What exactly does it mean to be vulnerable in a relationship?
If you search up the word vulnerability in the dictionary, the results aren't very promising. You'll encounter language like "capable of being wounded or hurt" or “susceptible to attacks.”
Nobody hates to be hurt or feel weak, especially in front of someone they care about.
The good news is that being vulnerable in front of your lover is not a weakness; rather, it will deepen your romantic bond.
Being vulnerable with a relationship means revealing your whole self, including your worries, dreams, and emotions. However, not everyone feels comfortable expressing vulnerability in relationships, which is why we're here to help!
Continue reading to learn how being vulnerable may benefit your relationship and six techniques to make it happen.
Why Is It Important to Show Vulnerability in Relationships?
Being entirely open and honest with your spouse or partner can be unsettling at first.
After all, you want your partners to see the best of you. You don't want them to know what keeps you awake at night or to highlight your vulnerabilities. However, there are numerous advantages to being vulnerable with your significant other.
Here are some examples of how vulnerability may build relationships.
Humanize Yourself
When we are in a relationship, we want the other person to perceive our greatest qualities. We want to appear totally flawless. Perfection is useful while filling out a job application, but not when attempting to connect with a romantic relationship.
Perfection is boring, impossible, and may only make your spouse feel horrible about themselves. On the other hand, being vulnerable makes you more relatable and "human" to your spouse.
Boost Partner Intimacy
closeness is a sexual and emotional tie shared with your partner, and true closeness requires vulnerability. Showing your vulnerable side to your spouse entails fully committing to them.
Strengthen Empathy
It's simple to empathize with someone's ideas, feelings, and difficulties when you know who they are at their core. The more willing partners are to share vulnerable situations, the greater their empathy for one another.
Embrace Your True Self
As you open up and connect with your spouse or partner, you begin to trust one another. Your significant other knows you'll always be honest with them, and you know he or she will never condemn your ideas or feelings, which can help you let go of some of your self-judgment.
Open up to True Love
As corny as that may sound, it's true! The barriers you've erected in your heart were intended to shield you from being wounded, but they're also blocking you from really loving and committing to someone new.
How to Show Vulnerability in Relationships
For some people, expressing vulnerability in relationships is awkward, emotional, and often downright uncomfortable. So how do you do it?[1] Here are some easy guidelines to help you learn how to open up and share your true self.
1. Take Baby Steps
You cannot learn to run until you learn to walk. Being vulnerable with your partner does not need you to divulge all of your insecurities straight away. Begin by discussing minor issues.
The more you practice opening up about small details, the simpler it will be to begin sharing larger aspects of your life with your partner.
2. Be Open About Your Struggles
If you're not someone who naturally expresses their emotions, be honest about it!
Tell your spouse that you struggle with vulnerability and tell them that your sentiments about it have nothing to do with who they are as a person.
Tell them you're working on it and beg for their patience as you take this trip together.
3. Get to the Root of Your Discomfort
If you're hesitant to open up to your spouse or partner, consider why. If you love and trust your spouse, why not take your relationship to the next level?
It's possible that you've been burnt before by a friend, romantic partner, or family member, and you're hesitant to trust someone new with your heart.
In any case, determining the source of your resistance to share can assist you in resolving previous issues.
4. Be Honest
We're frequently so caught up in what we believe our spouse wants us to be, especially at the start of a new relationship, that we forget that the person we truly are is also very amazing.
Practice being honest with your significant partner. When they ask for your opinion, share it. Don't avoid the question or give the response you believe they want to hear. Be uniquely you.
5. Ask for Help
If you're having trouble, don't be afraid to ask your spouse for help, a listening ear, or whatever you need right now.
The more open you are to asking for help, the easier it will be to voice your concerns, insecurities, and so on to your partner. As a result, you will improve your communication skills and emotional security.
If you're not sure how to ask for help, this article may be useful.
6. Practice Self-Love
The more you love yourself, the easier it will be to open up to others about your identity. You must be able to look in the mirror and admit, "I'm not perfect, and that's okay!"
This is not an overnight journey, but enjoying your excellent characteristics and accepting the ones that still need improvement can help you feel comfortable sharing your truths with the one you love.
The Bottom Line
The idea of being vulnerable in relationships may make you nervous at first, but the more you practice it, the more natural it will feel. By sharing your true thoughts and feelings with your partner, you may strengthen your connection, build trust, and develop empathy.
Reference
| [1] | Huffington Post: How To Be More Vulnerable In Your Relationship (Even If It Scares You) |
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