Vulnerability: Why It's Important and How To Open Up

Letting down those walls can be really scary, but it also opens up the possibility for deeply rooted connections, eliminates potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings, and allows us to be our authentic selves.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Vulnerability: Why It's Important + How To Open Up    Vulnerability is imperative in every relationship we have—friendships, familial, romantic, and even with ourselves. Letting down those walls can be really scary, but it also opens up the possibility for deeply rooted connections, eliminates potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings, and allows us to be our authentic selves.   This emotional openness is essential in all healthy relationships, as it paves the way for deeper understanding and evokes the empathy necessary for healthy long-term relationships."  — SHARI FOOS, MFT   How To Foster More Vulnerability—Starting Now All relationships are prone to fissures. Think of vulnerability as the mortar that helps fill in the cracks. Guarding our hearts, minds, and emotions is a natural inclination, so we need to be deliberate about opening up. Discuss Vulnerability Itself: If you've struggled to be vulnerable, simply sharing that truth and discussing why you're afraid to open up can help. It allows the other person to have greater empathy and understanding for you. Name a Fear: Whether it's a family dynamic, financial challenges, or career-related, we all have personal worries. Voicing these fears opens up the door to deeper connection with others, allows you to be honest with yourself, and can even help you overcome your worry.   Share a Goal: Discussing a goal you've set for yourself allows you to connect with another person both now and as you make progress. You'll surely gain a cheerleader who encourages you along the way and celebrates your success.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  This week, make a concerted effort to connect more deeply with someone. This could be a potential new friend, a family member, or even your current romantic partner. You could open up about a worry that's been on your mind or share a goal that you've got your sights set on. Whatever you discuss, focus on letting your guard down and observe how you feel at the end of your conversation. We're Not Really Strangers is a card game centered wholly around being vulnerable with those you love and care about. In addition to the OG relationship card game, there's a Family Edition, Self-Love Edition, and Forgiveness Edition. The Enneagram Personality Test dates way back to ancient times, but it's applicable even in our modern world. Try taking the test this week and ask those close to you to do the same. It can spark new conversations between you and help shine line on each other's needs and wants. There are many books that can help you better understand your Ennagram, as well, such as The Path Between Us and The Road Back to You.   This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   On the latest episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talked to GRAMMY Award-Winning Singer LeAnn Rimes about how the pandemic impacted her mental health. We also discussed her new podcast called Wholly Human  with LeAnn Rimes, and how she's aiming to help others "overcome the fragmentation that keeps us from feeling more complete and connected in today's world."      Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next How to Overcome Your Fear of Vulnerability READ NOW Consider These 9 Things Before Breaking Up With Your Partner READ NOW How to Build a Relationship Based on Interdependence READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy