This article is an excerpt from a past monthly letter. If you enjoy this kind of grounding support, sign up to receive the monthly coaching package: it includes an article like this one, journaling prompts, creative practices, spiritual rituals and supportive tools to help you navigate your rebellious path as an artist or creative entrepreneur.

“Be vulnerable with your community” seems to be the latest trendy advice thrown out in the entrepreneurial world. And while I do not believe in sharing that kind of blanket statement, there’s some truth behind it. Vulnerability is meant to be shared.

But before we dive into this, let’s shed light on some much needed context, shall we? Applying this kind of advice blindly is how we can cause harm not only to ourselves, but to others. As always, as you’re reading this letter, I encourage you to check in with yourself and practice discernment— Am I available for this? What part of it feels true to me? How can I apply it in a way that best honours who I am?

I question everything. That’s what helps me uncover insights with clients and feed my own creative mind (...but also overthink and be an annoying life partner at times). Let’s get to the core of the what, why and when when it comes to vulnerably sharing our creative work.

Simply put, being vulnerable is when we choose to soften our grip on control and emotionally expose ourselves. We lift the veil on our shadows, differences and imperfections, while accepting there could also be pain linked to that exposure. Ask yourself: Is that how you would define it? How does it feel for you?

So, what possible good reason could there be to even consider doing that? Daring to share the raw and tender parts of ourselves and our story allows us to build resilience and connection— key ingredients to a healthy creative mind.

Resilience— Embracing who we are, what we need and how we’re feeling allows us to become braver, stronger and more empowered. Vulnerability is a sign of courage— we’re taking a risk without knowing the outcome. We’re letting ourselves be seen in our rawness and learning to stand up for ourselves.

Connection— Sharing our vulnerability connects us to our humanity. As humans, we’re inherently imperfect, and it’s this very imperfection that allows us to relate to one another. Revealing ourselves in a true and honest way strengthens our relationships— with ourselves and others.

While part of letting ourselves be seen in our vulnerability requires us to embrace a certain dose of discomfort, it is important to remind ourselves that we don’t have to be vulnerable with everything nor with everyone. You get to decide what part feels safe enough to share, and who you feel safe enough to share it with, while making sure you have a loving support system in place. Most times, sharing our rawness will feel scary— that's why it should be shared in safe places.

Often, when we experience the discomfort that comes with vulnerability— feeling exposed, naked to the bones— we believe we need to hide our shadows. Only, it’s our light that we’re hiding and we can no longer connect. Underneath this instinct may lie the belief that our difference, imperfections and truth are a threat to our belonging, safety and connection, when it might actually be what fosters it.

Vulnerability mends the splitting of self by holding space for the before and after of any transformation. What transformation are you undergoing? What part of it do you feel available and open to share, so that you can unlock more resilience and connection?

In the context of our creative work, lifting the veil on the Pupa stage of our vision is what fosters the connection we need to actually bring it to life with more colours, depths and textures.. After all, art is actually an act of co-creating — with spirit and the universe, with nature and the muse, with the collective. Connection is the oxygen of art. It cannot be created in a vacuum.

We cannot remain hidden in the tenderness of our learning experience, secluded in the messiness of the creative process, and hope to share our best work.

Our best creative work needs our vulnerability to truly thrive. Creativity feeds on the magic that happens when we dare to lift the veil and share the raw truth— art speaks to the heart, and it can only do so when we allow ourselves to open up ours.

Explore

Journal prompts to explore vulnerability

Be gentle with yourself as you unravel these stories. Take breaks, find ways to self-soothe and allow yourself to explore only what serves you (all while knowing that sometimes we may feel the most resistance towards the most important thing we need to investigate).

This month, I’m offering a challenge for you— to be vulnerable with yourself, first. There may be many parts of you hiding from the external world, and many parts of you that are still unknown to you— perhaps feeling unsafe to be seen, even by your own eyes. Before you explore these prompts, look for that sacred space within— a safe place to be with yourself. Gently ask any judgmental or critical parts of you to leave. Scan your mind, body and heart to see if you need anything to make this exploration feel good, and lovingly tend to it.

+ How does vulnerability feel for you? Where can you feel it in your body?

+ What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

+ What's the biggest mistake you've ever made?

+ What may be your biggest insecurity?

+ What would be the worst way someone could perceive you?

+ What's the biggest misconception about you?

+ What’s an untruth you’ve been telling yourself? It might not be a complete lie, but it’s also not the ultimate truth.

+ What part of your truth may you be covering with lies or untruth?

+ How does it feel to be vulnerable with yourself? What's beautiful about it?

+ If your heart feels tender, how can you tend to that need?

CARE

This journaling practice might have shed light on some interesting insights, and some more painful things to look at. Let's take a moment to self-soothe by writing our own EFT script.

Even though I feel _______ right now, I deeply love and accept myself.

Even though I am scared that ______, I deeply love and accept myself.

Maybe _____.

I am open to ______.

I can _____.

An example: Even though I feel raw and vulnerable right now, I deeply love and accept myself. Even though I am scared that by sharing my truth I may be rejected, I deeply love and accept myself. Maybe there’s a different way I could see it. Maybe opening my heart and sharing my truth is what allows deeper connection. I am open to sharing vulnerability with the people I feel safe with. I can foster deeper connections by sharing my own truth.