Vulnerability and Being Yourself
Lately I’ve been listening to Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations podcast during my morning commute to the gym or class. It might sound like I’m on some type of self help kick, but in reality one of the goals I set for myself this year was to be more mindful of the information I’m taking in on a daily basis. Actively and passively, I want the music, television shows, movies, and podcasts that I consume to reflect the goals I’ve set for myself.
The most recent episode I listened to featured research professor and author Brené Brown, who discusses the power of vulnerability after years of studying the topic and its relation to shame, empathy, and courage. While I definitely encourage you to listen to the podcast, it left a lasting impression on me and caused me to consider other feelings that intertwine with and depend heavily on vulnerability.
I associate the idea of vulnerability with the power it takes to be yourself. I think we have become comfortable with putting on a facade while navigating through our day to day. It’s no secret that we all want to show ourselves in the best light, especially upon initial interactions. And with this message I can still acknowledge the importance in making a good first impression that includes elements of good manners and politeness. However, the problem I’ve found with holding back portions of who you truly are, is that you force people to form opinions or fall in ‘like’ with who they think you are. As a soon-to-be college graduate that is constantly calculating the ways in which I present myself, I can confidently say that there have been instances where I showed people a highlight reel of who I am, as opposed to giving them the authentic version upfront.
The bottom line is…
Presenting people with a silver platter of what you think they want to see, does them and you a disservice, because those quirks and unique factors that you’re holding in may be the very things that sets you apart from someone else.
On another note, we need more examples of people who are being themselves boldly and courageously. Because after awhile, it will begin to have a chain effect. My fashion is one of the number one ways I show who I really am. Think about it, what have you been holding back? How can you be more vulnerable?
