The difference between honesty and vulnerability
Creating Meaningful Support Systems Through Openness
As we officially prepared to move to Texas, I wanted to share a heartfelt moment with you…
A friend of mine called to see if we could meet for coffee before I left the island. We normally go for walking meetings on the waterfront to not only catch up on life but get some exercise in. I told her that I desperately wanted to make the time but knew I still had lots of packing to do. What I didn’t share immediately is that we had lost water in the front part of the house for the last 4 days so I was MacGyvering washing the dishes and laundry while trying to homeschool our kids, work on an important project for work and get our home decluttered and packed away to move to Dallas. It was a lot and I was lowkey drowning. My friend sensed the overwhelm in my voice as I searched my mind for a day and time that would actually work. She calmly said to me, “what’s going on with you?”
That was all the permission I needed to verbally and emotionally release all I was currently going through. She was shocked and then did something that made my eyes start to water. She said, “I’m going to come to your house tomorrow morning to spend time with you and I’m going to bring breakfast for your family so you don’t have to worry about cooking or dishes.” The love and support I felt in that moment was overwhelming in the best possible way and I’m thankful for the brief courage I had to share the messy reality of my life in that moment.
As I reflected on that moment, it hit me that there’s a difference between honesty and vulnerability that we don’t speak about enough.
Being honest, while still a brave act, is about providing accurate information and being transparent about facts and opinions. It is the act of not lying about a situation so in my conversation with my friend, I was honest about having quite a bit of packing left to do and not being sure that I could make the time to meet with her.
Vulnerability goes deeper than just being honest and involves a certain level of discomfort or risk about your present state. The moment I started sharing the depth of my feelings to an extent where it opened the door to a level of unknown judgment or reaction, is where honesty turns into vulnerability. I like to think of honesty as an answer to a question and vulnerability as posing a question to someone you trust. Regardless of the words, the question usually comes down to “having seen the real me, will you accept me as I am?”
This experience made me realize and embrace the power of vulnerability in my life. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open up the possibility for deeper connections and support from others. My friend's response to my vulnerability wasn't just comforting—it was a lifeline during a chaotic time. It’s a beautiful reminder that we don't have to carry our burdens alone and that it's okay to ask for help.
So, I challenge you to think about where you can bring more vulnerability into your life. Is there a friend or family member you can open up to about what's really going on with you? Can you take a moment to share your true feelings, even if it feels uncomfortable? Remember, it's in these moments of vulnerability that we find true connection, support and ultimately, love.
Thank you for being part of our Wellthy Mama community. Let's continue to support each other with honesty and vulnerability, creating a space where we can all be our true selves.
P.S. If you need any support in getting unstuck and carving out time for what matters most, let’s chat about how we can start creating a life you love!
Journal Prompts
Reflect: Take a few moments today to reflect on a recent experience where you could have been more vulnerable. What stopped you? How might things have been different if you had shared more openly?
Share: Consider reaching out to a trusted friend or family member this week and sharing something that's been on your mind. It doesn't have to be something big—just a small step towards being more open.
Connect: Join our next coworking session where we'll be discussing the power of vulnerability and how it can transform our relationships and lives. Stay tuned for details!
Let's embrace honesty and vulnerability together as we navigate the beautiful chaos of motherhood and life.
Cowork & Chill
Looking for a space to get stuff done while connecting with other amazing women? Join us for our exclusive virtual coworking sessions—Cowork & Chill!
Not only will you meet incredible go-getters, but you'll also accomplish your to-do list like never before. We open up the room 15 minutes early so you can get settled and ready to dive in. Plus, there's plenty of encouragement and good vibes to go around.
Trust us, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss! Reserve your spot, bring your favorite drink, and let's make magic happen together. Can't wait to see you there!