Emotionally Vulnerable Humans
Are you one?
An incident from today tempted me to write this post.
I greet and acknowledge everyone I meet on my morning walks. I say ‘everyone’ to include not just people from the condominium where I live at but strangers, other early birds, security guards, street side vendors, chai-walas, the corporation staff, maids, drivers and everyone who tries to catch my eye. Just a slight nod in their direction, a friendly hello or a cheerful good morning wish is enough to make people feel ‘seen’.
When I travel and return, I know I have been missed from how much attention I get from all of them. One of them asks me how long I was away, one asks about my well being, some smile at my familiar face. A few though — complete strangers with whom I exchange just a ‘hello’ and a smile — stop me on my tracks to update me on their lives.
This prompted me to contemplate on what makes people reach out? Why do we want to tell about our lives to someone we barely know? Why do we think they care?
Have you had the urge to share updates from your life with someone you barely know ?
I have an affable personality and have often been trusted by many who have shared their emotions, their needs, their mistakes. I listen empathetically without judgment. I have had the good fortune of getting to know people who are as vulnerable as me and with whom I can be myself without the fear of judgement. I share updates with them even though it might seem like ‘too much information’ sometimes ( You know who you are)
I found out that it takes a lot of courage to display your vulnerability and open up without the fear of being judged. Emotional vulnerability is a state of mind that makes people want to share their life experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them.
By just acknowledging the people I meet every morning, I have earned their trust and I am able to connect with them.
In all my years as an adult, I think it is my vulnerability that has helped me connect with people — some amazing ones who have become life long friends.
However showing your trusting, vulnerable self is not all sunshine and roses. Sometimes it tempts others to exploit you. Sometimes vulnerability may be misread as being sensitive or a sign of weakness. Vulnerable people are thought of as easily manipulated. This is everything that being vulnerable is NOT.
Being vulnerable is having the courage to be you. It is not a sign of weakness but a measure of your strength.
