The Power of Vulnerability: Why Being Vulnerable is So Important (and Attractive)

Vulnerability is hard; trust me, I know. The last thing I want to do is tell someone my feelings with the potential of them not feeling the same way or potentially rejecting me later down the line. However, If you feel something, you need to express it because it’s better to live with knowing you have been as clear as you can be with someone rather than living with the regret of not knowing how they would’ve reacted if you shared your feelings.

Note: It’s important to remember that sometimes, everything doesn’t work out. Sometimes the person or people we are vulnerable with decide that you aren’t intended to be in their life no matter how vulnerable you are with them. Being vulnerable is hard and scary for this reason; you don’t know how they are going to react and because you don’t know, it could hold you back from expressing everything and being authentically yourself. But I can promise you that sharing your emotions and being rejected is far better than not sharing your emotions and regretting it later on.

Feeling things so deeply is not a curse, it is your biggest strength. Share your emotions so they stop consuming you.

Here are reasons why being vulnerable is so important:

1. Hurt people, hurt people - don't be one of them If you don't express your emotions, you will end up hurting the other person by lashing out or building up resentment for their lack of awareness of your feelings towards them. But the truth is that it is no one's fault except your own for not communicating your feelings.

2. Fearing rejection will keep you stagnant What you need to be less of, is afraid. Fear is not going to protect you, fear is not going to shield you away from the loss that you will feel if you are rejected. Fear is not going to make you smile when regret creeps in from not expressing your emotions fully and openly. Fear is just going to keep you small and stagnant. You won't be able to grow with friendships and relationships if you consistently keep your feelings and emotions to yourself.

3. Communication is attractive There is no better feeling than someone who says what they feel and is confident in what their messaging is simply because they can’t stand another second to go by without telling you how they feel. Communication isn’t just important in romantic settings but also vital in friendships; address things as they come up, not weeks or days later. Express your emotions when you feel them because when you hold in your feelings, the only person you are protecting is them and you are meanwhile hurting yourself.

4. You will understand your partner more and therefore become closer If you expressing your emotions pushes them away, then they were never yours to begin with. Expressing your feelings and being vulnerable will only strengthen the bond you have with someone else, it is a sign of strength and therefore will make you feel more comfortable expressing your feelings in the future with the other person.

5. It will help you heal How are you supposed to move past the feelings if you don't express them? Holding onto your emotions is painful and over time can make you resent the other person when they have no idea you had these feelings or emotions about them to begin with. Healing can only happen most times if you release the person, along with the feelings and this is best achieved by communicating your feelings.