There Is Strength In Showing Weakness: Vulnerability Matters

In a world where everyone seems to have it all together on the outside, being vulnerable can feel like a risk. We're often taught to present our most polished selves – to be strong, unshakable, and self-reliant. But what if, instead of weakness, vulnerability was actually a quiet form of strength?

For many, learning to be vulnerable is a process – one that opens the door to deeper relationships, personal healing, and emotional freedom. Whether in friendships, romantic partnerships, or counselling sessions, vulnerability plays a powerful role in helping us connect with others and ourselves.

What is vulnerability?

To be vulnerable means to show your true self – especially the parts that feel uncertain, wounded, or raw. Emotional vulnerability involves sharing our struggles, fears, past traumas, and emotional triggers with others. It's revealing what makes us feel anxious, ashamed, sad, or angry, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Why it’s difficult to be vulnerable

Many of us have been raised to hide our emotional struggles. In families where vulnerability wasn’t modelled – where parents put on a strong front and avoided emotional openness – it’s common to grow up believing that showing weakness is something to be avoided.

There’s also a very human instinct to protect ourselves. When we open up, we risk being judged, rejected, or misunderstood. That’s why most people reserve their vulnerable side for those they deeply trust – if they allow it to be seen at all.

The benefits of showing vulnerability

Though it may feel risky, being vulnerable can be profoundly rewarding. It allows us to form genuine connections—ones rooted not in perfection, but in shared humanity. No one has it all figured out. When you express your struggles, you invite others to say, “Me too.”

Group therapy is a powerful example of this. People find comfort in hearing others’ stories, realising they’re not alone in their experiences. Vulnerability helps us build trust, foster empathy, and deepen relationships by allowing others to see the real us – not just our highlight reel.

It’s also essential in the therapy space. Finding a therapist is only the first step. Your counsellor can only guide you through healing when you’re willing to share your thoughts and emotions honestly. Vulnerability is the bridge that makes meaningful support and growth possible.

How to practise vulnerability

If being vulnerable feels foreign or scary, start small.

• Begin with yourself. Pay attention to your emotions. Give them names. Sit with them instead of pushing them away. Journalling can be a helpful tool to track and understand what’s going on internally.

• Open up gradually. Practice having deeper conversations with trusted friends or loved ones. Share how you’re really feeling – about your day, your worries, or a small insecurity. Authenticity invites deeper connection.

• Consider therapy. Speaking to a licensed counsellor provides a safe, confidential space to explore your struggles without fear of judgement. Therapists are trained to hold space, ask meaningful questions, and gently guide you through the discomfort of vulnerability, at your own pace.

Conclusion

Vulnerability is not a flaw – it’s a gateway to growth. It takes courage to share your inner world, but doing so can lighten your emotional load, bring clarity, and strengthen your connections with others.

If you're struggling to open up or feel like you’re carrying too much alone, consider reaching out for professional support. Therapy can be a powerful space where you’re heard, held, and helped. You don’t have to keep it all in. If you’re ready to talk, our mental health therapists at Being Counselling and Wellness are here for you.