The courage to be weak
People are ashamed of being weak. They try to show that they are strong, and that’s why they feel so lonely. Because they’re left alone with their problems.
- Krzysztof Kieślowski
Drop your pride. Stop isolating yourself from others by refusing to reveal vulnerability. I’ve struggled with this for a long time, but I’m glad that I’m not anymore. It was a long, petrifying process, but I’ve made it through. The truth is, everyone carries something heavy. Some hide it better, some break in silence. But no one is truly without pain. And almost every struggle could be alleviated if we dared to ask for support. Fragility deserves compassion, not contempt. It is a sign of honesty, not failure.
Admitting weakness is like opening a door to a heavily guarded place full of important personal stuff. Inside, there are our fears, traumatic experiences, and insecurities we try to hide. And yes, letting someone in is risky. Depending on who comes through the doorway, they can either exploit what they find or help you throw away unnecessary baggage. We risk being judged, pitied, or dismissed, but that doesn’t mean that we should never allow anyone to see our struggles. Vulnerability is always a gamble, but isolation is a certainty of loneliness.
Shared joy is double the joy, shared sorrow is half the sorrow
We heal through connection, through shared humanity. Every time we speak honestly about our pain, we make space for others to do the same. Every time we allow someone to help, we remind them that they can ask for help too. Pretending to be unbreakable may keep us safe for a while, but it also builds walls so thick that you, too, won’t be able to climb out.
True strength is refusing to disappear behind pride. It’s the courage to say I can’t do this alone, and to mean it. Let yourself be seen. Let others in. Because the only way out of loneliness is through the door you dare to open.
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