Being Vulnerable makes us Vulnerable

 Being Vulnerable makes us Vulnerable 

Opening up to people helps us connect with each other. It helps us see each other. It creates a depth of friendship and a sense of shared meaning. 

We open up in spaces that make us feel safe—spaces where we feel our vulnerability will be received without judgment. 

When we do open up, though, a few minutes, hours, or even days after we reveal our most vulnerable selves to others, we feel undressed—naked, I should say. And we feel like we should not have opened up in the first place.

Oftentimes, the person does not necessarily say or do something that makes us regret opening up, but then it's just our own mind and emotions. 

So I guess being vulnerable makes us vulnerable.

And I think it does; it makes us feel exposed in ways that make us feel uncomfortable. 

I am not the only one who knows something about myself; someone else does. It can even make us insecure in some way. How do we trust that the person will do right by us and that what we share is safe with them? I guess it's a question of trust. But is it really?

I think vulnerability is beautiful; we should open up to others. Especially because our thoughts have a way of cornering us into a place of loneliness. Our thoughts can make us feel misunderstood, alone, and abandoned.
All of a sudden, we feel as though the whole world has turned against us. It is in these times that we must confide. We must open up; we must share. And maybe it starts with a little bit of journaling, a little bit of singing, and if you love to write like me, a little bit of writing, but eventually, let us open up to another person. Talking about things has a way of clarifying thoughts; it clears up the mind and sets us free from the bondage of our thoughts. 

Once we have shared ourselves with others, leave the weight of betrayal to them. Whether they use our vulnerability to feel good about themselves or share it with other people is out of our hands. At the end of the day, it is their choice to make. We must, of course, open up only to people we trust, but if we ever feel more vulnerable after opening up to someone than we did before, let the thoughts go. Be proud that you shared yourself with someone. Be proud that you are one step closer to healing, one step closer to clarity. One step closer to your freedom. 

And when someone else comes to open up to you, I hope that you give them the sense of security that you would desire, give them the gift of a listening heart, and a mind that judges not. I hope that we become those safe spaces for others. 

Let me also say that sometimes, it is hard to be that listening ear to someone, because we might be facing our own battles, and sometimes it might feel like we are always giving ourselves to people and that we have no one to be vulnerable to. This indeed is tough, and I can only hope and pray that you find that safe space. And that grace may cover your vulnerabilities. 

Whatever you are going through, you do not have to go through it alone. Speak to someone, even if it makes you feel more vulnerable afterward.

If it's your first time here welcome to Space of Thoughts, I hope we learn from each other and grow together. For those who have been here before, it's such a pleasure to have you again.

Please do reach out to me in the comments or write to me directly using the email lcararise@gmail.com