It’s Safe To Struggle Here: 10/20
From the journal October 2020:
Today, I’m thinking about something that feels like a profound realization, something that feels both liberating and terrifying: letting others see you struggle is freedom! What a wild thought! For so long, I’d worn the mask of perfection, the facade that everything was neat and tidy, that I had it all figured out. But behind that mask, the truth was often a swirling chaos of emotions, doubts, and fears.
Why do we feel the need to hide our struggles? Why do we think that vulnerability equates to weakness? I’ve carried this belief that I must present a polished version of myself to the world, a version that never falters, never stumbles. But in doing so, I’ve missed out on one of life’s greatest gifts: the connection that comes from sharing our authentic selves.
Letting others see you struggle is freedom! It’s an act of bravery that slices through the illusion of perfection. When I think about it, I realize that some of the most beautiful moments of connection I’ve experienced have come from being open about my challenges. Those honest conversations, the shared laughter over our missteps, the tears shed in solidarity—these are the moments that bind us together. They remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, that there is strength in vulnerability.
Today, I want to embrace this freedom. I want to let down my guard, to acknowledge the moments when I’m floundering—whether it’s in my work, my relationships, or my own self-acceptance. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I want to voice it. If I’m unsure of my path, I want to share that uncertainty. Because in those moments, I am giving others permission to be real, too.
Imagine a world where we all felt safe to show our struggles without judgment! Picture the support we could offer one another, the empathy we could cultivate, the understanding that we’re all just trying to navigate this beautifully messy life together.
So, I’m making a commitment today to lean into this freedom. I’ll practice being open about my struggles, knowing that it’s okay to be a work in progress. I’ll remember that my imperfections do not define me; rather, they are part of the richness of my humanity.
In letting others see me struggle, I’m not just freeing myself; I’m inviting connection, compassion, and authenticity into my life and the lives of those around me. I’m inviting in the beauty of vulnerability, the strength found in shared struggles, and to the freedom that comes when we dare to be real.
