The Power of Vulnerability

Written By Erica Neubert Campbell

I recently found myself in a coffee shop bathroom, taking off my shirt and swapping scars and tattoos with a woman I just met. She read my book and shared similar feelings about her mastectomy and recovery. That’s how connection happens. Once you open the floodgates of vulnerability, a wave of acceptance follows. You get to subconsciously say, “Me too,” in a way that begins a friendship.

If you are struggling with any issue today, I guarantee someone is out there wrestling with the same thing. They are hiding in plain sight. To find them, you have to do the scary thing: Tell the truth. Be open about your struggles, and you’ll be surprised who is waiting in the wings to support you.

Where can you be vulnerable and share a challenging part of your life? Go out on the limb and make the connection. There you will find the fruits of friendship. Be brave and find your tribe.

If you want to learn more about the power of vulnerability, watch the highly acclaimed TedTalk by Brene Brown.

Erica Neubert Campbell

Erica Neubert Campbell is a writer and longtime cancer advocate who speaks the “language of cancer” from multiple perspectives. Erica is a breast cancer survivor who lost her mom to the same disease. She is the leader of the Pinky Swear Foundation, which supports kids with cancer and their families. And she spent nearly three decades volunteering at Camp Fantastic, a summer camp for children with cancer.

Erica is the founder of the Laundry Knob Society blog, where she shares honest writing about life’s struggles. In her debut memoir, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted, Erica creates vulnerable and trusting spaces as a way to create a community of support.

Learn more at www.ericaneubertcampbell.com

https://www.ericaneubertcampbell.com
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