Is vulnerability a strength or a weakness in today’s world?

[Anonymous]

These days everyone tries to act tough, like they don't care, don't feel, don't cry. But does opening up really make you weak, or does it take real strength to be honest about your feelings? In your experience, has being vulnerable helped you connect with others, or has it only hurt you?

[Vneila21]

As someone who has started on one side of the door and went through it. I would say vulnerability is more than strength, it is a God-given power. The people who have that tough-it-out mentality are more afraid that anything else. I was afraid of getting taken advantage of. The reason I made it this far is because of the amount of courage that is deep in my heart. The courage that built kindness, perseverance, humility, and many other things. It's always remained, and I can't help but use what I have. I've told people about my trauma's that I never thought I would utter. Being vulnerable has changed my life.

[bddddd]

I find you to be interesting. Say more, should you wish.

[Vneila21]

Fear weighs a lot. It isolates, steals any ounce of joy and/or happiness (makes you focus on the things you don't want in your life,) convinces you that you are a problem so much that you explode in anger when you don't get your way. I have no idea how I developed the gift of courage. I just know I'm glad I did. The main point is that you don't face your fears alone. We are all connected, so there is somebody who will relate. No therapists necessary.

[bddddd]

Plus 1

[FreyaRed]

It's always a weakness. Self-victimization might be effective tool for gaining attention and materialistic support in healthy and rich societies without any tension and fights for resources because people who enable and encourage often self-proclaimed victims, love to gratify their egos while playing highly empathetic and merciful individuals. However once such society starts to decay, being the oppressed one not the oppressor, make the victim just to an easy target for those who want to exploit or steal resources from others. Empathy, good will, mercy don't matter in times with real fight for survival.

[SteveSmith1985]

I think that its a strength, but not always. It depends. Being vulnerable had definitely helped me in making connections. It has forever for me. It's key. But you do have to be selective in who you allow yourself to be vulnerable with. But I think its an indispensable part of making a genuine connection with someone. Because being vulnerable, makes it easier for the other person to be vulnerable in return. I think it's a good thing. (With the people you feel are trustworthy.)

[Geo1970]

Being vulnerable can have its roots traced right back to your early childhood. It could also be traced back to a relationship, Or numerous relationships that didn’t go particularly well.


I think in summary 9 out of 10 it’s not our fault because a lot of it has been inflicted upon us which Leads to being vulnerable.


The most important thing about this is that we learned to overcome it, and use it to our advantage.

[Genie23]

Speaking from personal experience, being vulnerable in front of wrong kind of people (those were few of my friends and ex partner) will only lead to more hurt and trauma. After bad experiences, I became quite closed and reserved. Then came into my life a person who became not only a very close friend but also became like a family member and made me realise he's not one of those people who took advantage of my vulnerability or attack where it hurts. So, be careful and think a lot before you open up and who you're opening up to

[Phoenix98]

Being someone who has had their vulnerabilities taken advantage of, exploited and used against me on multiple occasions including by one of my own partners I see it as more of a weakness then a strength.

[exitseven]

It takes a lot of courage to open up and let somebody in. Itis like this from the late , great Jesse Winchester

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UbiilFNzEkM

[bddddd]

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en

[Nikki1989]

When you are vulnerable with others, you are showing them your authentic self, flaws and all, which can be considered a weakness.

[DryGermanGuy]

„Boss has to be tough!“
- Bogdan Wolynetz, Breaking Bad

[ProbablyClueless]

I think it's a strength. But only if you can do it with healthy boundaries and understand how to be vulnerable with the correct people.

[TheSpaceGnome]

I think we need to separate vulnerability from honesty.
Being honest isn't a weakness.
Being a doormat is.

[MannMitAntworten]

“Venerability” has been a growing buzzword since the late 80’s. I prefer authenticity in an individual over vulnerability. To thy own self be true…

[SotiCoto]

Is this a trick question?
Vulnerability is synonymous with Weakness. They're the same thing.

[Valdemort]

It's a strength treated as a weakness.

[ambitious_male]

It is a weakness in todays world.

[Kingofkings1992]

It’s a strength

[Amily_zen]

It can go both ways