April is a month that’s often associated with renewal and growth. The earth starts to bloom again, the air feels fresh, and there’s a sense of hope that things are shifting for the better. But with all the beauty and renewal that comes with April, there’s something I’ve had to learn about growth—sometimes, it requires us to embrace vulnerability.
Now, I don’t know about you, but for the longest time, I saw vulnerability as a weakness. I grew up thinking that to be strong, I had to keep everything together, to show the world that I had it all figured out. There was a time when I was afraid to admit that I was struggling, or that I didn’t have all the answers. I thought being vulnerable meant being exposed, and I wasn’t sure I could handle that. But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized something—vulnerability isn’t a weakness. It’s actually one of the most powerful things we can experience.
The Power of Vulnerability
I’ll admit, it took me a while to come around to this idea. But I’ve seen firsthand how vulnerability can be a source of strength. I had a moment in my life when I was struggling with something personal—something I didn’t know how to talk about. For the longest time, I tried to pretend everything was fine, thinking that if I kept it together, no one would know how much I was struggling.
But eventually, I made the decision to open up. I shared my fears, my doubts, and my struggles with people I trusted. And, to my surprise, I found a sense of strength in that. The more I let down my walls, the more I realized that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. There were others who felt the same way, others who were also trying to figure things out. And that shared vulnerability created connections that I never expected.
The truth is, vulnerability allows us to be real, to be human. It gives us the courage to show up as ourselves, even when we’re not perfect, and even when we’re unsure. It’s through that authenticity that we find our greatest strength.
Why We Resist Vulnerability
I get it. Being vulnerable can feel scary. It’s easy to want to hide behind a facade, to act like we’ve got everything under control. I’ve been there. But here's the thing—I realized that by hiding behind that mask, I wasn’t allowing myself to truly connect with others, or even with myself. I was holding myself back from experiencing real growth.
I think one of the reasons we resist vulnerability is because we associate it with weakness. We fear judgment or rejection, and we don’t want to feel exposed. But in reality, vulnerability is what allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. It allows us to share our truth and experience healing in the process.
The Healing Power of Vulnerability
One of the most healing experiences I’ve had with vulnerability happened when I started talking openly about my struggles with mental health. I spent a long time pretending everything was okay when it wasn’t. But when I finally allowed myself to be honest about the things I was going through, I found a weight being lifted. I wasn’t alone in it, and it wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was an invitation for connection, for understanding, and for healing.
There’s a certain kind of peace that comes when we stop hiding, when we allow ourselves to be seen for who we really are. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect, and it doesn’t mean we’ve got everything figured out. It just means we’re human, and we’re willing to show up, even when we’re not at our best.
I’ll be honest, I’m still working on being more vulnerable. It’s a journey, and there’s no destination where I can say, “Okay, I’ve got vulnerability mastered.” Sometimes, I still find myself wanting to put on that mask, to avoid letting others see me in my most raw, uncertain moments. But I’m learning that vulnerability is a process, not a finish line. It’s something I’m still navigating, and it’s not always easy. But each time I allow myself to open up, I feel a little bit more free.
Vulnerability and Growth
Here’s something I’ve learned through my own journey: vulnerability is directly tied to growth. Growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zones, when we push ourselves to be real and authentic, even when it feels uncomfortable. We can’t grow if we’re always hiding behind walls, pretending everything is okay.
Growth requires honesty. It requires vulnerability. And it requires a willingness to show up, even when we’re unsure of what’s to come.
How to Embrace Vulnerability
Embracing vulnerability is a process. It’s not something that happens overnight, but it’s something that’s worth the effort. Here are a few things that have helped me:
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Start Small: You don’t have to go all-in right away. Begin by sharing small pieces of yourself with someone you trust. It could be as simple as admitting when you're feeling overwhelmed or expressing a fear you’ve been holding onto.
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Practice Self-Compassion: Vulnerability isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up authentically. Be kind to yourself when you feel vulnerable. Understand that it’s okay to not have all the answers, and it’s okay to be in a place of uncertainty.
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Seek Support: Being vulnerable doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who understand, who will hold space for your struggles, and who will encourage you along the way.
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Be Honest: Whether it’s with yourself or others, honesty is key. Be real about what you’re going through, and give yourself permission to feel what you feel. It’s okay to not be okay sometimes.
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Let Go of Perfection: Vulnerability means embracing imperfection. We don’t have to have it all figured out, and we don’t have to appear perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes—it’s part of being human.
Journal Prompts for Reflection:
- Embracing Vulnerability: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt vulnerable. How did it make you feel? How did others respond? What did you learn from that experience about yourself?
- Fear of Judgment: Think about a time when you resisted being vulnerable because of fear of judgment. What was the fear? What might have happened if you allowed yourself to be open and honest?
- Self-Compassion in Vulnerability: Write about a time when you were hard on yourself for being vulnerable. How can you practice more self-compassion in those moments? How can you show yourself kindness when you feel exposed
- Growth through Vulnerability: Reflect on how embracing vulnerability has led to growth in your life. What is one area of your life where you’d like to be more vulnerable? What step can you take today to embrace that vulnerability?
