Opinion by Christie William: THE ART OF VULNERABILITY

Basically, vulnerability is being honest, open and unfiltered about yourself, in this case, emotions.

Society has told us that if you talk about your feelings, you are automatically weak.

It is especially brutal for men to do so because they are told that they are men and are supposed to be strong while putting up defensive walls that nothing must penetrate because then, they’ll be weak and if they are weak, they are not men.

“Guy, you be man o. Why you dey talk like woman?”

“Are you a child? Can’t you deal with your issues without being emotional?”

“See, guy, you can’t be emotional na. Abi are you on your period?”

What is their response? To lock up and be a tough “man”.

Women nko?

“You too dey cry.”

“Are you on your period?”

“Women are so sensitive and weak minded.”

Both genders have bullied and manipulated themselves into choking on anything feely feely or emotional because they can’t be a crybaby, even if they are not crying.

You’re told to forget emotions and use logic, but logic isn’t always right.

But what I think is this. Vulnerability is not weakness.

Vulnerability is strength.

Vulnerability strengthens relationships and connections. If you don’t know what your partner or friend is feeling and how you can help, how do you think things will work out?

Vulnerability also builds personal growth and helps develop self awareness.

With these come happiness, peace and connection.

Keeping emotion in often leads to self destruction which can include suicide, depression and loneliness.

Now, we don’t want any of those, do we?

Note: Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of News360 Nigeria.