Our stories are not meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege… it’s a game-changer for how we think about vulnerability. It flips the script from oversharing to intentional, sacred connection.
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Meaning
This quote is about treating your personal stories and vulnerabilities as sacred, not casual. It’s about moving from indiscriminate sharing to discerning who has truly earned your trust.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen so many people, myself included early on, get this wrong. We either lock everything away, armoring up, or we swing the other way and just spill our guts to anyone who’ll listen. Both are forms of self-protection, ironically. What Brene’s really getting at here is the middle path.
It’s about understanding that your story, your real, messy, human story, is a valuable asset. It’s your emotional capital. And you don’t just invest that anywhere. You look for a return on that investment in the form of empathy, understanding, and support. When someone has earned the right, it means they’ve shown up for you. They’ve been a safe space. They’ve listened without trying to fix you. That’s the privilege. It completely reframes vulnerability from weakness to a conscious act of courage.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wisdom (385) |
| Topics | boundaries (30), trust (147), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | measured (7), philosophical (434) |
| Emotion / Mood | empowering (174), serious (155) |
| Overall Quote Score | 83 (302) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from Brene Brown’s work, specifically from her audiobook The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting, which came out in 2013. It’s a core tenet of her research on shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living. You sometimes see the sentiment floating around online without attribution, but the phrasing is pure Brene.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection (35) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Our stories are not meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege, and we should always ask ourselves who has earned the right to hear them |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2013; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1611801053; Last edition: 1st Edition (Sounds True, 2013). Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2013 edition, Chapter: Story Boundaries |