The Key to Finding Your Strength Lies in Vulnerability

The last thing I wanted to feel after experiencing sexual abuse was vulnerability.

I never wanted to feel vulnerable again and I did everything I could to avoid that feeling.

When I did feel vulnerable, I would shut down and make sure that feeling was gone as soon as possible.

However, when I started my healing journey, I had to face the past and in doing so, I felt the weight of vulnerability.

What happened next surprised me; I started getting stronger each time I faced my vulnerability without running away from it.

It started out by me journaling about my past experience, talking about it, and the more I did this, the stronger I became; the less my past controlled me.

When I started sharing my story online, I never felt stronger.

Why does facing our vulnerability make us stronger?

I’m going to share some way I believe it makes us stronger.

It Builds Emotional Resilience

When we allow ourselves to feel, express, and face uncomfortable emotions such as fear, shame, and grief, we learn that we can survive them. Each time we face vulnerability, we grow more emotionally equipped to handle life’s challenges. In turn, we gain confidence.

As I mentioned above, I spent a lot of time writing and thinking about my experience with sexual abuse. At first, it was tough going back to that place. The wounds opened immediately and felt fresh. I felt the desire to go back to comfort and try to forget that it ever happened like I did for the previous 20 years, but I didn’t. Each time I stayed in that vulnerability I got a little stronger. This is what healing looks like. It’s messy, it’s difficult, but the results are worth it.

It Deepens Authentic Connections

Vulnerability invites connection. When we open up about our struggles, fears, or hopes, we give others permission to do the same. This builds trust, empathy, and deeper relationships, personally and professionally.

I remember struggling with my trauma throughout the years and feeling like nobody understood what I was going through. I started sharing my story and immediately people started to thank me for doing so. You don’t come across people too often that are willing to share their story and when they do, it’s powerful. It gives us hope when we hear someone else’s story and how they were able to turn their life around.

It Increases Self-Worth

Showing up as your real self, flaws and all, signals to your inner world: “I am enough as I am.” This builds confidence rooted not in perfections, but in self-acceptance.

I really started to accept who I was and not care as much about what people thought of me when I started to address my past. The biggest change came when I started sharing my story. I’m not saying that everyone should share their story, but I had the biggest breakthrough when I did this. I put everything out there and have nothing to hide. I am becoming more and more comfortable with being myself.

It Reduces Shame and Fear

Shame thrives in silence and secrecy. Speaking your truth out loud weakens shame’s grip and breaks the cycle of fear, judgement, and hiding.

You have to have courage to address your past and start healing. When you take bold actions like this, you’re going to become more confident. Shame and fear cannot survive in the company of confidence. I’m more confident in myself now than I’ve ever been in my life. When you start healing, shame will melt away and fear will start to become quieter.

It Fuels Growth

Being vulnerable means taking risks: trying something new, asking for help, setting boundaries, admitting when you’re wrong. These are the exact behaviors that lead to learning, leadership, and transformation.

Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. When you start addressing your past, it’s going to be uncomfortable. However, the most amazing thing starts to happen when you do; you start to grow. You start to find that you can become the person you’ve always wanted to become. When you choose healing, you’re choosing growth.

It Aligns You with Your Truth

Living vulnerably means you stop living for others’ approval and start living in alignment with your values. That kind of integrity, choosing courage over comfort, creates an unshakable inner strength.

When you heal, you start to see who you are beneath all of the trauma. You stop caring less about what others think about you and focus more on becoming that person. This is what happened to me. It’s the freest you’ll ever feel.

Here are some journal prompts to help you with your vulnerability:

1) What part of myself am I afraid to share with others? Why?

2) What would it feel like to be more honest about what I need or feel?

3) What am I trying to protect by staying guarded? What is the cost of that protection?

4) What does strength mean to me now, compared to earlier in my life?

5) What beliefs do I hold about vulnerability (e.g., “It’s weakness”)? Where did those come from?

Stay positive and take action!

Thank you for your support!

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