How Overcoming This False Belief Led Me to Authenticity, Healing, and Real Connection

Today, I want to talk about vulnerability and how it changed my life.

The night I first watched Brené Brown's TED Talk, I was lying in bed, alone, drinking—a habit I had picked up to numb the pain and quiet the hypervigilant thoughts that never seemed to stop.

I was struggling with my mental health, feeling deeply disconnected from life, from others, and from myself. Past wounds had left me afraid to trust, afraid to feel. To protect myself, I hardened my heart, repressed my emotions, and built walls I thought would keep me safe.

I falsely believed that vulnerability was weakness. I falsely believed that being guarded would protect me from getting hurt.

But Brené Brown introduced me to a different perspective. She showed me that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s courage. And, more importantly, it’s the key to human connection.

Overcoming the Fear of Vulnerability: How Embracing Authenticity Leads to Genuine Connection

That last part shook me to my core. I yearned for connection and community more than anything, but my fear of being hurt kept me isolated. Despite all my efforts to “stay safe,” I still felt lonely and depressed. The joy of life felt out of reach.

I was desperate for something different. So I made a choice.

From that day forward, I vowed to show up in life with vulnerability. To face my fears, bring light to my shadows, and embrace healing—for myself and for others. At first, I practiced in small ways, opening up to close friends. Over time, my practice expanded to sharing publicly through Instagram, my newsletter, and this blog.

My Personal Journey with Trauma and Healing: How Vulnerability Led to Self-Discovery

I share this because I have something vulnerable to tell you.

After years of seeking answers and healing, this past year has brought me both clarity and challenges.

Last spring, as I started my blog, I was just beginning to fully recognize that what happened in my childhood was trauma. Writing about my experiences triggered emotions I had never processed before. The weight of these realizations, compounded with the collective trauma of a global pandemic, left me struggling to function.

Eventually, I knew I needed more support. I sought out a new therapist, and together, we began sorting through my triggers, memories, and emotions. Then, in the fall, I finally received the diagnosis that made sense of so many struggles I had faced over the past decade: PTSD.

The Transformative Power of Vulnerability: How Opening Up Supports Healing and Personal Growth

I share this because I believe in the transformative power of vulnerability. I have lived it.

Vulnerability takes our pain and alchemizes it into connection. It turns loneliness into shared experience. It is the foundation for deep, authentic relationships—the kind that help us heal.

And when we feel less alone, we are stronger. More resilient. More capable of healing and growing.

You Are Not Alone: Finding Strength, Support, and Connection Through Shared Healing

If you are struggling with trauma, healing, or mental health challenges, know this: you are not alone. I have been there, and I am here with you.

Thank you for following along on my journey, and thank you for allowing me to be part of yours. If you’d like to read more about the process of conscious transformation, I just released a new blog here.

Talk soon!

Until then, keep growing, stay curious, and continue healing.

Love,
Liz