Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if you want to live a wholehearted life. It’s the counterintuitive secret to real connection and courage, not a sign of weakness.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that true connection and a meaningful life are impossible without the courage to be seen, truly seen, with all your imperfections.
Explanation
Look, here’s the thing I’ve seen over and over. We’re wired to protect ourselves, to build walls. It feels safe. But that safety is an illusion—it’s a cage. Brené is saying that the very thing we’re afraid of, being vulnerable, is the absolute gateway to everything we actually want: love, belonging, joy, creativity.
It’s a risk because you might get hurt. Rejected. But the alternative? The alternative is a kind of quiet disconnection. It’s choosing to be a spectator in your own life. The risk of getting hurt is real, but the guarantee of feeling disconnected if you don’t? That’s a certainty.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wisdom (385) |
| Topics | risk (54), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | succinct (151) |
| Emotion / Mood | relaxed (10) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (179) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from Brené Brown’s 2010 book, The Gifts of Imperfection. It’s a cornerstone of her research on shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living. You won’t find it in her TED Talks verbatim, but the concept is the entire engine of her work.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfection (46) |
| 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 | Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781592858491; Last edition. Number of pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2010 Hazelden edition |