The power of vulnerability
In today’s fast-paced world, being “strong” is often celebrated as a virtue. From a young age, we are taught that strength means enduring hardships silently, carrying burdens alone, and never showing weakness. We admire those who “take it all in stride”, rarely complain, and appear unshakable. But equating strength with silent endurance can be misleading - and even harmful.
Sometimes, being strong makes us harsh towards ourselves and towards others. Take Asha, a working mother of two. She wakes up at 5 am, manages the household, and heads to work. Outwardly composed, inwardly she feels exhausted, overwhelmed, and lonely. She hesitates to share her struggles, thinking it is her duty to manage everything. Over time, this silent pressure manifests as chronic headaches, irritability, and tension in her relationships. Despite her best intentions, the very act of appearing strong begins to chip away at her emotional and physical well-being.
It is important to recognise that not all humans are the same. Some process stress naturally, while others struggle silently. Raj, for example, started a small business while caring for his ailing father. He set aside weekly time to reflect, journal, and speak openly with a mentor. This conscious processing helped him manage stress without harming his relationships or health. Similarly, Anjali, a teacher caring for her elderly mother, found that sharing her daily challenges with a colleague allowed her to vent frustrations safely. This small step prevented emotional exhaustion from building up into resentment or burnout. For many, unaddressed struggles quietly accumulate as internal wounds - real, potent, and invisible. Neha, a college student preparing for competitive exams, constantly pushes herself but never shares her anxieties. Over time, her fear of failure affects her sleep, appetite, and confidence. Without expressing these emotions, she begins to withdraw socially, feeling isolated even in a room full of peers. Over months and years, these hidden pressures can manifest in irritability, tension, or physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or digestive issues. Silent endurance often masquerades as strength, but in reality, it quietly erodes resilience.
These internal wounds eventually surface in ways that affect relationships, work, and overall well-being. A person carrying years of unspoken pain may struggle to trust others, react harshly over minor conflicts, or feel lonely despite being surrounded by people. In striving to appear strong, we inadvertently weaken our own capacity to cope. True strength, contrary to popular belief, is not silent endurance. It is the courage to acknowledge struggles and share them with someone trustworthy — without burdening others, but with empathy and care. This could be a close friend, family member, or a trained professional such as a therapist or counsellor. The key is trust: the confidence that you can be fully seen without ridicule or dismissal.
Sharing struggles consciously transforms us. Sameer, a software engineer, carried anxiety about his job performance for months. When he finally opened up to his mentor, he experienced relief and received practical guidance. Emotional pain begins to lose its grip when it is acknowledged and addressed. Talking about feelings allows us to process them, understand their origin, and integrate the lessons they offer. Vulnerability becomes a vehicle for healing, not a sign of weakness.
Healing requires more than speaking — it involves reflection, self-compassion, and sometimes structured practices such as journalling, nature walking, meditation, or mindful movement. Pausing to recognise emotions helps untangle complex patterns that shape behaviour and reactions. Self-awareness, combined with intentional expression, lays the foundation for lasting emotional health.
Sharing with care also strengthens relationships. Priya shared her stress with her partner without blaming him. Their openness deepened their bond, allowing him to support her rather than feel attacked. Similarly, for children or teenagers, creating a safe space where they can express fears and frustrations without judgement builds resilience and emotional literacy. Vulnerability, when approached mindfully, heals both the self and relationships.
Transitioning from silent endurance to conscious vulnerability is not always easy. Many of us are conditioned to believe self-reliance is strength. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable or even shameful at first. It may require courage to admit being overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid. But courage — the courage to be seen as
you truly are — is a profound act of strength. It signals a commitment to growth, well-being, and authenticity. Life’s challenges are inevitable. Struggles, setbacks, and losses are part of the human experience. What distinguishes those who thrive is not the absence of difficulty, but the presence of emotional awareness, empathy, and self-care. Strength rooted in vulnerability helps us navigate hardships with grace, recover from pain without lingering resentment, and approach life with both compassion and clarity. True strength is not defined by the weight we carry silently, but by the courage with which we confront our inner world.
In daily life, this begins with small, deliberate steps — acknowledging emotions honestly, writing them in a journal, or sharing them with someone we trust. Mindful practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle movement help release tension, restore balance, and bring clarity to our thoughts. Observing emotional patterns allows us to notice when fear, pride, or habit prevents us from expressing our truth, and gently encourages us to respond with awareness rather than avoidance.
Being strong does not mean enduring struggles alone. It means recognising emotional burdens as a natural part of life and seeking support when needed. True resilience arises when we face our inner struggles consciously, process them with care, and share them safely. Suppressed emotions, when left unspoken, do not simply fade — they accumulate quietly, manifesting over time in fractured relationships, poor health, and a sense of inner disconnection.
This is why vulnerability is not weakness, but wisdom. It is the courage to feel deeply, to communicate honestly, and to heal authentically. Yet there is a grave reminder: the cost of repeated silence is steep, often paid quietly in pain and regret. Real strength, therefore, lies not in endurance alone, but in the bravery to embrace our emotions fully and allow ourselves to be seen. In the end, the path to lasting resilience and profound healing is paved with vulnerability.
The writer is a nutritionist, counsellor, and wellness coach; views are personal
