being seen: finding power in vulnerability
Being Seen: Finding Power in Vulnerability
Vulnerability. It’s often misunderstood—discussed, maybe, but rarely embraced. We live in a culture obsessed with perfection, control, and keeping up appearances. But what happens when we stop running from vulnerability? What if it’s not a weakness, but a portal to strength, self-trust, and deeper connection?
Hi, and welcome! Since this is my first blog post, it’s only fitting that I start with something I’m deeply familiar with—vulnerability. Writing this feels scary, but I’ve learned that sharing your truth, even when it shakes you, is a radical act of courage. It’s also how you reclaim your voice and build intimacy with yourself and others.
Here, I’ll share stories and practices that can help you reconnect with your power and honor the truth of who you are. Together, we’ll explore how vulnerability can be your greatest ally in healing and how learning to say “yes” to what serves you—and “no” to what doesn’t—is an act of radical self-love.
What Does Vulnerability Really Mean?
The dictionary defines vulnerability as being “open to emotional or physical harm.” No wonder we avoid it! It feels dangerous, like leaving yourself exposed to rejection, hurt, or failure.
But here’s the paradox: vulnerability is also where intimacy and growth are born. To connect with ourselves and others, we must allow ourselves to be seen in our messy, imperfect, beautiful humanity. That’s where the magic happens.
I know how scary it is to let your guard down. If you've lived through betrayal, trauma, or disappointment, vulnerability can feel like an unbearable risk. It’s tempting to numb out, stay busy, or keep everyone at a distance. But protecting yourself this way only leads to deeper disconnection. True healing starts when you gently open the door to your truth.
Vulnerability and Intimacy: You Can’t Have One Without the Other
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my work as an intimacy and embodiment coach is this: you cannot have real intimacy without vulnerability. That applies to intimacy with yourself as much as it does with others.
When you avoid your feelings, you abandon yourself. When you push through life, people-pleasing and pretending you're okay, you shut yourself off from authentic connection. Vulnerability asks us to take a chance—to show up fully, knowing that rejection might happen. But there’s another possibility too: acceptance, understanding, and love.
Deep connection happens when two imperfect people allow themselves to be truly seen. In relationships, that means sharing the hard things—your fears, needs, and dreams—and trusting that someone will hold space for your tender heart. You deserve that kind of intimacy.
A Personal Story of Vulnerability
For me, vulnerability has shown up in both small and life-changing ways.
Sometimes, just being direct feels vulnerable. I remember a time when I asked a friend if we could change our plans. I resisted my usual habit of giving her a dozen alternative options to “protect” her from being disappointed. I simply asked for what I needed without overexplaining or controlling her response.
But a deeper, more pivotal moment of vulnerability was with an old partner. I had to share that I needed something different in our relationship, even though I knew he wouldn’t be up for it. In the end, we separated and uprooted our entire lives because of my truth. It hurt for a long time, but looking back, I know it was exactly what I needed. It was painful, yes, but also freeing.
A Simple Yet Powerful Practice for Reclaiming Your Voice
If you’ve ever struggled to set boundaries, you’re not alone. Saying no, especially if you’ve been conditioned to put others first, can feel terrifying—like you’re risking someone’s approval. But learning to say no is a powerful act of self-trust.
Here’s a practice I share with my clients to help you connect with your body’s “yes” and “no.” Try it whenever you feel disconnected from your inner voice:
Find Stillness. Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths. Feel the ground beneath you.
Ask for Your Yes. Gently say, “Show me my yes.” Notice what comes up—a warmth, an expansion, a forward pull.
Ask for Your No. Now say, “Show me my no.” You might feel tension, a heaviness, or a contraction in your body.
Build Trust. Practice this with small questions—“Do I want tea or coffee?” Over time, you’ll learn to trust your body’s signals and act in alignment with your truth.
The Gift of Vulnerability
Does vulnerability hurt sometimes? Yes. But every time you choose it, you strengthen your courage. You remind yourself that you are worthy of being seen and loved exactly as you are.
Healing through vulnerability takes time, but I’ve seen it change lives—including my own. I’ve witnessed clients break free from patterns of shame, self-abandonment, and fear by practicing small acts of vulnerability. Over time, they learned to trust themselves again—and you can too.
When you let others see you, something beautiful happens. You give them permission to show up fully too. Together, you create a space where connection and empathy can flourish.
Taking That First Brave Step
Vulnerability can stir deep feelings, so be gentle with yourself. You don’t have to face everything all at once. Start with small steps:
Share an honest feeling with someone you trust.
Say no to a request that doesn’t align with your needs—without guilt.
Offer yourself compassion when you feel scared or exposed.
Every time you choose to show up in your truth, you build self-trust and invite more connection and healing into your life. You are capable of profound transformation. Keep going—you are not broken. You are worthy of deep connection and intimacy, just as you are.
Keep the Conversation Going
If this message resonates with you and you’d like more support on your journey to self-trust and healing, let’s connect. Visit my website or follow me on social media for more tools, inspiration, and stories of transformation.
I’d be honored to walk this path with you.
Resources for Further Exploration
Brené Brown’s TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability
Tara Brach’s book Radical Acceptance
The Holistic Psychologist (Instagram)
