The Pursuit of Realness
Baring your skin, and exposing the breakdown of every layer within you is a hard feat.
Sharing your innermost fears, emotions, thoughts, and dreams can be deemed transverse as we navigate who we are to ourselves and who we allow the world to see.
I struggle to be vulnerable.
It’s a struggle to lay bare my soul in a manner that grants others access to the core of my being.
The very center of who I am.
Conversely, I am transparent and open.
I have a deep understanding of myself, knowing which parts I can freely share and which I hold close, cherishing them with my entirety.
I’m not concealing anything, nor am I being disingenuous in my ability to share without fully divulging.
I recognize that we all possess layers of ourselves that we hold valuable.
Granting someone entry into your sanctum, a realm rarely traveled with others, can brew a complex tapestry of expectations — some of which we may not yet be prepared to embrace.
The power of vulnerability is said to nurture an authentic existence, one in which we can lay bare our souls.
But, I have to wonder, is it truly worth it?
Being vulnerable
I am not vocal about sharing my craft of writing. I hold it sacred to me.
Yes, I do share my work, but the deepest recesses of my thoughts, the wellspring of my inspiration, and my vision I safeguard.
Fear lingers — fear that when I unveil the voices from my subconscious, they may encounter questions and uncertainties.
Beyond that, scrutiny and judgment.
It renders me vulnerable.
Through this I have learned to withdraw that part of me from my outward being, sharing with those that I truly hold dear.
Vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
— Definition from Oxford Languages
Strangely, being vulnerable fortifies our connections, enhancing genuine human interactions as we lay bare our deepest feelings, regrets, fears, weaknesses, and traumas.
Vulnerability forges a platform where we can be authentically recognized, and seen in our unadulterated essence.
It is the act of unconsciously peeling back the layers.
Every article, every piece.
It is an essential component in the cultivation of meaningful relationships, yet paradoxically, it remains one of the few things we are able to do.
Why do we fear being vulnerable?
Shame. Judgement. Insecurity. The list can go on, but simply put it is fear.
We yearn for acceptance of our imperfections and concealed truths, when we entrust others with our naked selves.
You question if they will exploit you.
Will they still love you?
Will they look at you differently?
Are their feelings going to change?
That pivotal moment when you decide to reveal all, you grapple with the uncertainty of acceptance.
Regrettably, it remains unpredictable, a leap into the unknown.
As you bare yourself, scars are unveiled.
No longer can we hide behind the facades we choose to present, but we reveal the unmasked, unfiltered, and raw parts of ourselves.
Why do we need to be vulnerable?
It can be life-changing. Sharing your truest and deepest self can create a level of transparency that omits the need for questions.
Vulnerability allows us to exchange frequencies with others which creates an intentional and authentic vibration.
I often emphasize authenticity because to lead a fulfilled life you must be true to yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Authenticity is paramount in your personal journey.
Maintaining a frequency closely aligned with your core self is essential. In doing so, you enable others to see who you truly are at your very essence.
The strength of our relationships is often gauged by our willingness to be vulnerable.
The Losses
While there is much at stake, I am inclined to shy away from this somber notion.
Our vulnerabilities are housed by our egos and insecurities.
We yearn for safety.
The protection we cover ourselves in, we know is strong. We built it. This barrier enables us to curate what we reveal, how we unveil it, and to what extent; it is our armor.
Breaking down that defense can be arduous, it creates uncertainty that we are unable to control.
And that, precisely, is what we fear.
We cannot predetermine how our deepest emotions will be perceived, how our profound thoughts will be embraced, or how our scars will be judged.
All we can do is expose ourselves, bearing it all, with the fervent hope that in our raw authenticity, we, as we are, are enough.
The Wins
Life unfolds with openness.
As you bare your emotions, you allow your unconscious to navigate.
The assumptions and biases that once held us captive are allowed to run free from expectation, allowing us to immerse ourselves to experience the flow of life in its unfiltered state.
This grants us the ability to live more presently with heightened awareness.
It paves the way for personal growth, emotional exploration, and self-awareness.
No longer are we confined by self-imposed perceptions; instead, we are firmly rooted in our sense of self.
In the authenticity of our representation, fear finds no home — flaws included.
I have challenged myself to break free from self-imposed limitations, and to explore life, relationships, and love in their purest forms.
Transparency and vulnerability are indispensable as you seek genuine connections and relationships.
Vulnerability follows a non-linear path; trust your instincts (not everyone deserves all of you — especially if they are unable to reciprocate it).
Through this journey, we may encounter emotional turbulence, but with comprehension, we refuse to let fear shackle our minds.
It is a road that unveils itself as we journey it.
Leave your footprints in the sand, whether what you desire walks beside you, leads the way, or takes its last steps behind.
- Shei
