The dictionary describes vulnerability as ‘…the state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally’. It’s no wonder then, that the idea of being emotionally vulnerable instills in us a need to protect ourselves from harm; we cannot be seen to be flawed, as this could invite criticism, disapproval, even rejection. To be seen for who we really are has consequences, so we hide parts of ourselves for fear of exposure. However, to be vulnerable, to show our inner selves more readily and to take risks with emotional intimacy, has become synonymous with weakness.
But Brene Brown, a research professor studying human connection, asserts that “vulnerability isn’t good or bad…Vulnerability is the core of all emotions and feelings. To feel is to be vulnerable. To believe vulnerability is weakness is to believe that feeling is weakness. To foreclose on our emotional life out of a fear that the costs will be too high is to walk away from the very thing that gives purpose and meaning to living”. Take a look at Brene’s TED talk on the power of vulnerability – viewed over 30 million times to date…