Early in their relationship, Jordan felt she needed to share a painful part of her past with her partner, Quinn.
Sitting on a patio one sunny afternoon with a bottle of wine between them, Jordan shared in a shaky voice about an upsetting experience in her teens. She knew she had to share this story for their relationship to move forward honestly and authentically.
Quinn responded lovingly, and their relationship immediately grew closer. Jordan knew she could trust Quinn with her most vulnerable self.
What the research says
At her core, Jordan knew what Dr. Brene Brown writes about vulnerability: “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”
You’ve got it! Vulnerability is the secret to long-lasting love.
April Eldemire, LMFT, writes about Three Reasons to Be Vulnerable in Your Relationship:
Vulnerability improves your relationship with yourself. It took great courage for Jordan to share this deeply personal experience with Quinn. Each time you are vulnerable, you can heal yourself and boost your resilience.
Vulnerability helps establish trust with your partner. Vulnerability is not just about sharing difficult memories. Perhaps it’s a simple fear, a recent experience that unsettled you, or your long-term dream for your life. Any time you share something personal, you establish mutual trust and caring.
Vulnerability strengthens your bond. Quinn’s unconditional love and support bolstered their relationship. That afternoon on the patio took their relationship to a new level, transcending surface-level small talk.
Key takeaways
A brave willingness to be vulnerable, combined with your partner’s absolute support and respect, is critical for any strong, long-lasting relationship…whether it’s a friendship or romantic partnership. Let’s dive in and get vulnerable!
“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
-Dr. Brene Brown
