Good morning! Today is Halloween. An American holiday in which people of all ages dress up in costumes to look like their favorite characters. Although I personally don’t celebrate Halloween, I think there’s something to learn from the holiday. People enjoy dressing up and looking like someone they’re not. Many live this way unconsciously regardless of the day. So today, we will discuss why it’s important to be your authentic self.
“Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.”
– Janelle Monáe
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Transparency is difficult, but it is effective. There will always be reasons to conceal the truth. You’re concerned that you’ll damage someone’s feelings. You’re worried that if people learn about a problem, it’ll create an unnecessary conflict. You’re certain that keeping minor details hidden will actually protect people from stress. So you’re a secret keeper. You are a liar who distorts the truth. You’ve spoken a few white lies. Worse, you believe you’ll get away with it. But the truth is that vulnerability has its own strength.
Here’s why.
Many people think of vulnerability as a synonym for weakness. Men are raised to suppress emotions and withhold feelings.
Emotional vulnerability, physical vulnerability, and social vulnerability are all different types of vulnerability.
Vulnerability does not always indicate exposing your concerns or secrets; it can also mean cracking a joke that others may not find amusing, sitting at a table with strangers, or telling someone you want to date them. You are practicing vulnerability if you do any of these things.
Vulnerability is a form of strength because it says to the entire world, “I don’t care what you think of me; this is me, and I refuse to be anyone else.” You are demonstrating your confidence by saying, “I am not needy.”
If you have a history of toxic relationships, it’s likely that you’re afraid of being vulnerable, so you don’t convey your genuine feelings and intentions. Maybe you’re caught in a job you don’t like but have to do because someone told you it was a good idea and you don’t want to let them down. Or maybe dressing nicely makes you feel uneasy, and smiling at strangers is weird.
The symptoms listed above are signs of a chronic inability to make yourself vulnerable.
Author of “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Robert Glover says: “Humans are attracted to each other’s rough edges.” Therefore, stop trying to be perfect, express yourself without insecurity. Take rejections as normal and move on as a bigger and stronger person.
Keep going!
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