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Vulnerable or Emotionally Honest?

Allison James HenryCertified Grief Recovery Specialist·
Vulnerable or Emotionally Honest?

Quick Answer

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“She was hysterical.”

“He fell apart.”

“She lost her composure.”

Do any of these sound familiar to you?

They are statements people use to describe someone that was crying.

Can you imagine using the same language to describe someone that was laughing?

Of course not!

No matter how many messages you hear saying different, tears are as normal as laughter!

Think about the young children in your life.  They probably laugh when they are happy and cry when they are unhappy, right? They have no problem showing whatever feelings they are having in the moment. That is their nature and it’s normal.

Another way people might make emotional honesty sound like a weakness is by using the word “vulnerable”.

According to the dictionary, vulnerable means, “Being susceptible to something bad..” or “Capable of being physically or emotionally wounded”.

Isn’t telling the truth about your emotional pain the exact opposite?

Being honest about your feelings is courageous! Telling the truth about your fears and pain makes you a leader. Doing so sets an example for your fellow man, your friends, family, and children. Not only does it empower you, but it empowers the people around you to do the same. It’s strength not weakness. Not only that, but being emotionally honest allows for deeper, more meaningful relationships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9qvyHRvW1c

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Allison James Henry

Certified Grief Recovery Specialist

Allison James Henry is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and content contributor for The Grief Recovery Institute, writing about evidence-based approaches to grief and loss recovery.

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