It’s such a fine balance to save face while being our most authentic selves. Sometimes, I find myself wanting to appear as though all is well, yet I recognize the value in expressing my vulnerabilities—not just for my own benefit but to encourage others to feel safe doing the same.

There is immense relief in relating to other human beings about the difficulties and challenges of being human. Especially in professional settings, there can be a toxic expectation always to be “on,” exuding confidence and competence. While “fake it till you make it” approaches can have their benefits, we must prioritize validating our own thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and needs at any given moment.

If we continuously refuse to remove the mask of impenetrable confidence and admit that there are weeks, days, or moments when we are not okay, we weaken the opportunity for shared connection. We miss promoting the truth that it is safe and normal to feel flawed, fearful, weak, or small in our existence.

How will you embrace your vulnerabilities today?