On Vulnerability: The strengths, intentionality, and living authentic

I was sitting in bed this evening (2/27/25) flipping through my college writing and college literature portfolio from my senior year of high school as I've been toying with the idea of sharing some of the papers that I've written. 

At the beginning of the portfolio is a message my dad wrote (per a requirement for my final grade). Some of Tom's wise words stuck out to me. 

"Being willing to be vulnerable and to accept and internalize criticism are critical life skills. Being comfortable in oneself is a good start towards success. Owning your own flaws and shortcomings - while striving to improve - is the best armor to safeguard from the attacks of the uncouth and uncultured bullies of the world. Please continue with unpleasant but helpful criticism and uncomfortable sharing. Few people get to live a comfortable life - the sooner we learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable the better our chance for success."

I've been going through some life changes lately that have really put me at a loss for words. I'm not sure how I want to express myself and what that looks like. For a bit, I considered going quiet, making myself small. 

However, that wouldn't be living authentically to who I am as a person. My dads words reminded me of this. It is an integral and beautiful part of who I am that I am so vulnerable and so brave. Either way, I'm going to have life struggles- whether I share in that or go silent. But a huge part of who I am is in sharing this. My vulnerability is a strength. To be vulnerable is to be comfortable in my own self and to work towards others being comfortable, too. It is removing shame and stigma, it is hoping my words might resonate well with someone. My ability to see my less than stellar qualities and work to improve upon them, and share my growth with others is a miraculous thing. Someone will read my words and have an "aha!" moment and that's really what this is all about (and the healing it does for me, too). I hope my words help someone survive.

I want to continue to share. I will continue to share. Just also going to take more time to be intentional and mindful of what I share and how. I don't want to give ammunition to those who seek to see my downfall. BUT I will be brave and I will continue to live authentically to who I am.

I hope you do, too. I hope you find what living authentically means to you and that you embody it. 

I'm wishing you, dear reader, all of the best. I love you.

Joleigh June

Also, to note. I can't control how people perceive what I share but I can be more thoughtful about what I share- attempt on my end to share things in the most thoughtful and intentional way to cultivate the best of things. BUT. I also won't put too much pressure on myself to be perfect- that's unfair and a stressor to myself. I will do my best but please allow grace, I'm a fallible human being just like you:) Even with the best of intentions everyone has their own ways that they have been hurt before or their own things they are not ready/in the right space to heal/confront. I can't promise I'll never unintentionally cause any pain with what I share but I can promise to do my damndest to be intentional, thoughtful, and know that it's coming from a place of good things not negative. Besides having grace for me, I also ask you to check yourself and take a step back if anything I'm sharing causes you pain. Take care of yourself, that's the most important thing.