“What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful.” ~Brené Brown
To be vulnerable is to be free.
It gives you a break from trying to pretend you’re always right and you don’t have any flaws. It gives you permission to show your authentic self and stop taking responsibility for the way other people perceive you. It allows you to try new things and take the risk of feeling awkward or uncomfortable.
It also opens you up to the possibility of pain. We never know when we let our guard down that other people won’t hurt us, unintentionally or otherwise.
We can know, however, that the pain of closing ourselves off to people and possibilities is far more dangerous than the potential risks of opening up. We’re just not meant to be isolated. We need to really connect with each other.
Today, if you feel tempted to shut down and retreat into yourself, ask yourself : What’s the best thing that could happen today if I decided instead to move outside this place that feels safe?
Photo by Thomas Euler
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people honor their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine.