Being vulnerable entails allowing yourself to be seen in a way that makes you uncomfortable: weaknesses, flaws, insecurities, and all. When you're being vulnerable, you choose not to hide who you really are. The good and the bad, strong and weak... it's all out in the open. Being open, honest, and real, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, takes guts.
Even though vulnerability can feel incredibly risky, it can also be deeply rewarding. Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based psychologist whose specialties include relationships and self-esteem, told me that vulnerability — and being open about one's flaws, idiosyncrasies, and weaknesses — makes a person more relatable and human, instead of coming across as too cold or too perfect.
And, if you'll allow me to go full fangirl for a moment, University of Houston researcher Brene Brown has produced some amazing work on the benefits of vulnerability: "embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable," Brown wrote in her best-selling book Daring Greatly. And, if you want to feel really inspired to become more vulnerable, check out Brown's TED Talk on the Power of Vulnerability. It'll leave you feeling both verklempt and awestruck.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEpaCsrF6YvK57kHFnbWtfm7KiwNSrnKxlkanBs63CrWSpnZ%2BluaZ7