Brené Brown was a fantastic find while on one of my many TedTalk marathons. Brown discusses a subject which I can honestly say I have felt taboo speaking about previously: vulnerability.
I could be alone in my opinion but if I don't share, I've likely taken nothing from listening to this talk. Vulnerability from a female perspective is truly fascinating, we are easily the best and worst for our ability to share and be seen.
As I sat listening to Brown, her words rang true to me, hearing her struggle to accept that vulnerability is "the core of shame and fear and our struggle for worthiness, but also appears to be the birth place of joy, creativity, of belonging and of love."
We live in a world where our fear of vulnerability overshadows our ability to be "whole hearted" which in turn leaves us disconnected, striving for a perfection which just isn't realistic. Brown through her research learns for us to be truly 'whole hearted' we have to "stop controlling and predicting". This terrifies me still.
As a woman in her late twenties, still trying to figure out A LOT about life, I'm now leaning toward this theory being liberating. To be told, it's okay to not have to have the answers, to not be perfect, it's refreshing after believing I have to be a 'strong independent female', "selectively numbing emotions".
LHi recently asked me to speak about a woman I found inspirational for International Women's Day, I picked Frida Kahlo, a women whose painting I studied while at university. When discussing why I found her to be inspirational, it lead straight back to Brown's research. This need to be able to be authentic to yourself. To be courageous enough to embrace vulnerability and realise you are good enough without having to perfect or pretend.
On her website Brown says "Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness".
{ Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
