The Nystrom & Associates providers consulted for this article are Michelle Iversen, LMFT and Brett Cushing, LMFT. Michelle and Brett are Outpatient Therapists and the co-hosts of Psyched for Psychology.
Being vulnerable in the moment might be uncomfortable; however, vulnerability has many unforeseen benefits. Being vulnerable allows us to connect to others to cultivate healthy relationships, whether it’s with family, friends, co-workers, or a partner. In the first podcast of Psyched for Psychology, co-hosts Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing dive into The Benefits of Vulnerability. Keep reading to learn all about vulnerability from a therapist’s perspective.
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What is Vulnerability?
First, let’s define vulnerability. Vulnerability is when someone openly shares their emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. Doing so not only fosters open communication but also helps to cultivate empathy within a relationship.
Whether in our family or work environments, we are often in chronic environments of invalidation. We don’t know when we’ll be criticized next or believe we are only as good as our last mistake. We carry a weight of unpredictability.
Nobody likes unpredictability and anxiety – it causes discomfort. But, if we don’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable to other people, that keeps us from being seen by the people we care about the most. So, what if we were to lean into that discomfort (when it makes sense) and use it as an opportunity to grow? It becomes easy to lean into openness once we learn the benefits of vulnerability.
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Why is Being Vulnerable So Difficult?
Being vulnerable causes us to be seen and exposed, sometimes creating an underlying fear of rejection. For example, you might think, “What would happen to me if other people really saw me for who I am?” Michelle helps to explain this fear.
Many people struggle with being vulnerable, and some people may be wired to be more “threat-sensitive” and therefore more likely to want to protect their thoughts and emotions from others (even in safe social situations). It may feel as though this will protect us from emotional harm, but it can sometimes damage our relationships with others when we don’t allow any of our vulnerabilities to show.
The good news is that there are ways to help us open up in our relationships. “Working in therapy, we can help to change this response and activate a helpful area in our brain associated with social safety,” says Michelle. “This will increase our vulnerability with safe people in our lives, but at the same time, we will also increase our social connectedness with others and be seen as more authentic, strong, open, and courageous.”
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The Benefits of Vulnerability
Vulnerability Builds Trust
One of the most crucial benefits of vulnerability is that it builds trust and intimacy in relationships. “When there’s no vulnerability, and I don’t let you or anybody else see the real me, there’s no real know-ability,” says Brett. “You don’t know me; you just see this exterior of me. In contrast, know-ability leads to intimacy and connectivity with one another.”
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Vulnerability is Liberating
When we can embrace vulnerability at opportune times, it becomes liberating. Think of the weight that comes with all the “what if” questions we hold on to about whether we want to open up to another person or not. When we open up, we let that weight go, and it feels freeing not only to ourselves but to other people around us.
Vulnerability Promotes Authenticity
Another benefit of vulnerability is that it promotes authenticity. Research shows that we love for other people to be authentic. We want ourselves and the people around us to feel real. “If we buy into that myth that we always need to be strong, perfect, and capable…the research says we’re really at risk as coming across as the opposite, as inauthentic,” Michelle states.
When Can You Be Vulnerable?
For those that want to start being vulnerable, it can be tempting to go all in. However, this can shock the system and negate some of the benefits of vulnerability discussed above. Rather than laying everything on the line right away, it’s important to take small steps.
Being vulnerable doesn’t mean you are spilling your entire life story to everyone you meet. It means starting small and choosing the right time to open up. Pay attention to how you feel when you are vulnerable in your relationships. Start slowly; make sure you feel comfortable and that the vulnerability is reciprocated within the relationship.
Related: How Interpersonal Effectiveness Improves Your Relationships
A Word From Nystrom & Associates
Being vulnerable doesn’t always come easy. A great space to start opening up is therapy. If you need support, talk with us at 1-844-NYSTROM or request an appointment online.
Want to listen to the entire podcast episode on The Benefits of Vulnerability? Click here to subscribe to the podcast.
Source: Nystrom & Associates
