Humans are relational beings, and our desire to feel genuine, heartfelt connection with others is primal and innate. So, when we experience discord in this area of our lives, it can trigger emotions of not belonging, loneliness, and separation. As many of us do, you may seek to be understood and seen in your entirety yet still struggle with finding relationships where you can express your authentic self. This can be frustrating, but authenticity is a lifelong journey leading to deeper connections and personal growth.

Ask yourself if you live in your head rather than your heart. The pure love we seek in relationships begins within. The basis for empathy, which paves the way for authentic and vulnerable relationships, starts with finding empathy for yourself. By connecting deeply to our heart spaces, we open ourselves up to higher levels of expression that welcome our vulnerabilities. This means our guard is down, and we can show our true selves, fears, insecurities, and imperfections.

How can you invite more vulnerability in your life so that your relationships feel more intimate, authentic, and meaningful?  Below are some reflections and journal prompts that help you explore the real you free of fear.

Journaling is a personal and reflective practice, so feel free to modify these prompts or create your own based on what resonates with you.

• What are some fears or insecurities that I have trouble expressing?
• How do I typically react when I feel vulnerable or exposed?
• What are some strategies or techniques you can use to build emotional resilience while being vulnerable?
• How do you differentiate between healthy emotional vulnerability and oversharing?
• Reflect on a time when you allowed yourself to be vulnerable and how it positively impacted your connection with others or personal growth.

Being emotionally vulnerable will require some trust, trusting that the ones you’re being vulnerable with can receive you without judgment, and trusting you can handle and regulate your emotions even when you’re not. We can’t control the actions or feelings of others, but we can be responsible for our own. 

Here are five ways to put it into practice: 

• Self-reflection: Understand your emotions and vulnerabilities. Reflect on past experiences that have shaped and blocked your ability to be vulnerable.
• Trust: Build trust with those you want to be vulnerable with. Trust creates a safe space to express your true self without fear of judgment or rejection.
• Start small: Share small personal details about yourself and gradually increase the depth of your sharing as trust develops. This includes sharing dreams, fears, or insecurities.
• Active listening: Be present and attentive when others share their thoughts and feelings. Show empathy and validate their experiences. This promotes a reciprocal environment for vulnerability.
• Embrace discomfort: Vulnerability can be uncomfortable as it involves emotional risks. Embrace the discomfort and remind yourself that vulnerability is a sign of strength and authenticity.

As you explore your authenticity, know you are worthy and deserving of love and acceptance. Whatever you shed when embodying your most authentic self isn’t meant to stay. We have to fight the urge to conform to societal expectations and outside influences. It’s all about being true to ourselves and aligning our actions and words with our values and beliefs without pretense or facades.

Here are five journal prompts for exploring and embracing your authentic self:

• What are my core values and beliefs? How do they shape what I believe to be my identity?
• How do I feel when I am being true to myself? How does it differ from when I am not?
• What limiting beliefs or fears hold me back from expressing my authentic self? Where did I pick these beliefs up?
• How can I create a safe, supportive space to explore and express my emotions? Get as specific as possible!
• How can I align my actions and words with my authentic self?

Here are five ways to put it into practice: 

• Self-Reflection: Understand your values, beliefs, and passions. Reflect on your thoughts and emotions, and be honest about what truly matters to you.
• Be Mindful of Social Expectations: Break free from societal pressures. Make choices based on your true self, not seeking validation from others.
• Connect to your Intuition: When presented with a decision, drop into your heart and see how it feels in your body. Make decisions that feel right, even if they go against others’ expectations.
• Practice Self-Acceptance: Embrace your strengths, weaknesses, and imperfections. Being authentic means being human and learning from mistakes.
• Surround Yourself with Authentic People: Be with those who value authenticity and encourage you to be yourself. Authentic relationships provide a safe space to express your true self.

Ideally, we’ll always be learning about ourselves. This process and the continuous invitation to embody the truth of your BEING is the soul’s journey, and as you come into more love and self-acceptance, you will see the positive impact reflected back through your relationships, experiences, and manifestations.  When you are in your truth and authenticity, the universe approvingly responds by providing more ease, flow, and grace into your reality.