Vulnerability is the doorway to deeper connection, emotional strength, and authentic living.

When Open-Hearted Living Gets Hard

Are you scared to be vulnerable? I am. I never thought I was, though. I’ve always lived open-heartedly, which for me means showing up authentically in all areas of my life. However, over the last few months, I found myself pulling back—hiding during hard times because I feared exposing my struggles.

As a coach, I want to be an inspirational leader and a steady rock for the people around me. Yet as I’ve questioned what I truly want in my relationships and career, I’ve felt myself shrinking. It’s been harder to focus and live out loud. My goals have stalled, and instead of moving toward them, I’ve been more focused on simply getting by.

Why I Paused the Glow Living Newsletter

One of the first things to go was the Glow Living newsletter. Why? Because I didn’t want to send something generic or inauthentic. I’d rather pause than put out content that doesn’t feel real.

Reading Daring Greatly by the amazing Dr. Brené Brown helped me see the truth: my lack of momentum with Glow Living comes from the discomfort of addressing tough topics when I feel personally vulnerable. I can talk for hours about challenges that aren’t affecting me in the moment. But when I’m in the middle of my own struggle, it’s harder to show up publicly.

The Vulnerability Epidemic

The more I open up about vulnerability, the more I see it’s an epidemic holding people back. For example, in relationships, if you crave deeper intimacy but can’t seem to reach it, I’d bet it’s because one or both of you finds vulnerability hard.

What Are We Really Afraid Of?

So what are we really afraid of? That if we show our true selves, people won’t like or respect us? That they’ll criticize or leave? That we’ll appear weak for revealing our fears and feelings?

Here’s the truth: vulnerability is a sign of emotional strength, maturity, and self-esteem. It’s also attractive—people are drawn to authenticity. Often, the part of ourselves we hide is the very thing that makes others fall in love with us.

Risk and Reward in Being Real

If we open up to those we love and they reject us, perhaps they are the ones who aren’t worthy. I know it doesn’t always feel like it’s worth the risk, but isn’t it better to know who will still stand with you after seeing your whole heart?

Let’s Explore Vulnerability Together

I’m still learning and exploring this through Brené Brown’s work, so I don’t have it all figured out. But I’d love for us to explore it together. Let’s make GlowLiving.com a safe space to share vulnerability and see what happens when we show up for each other without masks.