Have you ever put yourself out there, or shared something really personal and then instantly felt exposed, and regretful, and maybe even a little sick?  Yeah….that’s called a Vulnerability Hangover. And even though I share my stories often….I still go through this nearly every time I share.

The irony of being vulnerable, is that when YOU are the one being vulnerable it makes you feel small, and scared….but vulnerability serves a purpose.  Brene Brown (if you haven’t watched her Tedx talk yet go do it right now. Her work changed my life in so many positive ways) says, “vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage.”

I one time heard Roman Krznaric say, “We live in a culture where making yourself vulnerable – exposing your fears and uncertainties, taking emotional risks – is considered a form of weakness, and something most of us want to run away from. But Brené’s research reveals the hugely positive outcomes that emerge from stepping into the arena of vulnerability. It is precisely when we expose ourselves – perhaps in a relationship or at work – that ‘we have experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives’.”

In last week’s podcast about my mom, I shared a lot of things I haven’t really talked about publicly before.  I still kept parts of the story out that I felt like weren’t necessarily my story to tell, but I shared my experience of how I grew up through my own lens.  As soon as the podcast went live, I started almost instantly feeling like I was standing naked on stage. Like my story was out there for everyone to see and judge.  I handled some of it well, and some of it...not so well. I talk about the aftermath of sharing in today’s podcast, and give a few tips for how to handle a vulnerability hangover when you go through it too.

At the end of the day, I am glad I shared.  Just like Brene Brown says, “when you own your story, that story no longer has power over you.”  I’ll probably never quit sharing my stories. It’s just a part of who I am. The less shame I have around my stories and my past, the more I have been able to live wholeheartedly, and frankly just be a happier person.   xo - Natalie