Connecting with other people

Vulnerability. That’s the magic word when it comes to connection. It’s when we let our guard down and find acceptance in who we are. It’s feeling free to be silly. Feeling free to express our honest emotions. Feeling free to let go and tell the world what’s in our heads and in our hearts. When we are being vulnerable is when people see our true selves.

Vulnerability is a scary thing. It opens us up to possible scorn. To possible ridicule. To possible rejection.

But, vulnerability also opens us up to trust. To love in its infinite forms. To genuine connections with other people.

Vulnerability is what brings us to life.

I have spent most of my life afraid of being vulnerable. I’ve hidden behind masks. Behind lies to try to get people to see me as someone interesting or special. I’d blame myself if someone decided they no longer wanted me in their life. “I’m too much. I am hard to like. I don’t communicate in the right way. I am wrong.”

Being vulnerable is hard. It’s accepting our imperfections, because – what’s perfect? Perfection is an illusion. Being vulnerable is acknowledging the things we suck at and acknowledging those things we are great at. It’s about asking for help. It’s accountability and being who we are and saying, “this is who I am.”

Vulnerability is power. Own it.

Because once you’ve connected with yourself, connecting with other people becomes less scary.