We numb vulnerability to avoid feeling shame from "summary" of Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Vulnerability is often seen as weakness, something to be avoided at all costs. We live in a culture that tells us to be strong, to have it all together, to never let anyone see us sweat. And so, when we feel vulnerable, when we feel exposed, we do everything in our power to numb those feelings. We turn to food, to alcohol, to drugs, to shopping, to work – anything to avoid feeling that sense of shame that vulnerability brings.
But the truth is, vulnerability is not weakness. It's courage. It's the willingness to show up and be seen, even when we have no control over the outcome. It's the willingness to be imperfect, to make mistakes, to be human. And when we numb vulnerability, we numb joy, we numb connection, we numb love. We can't selectively numb emotions – when we numb the painful ones, we also numb the positive ones.
So instead of numbing vulnerability, we need to embrace it. We need to lean into the discomfort, to allow ourselves to feel those raw, uncomfortable emotions. We need to be willing to be vulnerable, to be seen, to be authentic. Because when we do that, when we allow ourselves to be truly seen, we open ourselves up to joy, to connection, to love. And isn't that what life is all about?
