The Power of Vulnerability: How Owning Your Story Sets You Free

Hey, what if I told you that your greatest strength lies in your vulnerability? I mean it—really think about that for a second. There is something incredibly powerful about owning your story, the good, the bad, and the messy in between. No one can use my past against me because I’ve already claimed it. Every part of my journey, from my proudest moments—like publishing a poetry book in undergrad or becoming a mother—to the ones that make me cringe—like that time I told off a little girl during Show and Tell—belongs to me. And I stand in my truth.

The thing about vulnerability is that it’s often misunderstood. People think opening up is a weakness, something others can exploit. And sure, some may try. But the moment you fully embrace who you are, flaws and all, no one can hold your past over your head. That’s where true power lies—in radical self-acceptance.

Choosing Happiness, Even When It’s Hard

Now, let’s talk about something else people tend to misunderstand: happiness. I smile—a lot. I always have, and for the longest time, I didn’t realize how much that smile could confuse people. Some assume it’s fake, that no one can genuinely be that happy all the time. But what they don’t realize is that my joy is a choice. Every single day, I wake up and decide that I will not let past pain or negativity dictate my present.

Does that mean I don’t struggle? Of course not. There are days when I have to fight through lingering sadness, mornings when I pray for the strength to make the day a good one for my children and me. But I refuse to let the weight of old wounds steal my ability to experience joy. Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring your pain; it means refusing to let it control you.

Reframing Negative Thoughts

Something I’ve learned through my background in psychology—and through my own personal growth—is that we can train our minds to work for us rather than against us. Negative thoughts will come. That’s just a fact of life. But the key is learning how to acknowledge them without letting them take root.

I’ll give you an example. Recently, I cut all my nails off after breaking two, and suddenly, I found myself feeling self-conscious. Every time someone looked at my hands, my mind whispered, They’re judging you. But instead of letting that thought fester, I caught it in the act. I acknowledged it and reminded myself, This thought isn’t serving me.

And here’s a little trick: whenever a negative thought creeps in, replace it with something that brings you joy. For me, that’s music. I’ll immediately start reciting the lyrics to a song that makes me feel good—one that I know word for word. It’s a simple practice, but it works. Over time, it retrains your brain to redirect negativity before it has a chance to settle in.

Owning Your Truth Sets You Free

At the end of the day, vulnerability isn’t about oversharing or seeking validation. It’s about standing confidently in your truth and knowing that your experiences—every last one of them—have shaped you into the person you are today. And that person? She’s worthy. She’s strong. She’s constantly evolving, healing, and growing.

So if you take anything from this, let it be this: own your story, embrace your journey, and don’t let anyone make you feel small for being real. Because the truth is, your openness and authenticity are what make you powerful.

And if no one else has told you today—girl, you are doing amazing. Keep shining, keep healing, and keep choosing joy.

Welcome to Girl, Come Sit With Me. Let’s grow together.