Thoughts on Vulnerability

There's a space outside of your problem and the solution called vulnerability, and I want to meet you there.

When you know someone going through a difficult time with anxiety or pain, it’s in your kind-hearted nature to want to take away their pain, and you do it with the utmost good intentions.

However, if we are to truly shift the conversation on mental health, we have to stop seeing someone with anxiety as broken and in need of fixing. We have to stop seeing people with anxiety as weak and incapable. We need to stop relating to people as who they are when they’re afraid.

Holding space for someone is vulnerable. There’s no pre-determined outcome. You may have to face some deep emotions that you are uncomfortable with yourself. You may be afraid to say the wrong thing or make a mistake.

You also may start to see a person’s beauty. You may also start to see what an incredible soul they have. You may start to see that who they are is intelligent, heartfelt and courageous.

This is the call forward – to be open to seeing the person they are at their greatest, not the fear. To lovingly and powerfully call people forward into who we can see them to be. That’s leadership, and that will change the face of mental health.

Love,

Kristin