Popular belief is that if we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, it is a sign of weakness, an inability to manage life’s challenges and a lack of character. However, the truth is that embracing our vulnerability and showing it to the world is a tremendous sign of strength and allows us to discover who we really are.
In fact, the most mentally strong people make it a point not to hide their true nature behind a veil of secrecy, but rather choose to accept themselves exactly as they are and embrace intentional vulnerability as healthy, holistic and necessary.
While certain situations require us to put up our fences and set clear boundaries, it is absolutely necessary to tear those boundaries down again when they trap us rather than protect us. Keep in mind, the boundaries we carefully build around us can quickly become the walls of our inner prison. So tear those walls of confinement down, be vulnerable and expand your horizon and you will experience unparalleled authenticity and closeness.
If vulnerability has never been one of your strengths, consider our TOP 10 benefits of being vulnerable and don’t be afraid to show others your true nature.
#1 Learn to Appreciate Your Quirks
Showing vulnerability is a great way to help us embrace the interesting, strange, quirky and unique things that make us special. While we may think that certain personal traits and characteristics are awkward, the truth is that those traits only become awkward when we don’t accept ourselves and with that feel uncomfortable in our own skin. Keep in mind, we are all crazy in our own, unique way. But if we are going to be crazy and weird, we might as well be proud of it and confident about it.
#2 Earn Trust
When we embrace vulnerability and allow ourselves to express it, we start to build trust in ourselves as well as others. Keep in mind, it is impossible to learn and grow when we stay inside our safety zone our entire life. We have to take chances, trust another person by giving them something we value and then observe what the other person does with it. And nothing builds trust better than opening up, showing your vulnerability and allowing others to see the real you.
#3 Show Humility
Expressing vulnerability helps to keep our ego in check and consequently facilitates humility. Keep in mind, when you are vulnerable and show up completely real, you don’t have to worry about what aspects of yourself you are hiding from this person or what other aspects of yourself you are hiding from another. You can completely focus on meeting the other person. This allows you to see yourself from a completely new perspective and you yourself finally meet your true self and with that right-size your ego.
#4 Boost Courage
Expressing vulnerability takes a lot of courage and every time you allow yourself the liberty to be real, no matter what it might cost you, you gain a little bit of courage. Keep in mind, courage is a resource nobody can take away from you, unless you willingly give it away. Boosting your own courage is essential to success in life. Courage is what helps us to start all over after failure, courage means to risk an opportunity that nobody else believes in and courage is to take an unpopular stance rather than compromising our beliefs and values.
#5 Create a Sense of Belonging
We live in a time where individuality is celebrated and independence is championed. And while there is definitely a place for that, nobody is an island. One of the most basic human needs is to be connected to others and to make that connection, we need to share with each other. We need to take the risk and have the courage to share and when you do, you feel accepted and you feel connected. Once you feel a certain level of connectedness, you feel safe and create a sense of belonging, which only deepens the more you open up and express vulnerability.
#6 Develop Empathy
When someone talks to you about their troubles, most people try to fix the problem and offer a solution, but research shows that most people don’t want somebody else to solve their problems, they simply want someone to be there with them in their time of distress. Next time someone comes to you with a problem and confides in you, embrace your vulnerability and openness and simply sit with your friend, feel their emotions and offer compassion. The solution will come, but in the meantime, show vulnerability and empathy.
#7 Attract the Right Kind of People
Expressing vulnerability will open your eyes to what kind of people you can relate to the most. While some people may be tempted to embrace every person who crosses their path with open arms, it is much wiser to choose your friends carefully. We’ve all experienced opening up to the wrong person only to end up hurt and stabbed in the back. Being vulnerable will allow you to attract the right kind of people into your life, the ones you can put total faith in and who are worthy of your trust.
#8 Strengthen Your Relationship
Being vulnerable is one of the best ways to bond with another person on a deeper level. While a lot of us struggle with showing vulnerability because we are afraid of judgment and rejection, being vulnerable will put your mind at ease. We all have those protective barriers that are there to protect ourselves from getting hurt, but if you want to have a strong, meaningful relationship with a particular person, you need to be forthcoming, truthful and vulnerable and let the other person in.
#9 Humanize Yourself in the Eyes of Others
Expressing vulnerability helps you to show others that you are an approachable person who is considerate and kind. While it may not always be easy to find the courage to be vulnerable, there is no better way to encourage acceptance. We have all had to deal with lack of self-esteem at one point or another, but rather than indulging in that, show vulnerability, show that you are human and accept yourself, flaws and all, to bring about positive change.
#10 Make Peace with Troubling Memories of the Past
We all have some pent-up baggage from the past that bothers us and while it isn’t always easy to deal with painful memories from the past, it is much better to confront our past rather than hiding from it. Don’t judge yourself about decisions from the past that you regret. Instead, look for the takeaway and lesson that will help you to avoid making the same mistake in the future and learn to let it go.
Many of us struggle with vulnerability because of fear of rejection. But what we fail to realize is that when we close ourselves off to vulnerability, we distance ourselves from others and deny the people closest to us the chance to know us fully. Keep in mind, vulnerability actually draws people in and allows us to connect on a different level.
ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH TO BE VULNERABLE?
Joschi & Monika
#BoldNaked
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