From Childlike Resilience to Adult Reflection: Embracing Vulnerability

As a child, I learned early on that life wasn’t always kind. Challenges seemed to sprout like weeds, often overwhelming me, yet somehow, I was built with resilience. It wasn’t a choice, it was a necessity. Every setback, every difficult experience, pushed me to dig deeper into my own strength. But as I grew, I realised that this strength, while powerful, could also be incredibly isolating.

I wore the badge of being the “go-to” person. Family and friends would and still do come to me for advice, and I am always there to lend a listening ear. It feels good to be needed, but I found myself struggling to ask for help in return. The very idea feels foreign, as if I expose a vulnerability I will no longer be loved. I am the one holding everyone else’s secrets, while mine feel too heavy to share.

As I transitioned into adulthood, this pattern has continued. I have floated through life, seemingly self-sufficient yet most of my life deeply lonely. I hold so many secrets close to my chest, afraid to let anyone in. It is easier to be the strong one, the one who can handle everything. But beneath the surface, I have always yearned for connection. I have always wanted someone to share the load with, to understand the chaos of my thoughts when silence engulfed me.

Now, I do have this, and as I reflect on these experiences, I recognise the importance of vulnerability. It’s okay to ask for help, to let others in. I’ve learned at the age of 43 that sharing my burdens can lighten the load, and allowing someone to see my true self is a gift, not just to them, but to me as well.

Resilience isn’t about enduring alone, it’s about finding the strength to be open, to trust, and to share. Each challenge has shaped me, but it’s the connections we build with others that enrich our lives and help us truly thrive.

As I continue on this journey, I embrace both my resilience and my desire for connection. I carry these lessons of my past, not as a weight, but as a foundation for a brighter, more connected future.

Life may have given me challenges, but it also gifted me the chance to grow and evolve and I realise it is time to stop floating solo and start truly living, hand in hand with those willing to share the journey.