I’ve had my share of unhealthy relationships. I believe the hardest part of discerning was what was “unhealthy”. I believe that happened because I was simply unaware. I had not defined for myself what I needed, and valued and had not committed completely and wholeheartedly that those values were essential for me to thrive and to grow in life .
Looking back I am like : “What in the world was going on!” Yeah, and it makes so much sense now that I know who I am what my self worth needs in order to thrive and be connected to another human being, and to be loved, and ‘in love.’
So below I share some thoughts on being in a healthy ‘vulnerable ‘ relationship, that helps us to thrive and be our best selves. I decided to approach it from a vulnerable place, because vulnerability requires trust. And if you love someone vulnerability should be an essential part of helping that relationship to grow completely as individuals and also as a couple.
Vulnerability with your partner should never be considered a weakness. You should continually be moving towards fruitfulness and transparency and greater love.
So here are a few things that being vulnerable in a relationship teaches you:
1. Vulnerability teaches you to ask for help. You increase your connectedness to others and learn to empathize with them. It’s essential for growth.
2. Being vulnerable teaches you the unknown parts of yourself. You develop a sense of resiliency and it challenges your authenticity – your heart mind and soul. It also helps you to be more self-aware.
3. With vulnerability, you develop a new appreciation for self-care. Self-care is essential to a certain level of awareness and patterns with yourself. Being able to address them with honesty, help you to grow in vulnerability.
4. Vulnerability teaches you to walk in realness. There’s a level of authenticity that comes from sharing honestly with others and you choose to listen, share and engage differently.
5. Vulnerability teaches you to connect better to your emotional self. Knowing “why” you’re angry; “why “ you’re sad, and why you’re emotional and choosing to do continual, intentional self-evaluation – helps you notice yourself on another level.
6. Being vulnerable allows you to have a better relationship with Grace. Not everyone understands grace and how to live in congruence with it; but what vulnerability teaches you is that grace is something we can ‘expect ‘ and ‘choose’ and live with intentionally, despite how we feel about life and how they occur- that things will get better, we will overcome ; and life can depended upon to operate in a full circle, that’s complete .
7. Vulnerability teaches you to be grateful and share your thankfulness. Appreciation comes in several selfless acts. When you share openly, of what you’re thankful for you’ll find people appreciate you, and consider the same blessings . Is this something that is reciprocated in your relationships? If not, it’s something to consider.
9. Vulnerability teaches you to be patient with yourself . When you push yourself past your limitations and you learn how to deal with successes despite being frustrated. You teach others how to be patient , as well.
10. Author and spiritual leader Spencer Kimball says that “Humility is royalty without a crown.” Humility is learned by truly being vulnerable. Being able to acknowledge your weaknesses and to grow in wisdom and grace daily with intention, are life’s truest blessings.
11. Vulnerability teaches you the most meaningful thing in life are learned by “pacing yourself ” through life. When I ‘slow my roll’ , I am informed, I am clear, I make room for more. Vulnerability leads me into the experience of “more”…
12. Vulnerability teaches you to release. It helps you to recognize when you’re burdened or heavy, and that relationship , or situation needs to be let go. Maybe you’re carrying more than you should, if you have not yet recognized the value of letting go. When you choose to really ‘ think about what you’re thinking’, choosing to let go of weight that causes anxiety and stress helps us find a way to cope with our inadequate thoughts and insecurities. That’s truly being vulnerable.
Thanks for sharing this helpful information. I’m sure most people can take notes from this article. Well, this post gives us some good ideas to maintain a healthy relationship.
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You’re wellcome Laura!
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You’re welcome !☺️
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Thanks Donna I appreciate your response. I learned unfortunately through negative experiences of not “allowing myself to be vulnerable.” With time, I suppose we all can choose to learn from our experiences. Eh?☺️
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“I had not defined for myself what I needed, and valued and had not committed completely and wholeheartedly that those values were essential for me to thrive and to grow in life .“ What a different world we would have if people did this before being married!
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Indeed so, so important . It just helps to have that kind of clarity. You’re right if people just got a chance to know themselves and what’s important in life and who they were, they might save years in terms of how “healthy” they can truly be. Mental health does involve knowing and valuing and recognizing our our own personal needs.
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‘A Need for Vulnerability’ really encouraged me to assess my close relationships where I avoid being vulnerable and why, especially with my husband and children. Your insight into the power of vulnerability to establish healthy relationships is really helpful and encouraging. I love the perspectives that you shared about self-care, pacing yourself through life and being patient with yourself. We are better for others when we take care of ourselves! Thanks for sharing, this was really good!
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