Our journey through vulnerability

The way the world thinks

We live in a world that celebrates strength, resilience, and confidence. We are encouraged to put on a brave face, hide our doubts and insecurities, and project an image of unassailable perfection. The predominant thought in our mind is to avoid making mistakes, lest others come to know our inner thoughts. We live in a highly competitive society where people are in constant fear of judgement and criticism. This arouses fear and needless consciousness.

 

Our response towards vulnerabilities

In a world that celebrates perfection and strength, the concept of vulnerability carries a stigma. Vulnerability is considered a weakness that attracts the negative opinions and judgements of others. So we build up walls around us to make us appear as a perfect and strong personality. It is, however, this moment of fear, insecurity and vulnerability that acts as the bridge towards our connections that lend a sense of purpose to our lives. By refusing to be vulnerable, we may miss out on what could be the most significant catalyst for self growth.
Most people refrain from opening up and expressing weaknesses because it allows for potential emotional pain. It could be an outcome of a past experience when they had been ridiculed for expressing a certain fear or a weakness that made them feel inadequate.

 

Actions and interventions to overcome vulnerability

Some of the ways to overcome the fear and anxiety is by socializing, giving presentations, or expressing ourselves through any other skill we learn. We engage in an act of courage as we let our guard down and enter a position where we can fail, disappoint people, be laughed at and get rejected. But in the process, we open up a path to immense self-growth and strength. Further, when we are fearless, it encourages others to correlate with their individual vulnerabilities. It becomes a bedrock of friendship, a platform of exchange of sympathy and consolation. Journaling is an effective way to initiate the process of exposing our vulnerability when one can honestly pen down her weaknesses and innermost thoughts.
There are times when we wilfully cut ourselves off from others, partly to hide our vulnerabilities and for putting up a facade of ourselves before others. This, however, only makes us alienate ourselves, helping nobody. It is when we shed our inhibitions and start talking that actually relieves us of our fear and insecurity. We progress as a team. In fact, the relationships in life that we value most were perhaps forged during our vulnerable times; when we may have shared a dream or divulged a worry to which each of the partners had empathised.

 

Learnings and benefits

Exposing our vulnerability fosters improved connection, more efficient leadership and growth. It is also necessary to encourage others around us to speak their minds out. It brings people closer, strengthens bonds and improves the collective mental health of society as a whole. Embracing emotional vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards a more compassionate and fulfilling life. It is through this openness that we find the courage to truly connect, grow and heal together.

 

About the authors

The article has been contributed by the following students from St. Joseph’s High School, Matigara, Darjeeling: June Samriddhi Chhetri, Reya Pradhan, Adrija Basak and Priyadarshini Ghosh.