“Showing Up”

Do you show up in your life?

What does it mean to show up in your life? I watched a talk by Brene Brown yesterday and she states that the way to show up in your life, is to be vulnerable, take risks, and act with bravery in all aspects of your life.

I had a good think about it and about whether I ‘show up’ in my own life, and if I could do it better.

I realised that I’m actually quite good at “showing up”. I feel like, a big part of being vulnerable, and taking risks, in my life, happens when I simply tell the truth. And this is something I’ve done a lot of…. in the sense that whenever I do public speaking, at an event or on radio, I am open book and I bare all to the audience. I overcome the fear of ‘what people might think’ and risk it all, in the name of something bigger and more important. What I mean by this is, I take the risk, because I want to face my fears, and grow as a person, and I want to reduce stigma in society around mental health issues. I do this by showing the audience, that someone with a serious mental health diagnosis, can achieve as much as anyone else can. So yes, in the public speaking sense, I show up, consistently. And Brene Brown is correct, when she says that being vulnerable is a direct route, to experiencing joy. Some of the most amazing moments of my life, are directly linked to how vulnerable I allowed myself to be, and how much of a risk I have taken.

I have “shown up” in other aspects of my life too. Although probably not as much. I have been in love, and that in itself, is taking a risk. I have gone on dates and been honest about parts of myself that may or may not be seen as good. It’s a work in progress though…. It is a challenge to emotionally expose yourself…. It can feel very uncomfortable and unsafe. But I can tell you one thing I have learnt. That every time I have exposed myself emotionally, and allowed myself to vulnerable, and seen… something inherently good, and pure, and beautiful, comes from it. Although you can experience what Brene calls “a vulnerability hangover”, I swear that when that settles, you can see the gift or gifts in that vulnerable experience.

So I will continue to move forward, facing my fears (which I must say have gotten smaller and smaller, as I stretch myself and take more risks). And I will continue to follow my dreams (the goal posts have changed a lot though, which is super exciting). And I will continue to show up, as much as possible.

Don’t be afraid of vulnerability. It is absolutely the key, to deeper meaning in relationships, and joy in your life.

Be brave and take emotional risks!