Vulnerability - It's Not What You Think It Is

If you're anything like me, you probably have the same skewed view of vulnerability that I used to have. 

Vulnerability? You mean FEEEEELINGS? Hell no. I didn't 'feel' things. Definitely not. I wasn't sensitive, wasn't self aware, and truthfully I thought this made me tough. That tough exterior of "I'm fine" and "I'm okay" was really quite the opposite.

Here's the thing. The truth is that even the subject of vulnerability makes most people squeamish and uncomfortable. Why? Because vulnerability takes courage. YEP. If you choose to be vulnerable, it means you're actually extremely brave. It's taking a good hard look at your inner self, and being real about what you see there. There's no lies in vulnerability. No false truth, no evasion of what is really happening. Being vulnerable means accepting who you are, where you're at, walking right into the core of yourself and acknowledging all you see in there. The good, the bad and the ugly. That is where our true power lies. 

I was listening to a podcast with Brene Brown the other day (if you don't know who she is, look her up, she is incredible), and one question she often asks is "Vulnerability is defined as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. Can you name one act of courage that you've ever witnessed or ever been involved in that did not involve uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure?". Hearing that in this podcast made me go UH HUH PREACH IT SISTER! You guys...vulnerability IS courage. They are hand in hand, one in the same, siblings if you will. 

Another incredible human I admire very much is a lady named Jessica Landon who openly shares her personal story of overcoming an extreme alcohol addiction that almost lead to her death (follow her on instagram, she is amazing - @jessicalandon12). Something she once said that has always stuck with me is "Vulnerability is courage on fire". 

Something I've realized is that without being vulnerable, we can never become the best version of ourselves. If we aren't the best version of us, or at least working on being that, how on earth can we expect to make our dreams a reality?

I know, I know. Easier said than done, right? I get it, it's scary. But here's the thing. Nothing worth doing or achieving comes without being a little scared. It's okay to be scared. Do it anyway. It'll either go your way or it won't, but even if it doesn't it'll be a learning experience and you'll grow from it.

Take some baby steps. Look inside yourself, and work on your personal vulnerability. I promise, no one has ever regretted learning to love themselves for who they are. It might be difficult at first, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have faith in you.