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Cayla Gador

Professor Pettay

ENG 111

11 January 2022

In Response to “Power of Vulnerability”

“Power of Vulnerability” very much reminded me of my own struggle of trying to be

“enough” for myself and enlightened me on true connectedness. While Brené Brown spoke of

her research on how people connect and life’s dependency on vulnerability, it made me reflect on

my own experiences with the topic. Last year, my parents separated. All throughout my

childhood, I didn’t think this moment would make me bat an eye. I had expected it to happen at

some point, but I hadn’t expected the situation to be the reason I would go to therapy in which I

truly had to be vulnerable. Vulnerability should not be considered “weak” by society, as being

vulnerable allows us to truly be human and connect with those around us.

In the academic field, vulnerability and the lack of control is considered a weakness.

Brown describes her own initial method of “beating it back with my measuring stick” and trying

to “outsmart vulnerability.” I initially tried a similar approach as well. I was always the “strong”

person in my family, and from society, strong people aren’t vulnerable. Since other people

already had this impression of me, I felt that if I seemed bothered by the situation then I would

be weak. In my own thoughts I knew I was upset about my family splitting up, and being aware

of that fact without feeling comfortable enough to show it only worsened my depression in the

long run.
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Like Brown, I always succeeded in the academic field and being vulnerable felt foreign

to me. Even though I always had all A’s before last year, my grades dropped dramatically. I kept

telling myself that it was simply laziness and I just needed to push through in order to be alright

again. As Brown describes this as “numbing the vulnerability” in her TED talk, I attempted to act

as if I was not sad. However, since I judged my worth based on my academic ability, my mental

health only declined further as I felt like I was not smart anymore. It was not until I attended

therapy that I truly allowed myself to be vulnerable.

Talking to my therapist felt like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. It didn’t feel like I

needed advice, simply reassurance based on my circumstances. I felt like I was able to connect

with my parents more, without even talking to them, just by allowing myself to be vulnerable

with my feelings. Brown’s line, “They were able to let go of who they thought they should be,”

resonated with me. I realized being vulnerable with someone and connecting with someone

based on experience is really a strength rather than a weakness. When the people Brown studied

allowed themselves to be vulnerable, they were able to connect with others and enjoy life. People

should be honest on how they feel in order to understand others and connect. Even though it is a

continuous struggle to allow myself to be vulnerable, I found it to be a true motivation to get

back on my feet. As Brené Brown says, “I’m just so grateful, because to feel this vulnerable

means I’m alive.”

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Works Cited

Brown, Brené. “Power of Vulnerability’” You Tube, 3 Jan. 2011,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0