{"id":7393,"date":"2015-12-10T04:00:16","date_gmt":"2015-12-10T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lauradoyle1.wpengine.com\/?p=7393"},"modified":"2023-12-20T22:35:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T06:35:13","slug":"being-vulnerable-in-a-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lauradoyle.org\/blog\/being-vulnerable-in-a-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"Being Vulnerable in a Relationship: The Complete Beginners Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

I used to think being vulnerable was a sign of weakness. I didn\u2019t think it was particularly desirable to be weak, so the whole vulnerability thing seemed like something to avoid.<\/p>\n

I knew I was strong and could speak up when something wasn\u2019t right, which I didn\u2019t hesitate to do. I wasn\u2019t afraid to fight city hall, and I always seemed to be doing that.<\/p>\n

But I was afraid. I was afraid to let that soft, undefended part of me show. I was afraid that part of me was repulsive. I didn\u2019t like feeling so exposed.<\/p>\n

I still don\u2019t, if I\u2019m honest.<\/p>\n

But I love the part right after I run through the waterfall of fear and find out what\u2019s on the other side.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s indescribable.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s exhilarating.<\/p>\n

Anything could happen because I\u2019m not controlling my image. And I\u2019ve never known anything more gratifying than feeling loved for being my most authentic self, even if I\u2019m a mess.<\/p>\n

Now that I know how it feels to be completely exposed and feel loved anyway, I wouldn\u2019t want to live any other way.<\/p>\n

Now, I actually go out of my way to be vulnerable.<\/p>\n

After spending the first twenty-something years of my life as a steamroller who rolled right over whatever threatened me, this is how I finally got there:<\/p>\n

I used the language of vulnerability. I use it because it reminds me who I want to be.<\/p>\n

Here are the phrases I rely on to help me get vulnerable, which I now consider essential for intimacy:<\/p>

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Contents<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n