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The Importance of Being Vulnerable

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Jenn Zatopek

Last week, I decided to undertake a new project in addition to private practice, which is flexible and lucrative and has supportive management. It is also for a good cause and would allow me to pursue several dreams that are coming true for me, especially so for the next year.

But I have a confession to make to you: I experienced misgivings the moment I decided to take on something new.

Anxiety became my bedfellow and the inner family of voices in my mind clamored loudly, protesting the work duties and the upcoming challenge of balancing work and artistic endeavors. But I accepted that this is part of my physiology and that sometimes, I will experience fear.

Lately my posts have been deeply positive, and it is my goal to continue to focus on the good things I have in my life.  My gratitude practice has changed my thinking for the better. And my religious tradition calls me to do so and gives me ample sacred texts that encourage me to surrender my anxieties to the Divine who will give me peace.

However, the truth is that something happened on Monday that I feel compelled to share with you.

On Monday morning, I sat down to begin several hours of requisite online training on a national corporation website. I tried my best to navigate the difficult website with increasing frustration. I was alone in my home office and had no one to ask questions to, which only increased my anxiety.

This is the way of the modern world, isn’t it? We have computers to help us learn, but in so many ways, this form of training is deeply unsettling for those of us who are social creatures, who rely on talking things out with others to process information, which is absolutely normal for many people.

Because I didn’t understand how to interact with the tricky web interface, I called my husband for help, but then It happened. The thing that was coming that I dread. One of the most vulnerable things to do with another human being.

I broke down in loud sobs, my tears flowing. I couldn’t stop crying because I didn’t understand what to do and I keened. Because old lies reared up in my mind, shouting at me that I was not enough. The shame shimmered at the surface of things, even though I had done my best to keep it at bay.

Modeling vulnerability on this blog is one of my core values, even as I share my knowledge, experience, and hope as a clinician and writer. I do not want to be so over my own suffering that I stand as a paragon of fabulous behavior because like you, I am a glorious mix of brilliance, existential dread, overwhelming love, intense joy, and often paralyzing fear. It is part of being human.

The miracle of the story is that my husband heard me in my distress, offered to come home, and help me navigate the course, but the other miracle is that I said yes to his help. When he arrived, he hugged me and we sat down to tackle the difficult website.

We did so together as a team, collaborating.

Human beings are meant to be with other human beings. It is the way the Divine designed us, and tthe happiest and healthiest people I know have positive and uplifting interactions with others on a regular basis, whether that’s through friends or family, therapy, religious services, recovery groups, book clubs, or time with *safe friends. It allays the deep loneliness that lies at the heart of being human. It is why so many people gravitate toward a religious or spiritual practice because it helps us feel less alone.

What I discovered on Monday morning, in the midst of my tears were a multitude of things that rests on one key truth: I am a human. Not perfect. In need of help. Not someone who can figure all things out on her own but a person who needs to ask questions and who is worthy of asking for help and receiving it. A person who can do things well, who does do things well, both a beloved and beautiful person, just like you.

What I have found that helps me loosen my grip of fear is reaching out to someone else. Perhaps the next time you are in the midst of a crisis and you think to yourself “I don’t need anyone. I’ve got this,” my challenge for you is to risk vulnerability with *safe people and reach out to someone and ask for help. Whether that is for emotional support, a meal, a card, or something else: my challenge for you is to ask for help. All these little actions count towards creating a better world that is in the long and arduous process of deep transformation by the Divine, which, if you let God, includes yourself.

*Safe people are folks who do not yell, criticize, judge, or evaluate you negatively on an ongoing basis. They are people who allow you the freedom to be your whole self and cherish you for who you are, not just for what you do. They forgive easily and they love easily. And they are out there, and with time and patience, you will find them.

(Photo by Ambar Simpang on Unsplash)
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4 Comments

  • Reply Carolyn Goldsmith

    Your writing is amazing! You are doing a fabulous job at modelling healthy vulnerability for us all!

    December 13, 2018 at 10:42 am
    • Reply Jenn Zatopek

      Thank you, Carolyn, for always supporting my work! xx

      December 14, 2018 at 1:01 pm
  • Reply Taylor Heaton

    Love this post! Thanks for being so transparent.

    December 14, 2018 at 10:38 am
    • Reply Jenn Zatopek

      Thanks, lady! Honesty helps me thrive! xx

      December 14, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    Leave a Reply to Taylor Heaton Cancel Reply