you allow yourself to be vulnerable.
Yes, it is challenging to be vulnerable and open with people. However, you just might gain some friends and respect.
Trust: People will trust you more when you are vulnerable. They can see who you really are.
When you are willing, to be honest, it allows people to see who you are and what you stand for.
They are going to find this a comfort and will be able to relax when you are around.
Challenges: Everyone has to deal with challenges in their lives. There is no need to worry that your concerns or even your weaknesses will make you look strange.
As human beings, we are more similar than you might think. Everyone, no matter who there are, struggles with something.
By showing your vulnerability, you give others permission to see their concerns as normal.
Start Small: You don’t have to jump into the deep end of the pool when it comes to being vulnerable. As you grow your confidence and courage, you can extend yourself more.
- Start by being thankful and acknowledge why you are thankful.
- You can also show a tiny weakness. Perhaps you could admit that you are not a patient person or are messy.
- Apologizing for some mistake is a great way to show vulnerability. You will get lots of opportunities to be able to apologize.
- Share a time where you failed. Pick something that allows you to laugh at yourself.
- Risk doing something in front of people that you are not very good at doing. Perhaps you suck at bowling or golf.
Relationships: You will be able to strengthen your relationship when you find the courage to be vulnerable. This will encourage others to be vulnerable with you.
In fact, you will find that you become closer to the people in your life. Being vulnerable actually creates a deeper connection and bond with people.
Yes, being vulnerable is a risk. However, when we try to avoid being vulnerable we end up creating other challenges for ourselves. You will never be free when you hide from the world.
You will end up feeling disconnected from people, lonely, and very frustrated with life. As well, your relationships are going local depth.
By learning more about who you are you will be able to accept all parts of yourself. All you need to do is find the courage to be vulnerable.
Although this can be frightening, it is the path to freeing yourself from any emotional baggage. To be a fully developed human being, vulnerability is just a small part of the cost.
Just take an action step today and show your vulnerability. Ask someone who you are close to to do something for you. It could be a ride to work or fixing a broken pipe in the kitchen.
When you ask for the support you might be surprised to see what happens and how your relationship improves!
Strengthen Relationships by Finding the Courage to Be Vulnerable
It is important to know that a relationship thrives on trust. Another important element of a great relationship is vulnerability. Respect is important as well.
You will be able to make a relationship healthier and stronger if you are open with your partner.
Tips for Finding the Courage to be Vulnerable in a Relationship:
Show Your Vulnerable Side: There is no good reason to try and ignore your vulnerability or even hide it.
Maybe you were rejected in a previous relationship when you showed your weaknesses. However, the fear is stopping you from having a great relationship.
When we build emotional walls because of past injuries, we end up hiding our true feelings. This stops your partner from being able to trust you.
Yes, it is not easy to let go of the walls in a new relationship. Yes, you may be dealing with past rejection and sadness.
However, finding the courage to be vulnerable could lead you to find a partner who truly gets you.
It is also important for you to recognize that your partner has a vulnerable side as well.
Build Trust in a Relationship: When we are able to share our weaknesses with each other, we are showing how much we trust the other person.
Your relationship lacks trust when you are unable or too scared to share your fears. Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship.
In fact, all that fear does is prevent us from sharing ourselves and being able to make decisions as a couple.
As well, fear only makes us feel lonely as we have isolated ourselves from others.
When we are able to talk about our vulnerability, we are able to encourage our significant other to share their vulnerability with us.
Being Vulnerable or Being Needy: There is a big difference between being vulnerable and being needy. They are not the same thing.
The distinction is that when you show your vulnerable side you are able to get stronger without needing to become needy.
We share our vulnerabilities in a relationship so that we can grow as a couple.
Overcoming Fears: As a couple, you can work on your fears together. This way the fear won’t block your ability to be able to build a strong relationship together.
We have all experienced rejection and betrayal. However, we can address those fears together.
Avoid Feeling Shame: It is important to understand that vulnerability and shame are tied together. This is because people are often afraid to show their true selves.
It is not unusual to feel like a failure when you are showing your weaknesses.
Many of us grew up believing that sharing our feelings was not a good thing. We may have even been made to feel ashamed of our weaknesses.
If you have this as part of who you are, it is going to be important to have a successful relationship to address those feelings.
Using Visualization: When we visualize sharing vulnerabilities we are able to work beyond fear. The result will be a more trusting and stronger relationship.
Nurturing the Relationship: In any relationship, it is important to nurture the relationship regularly. Do you have regular conversations with your partner?
Doing this will give you time so that you and your partner can discuss how you are feeling. It will only make your relationship grow stronger.
When you spend time together talking and taking risks, you avoid risking isolating yourself from your partner.
Make sure that you don’t have any interruptions when you spend time having this important interaction.
It is also important to stay focused on your partner so turn off the devices!
Another important aspect of a successful relationship is really listening to one another. Make sure to acknowledge your partner for sharing their feelings.
This shows that you trust them no matter what and will bring you closer together.
Showing how vulnerable you are can only build a strong and healthy relationship. As a result, you will grow together and your bond will strengthen.
The power of vulnerability with Brené Brown Video:
Being vulnerable is not easy. However, vulnerability can offer a tremendous sense of freedom. There are other benefits as well.
If you can find the courage to be vulnerable, you will be able to accept yourself and not try to hide who you really are.
