Immaculate’s Reflection: Vulnerability

We live in a society where we try to run away from feelings of vulnerability because they are uncomfortable. But the YF curriculum is helping us discover that vulnerability is a source of courage and strength. YF helps us understand that embracing vulnerability can help improve our quality of life.  
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Many of us grow up not feeling comfortable sharing ourselves with people and letting them in. We do not want them to see our vulnerable states because we believe that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness, which is not true. We shy away from sharing our emotions, not only negative ones but positive ones, too. Even when good things happen in our lives, we sometimes don’t know how to share them. We might feel guilty about sharing them with other people because we are fearful and wonder if this good thing will last.

We are afraid of being vulnerable because then people will see the rawest, most authentic, unpolished parts of us and our journeys. But as humans, we desire to be seen, heard, understood, and connected with others. Yet, we are always trying to run away because, at the same time, we really don’t want to be ‘seen.’
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We refrain from sharing our emotions because we feel exposed and vulnerable when people come too close. But YF is helping us see that vulnerability is our source of strength and personal power, not a sign of weakness. It teaches us that vulnerability is uncomfortable because it means letting people into our real thoughts, feelings and aspects of our lives that we would rather keep to ourselves and deal with alone. Being vulnerable and speaking about our emotions does not mean we are weak; it just means we are living human experiences.  
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Take, for example, a teenager from a humble background who is not very proud of it. They might hide this, which could make them become withdrawn or feel isolated. But if they instead take this situation as a turning point and a motivator, they will grow and come out stronger and more confident on the other side. Many people who create an impact on their communities have similar stories. Experiencing tough situations, learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and leaning into vulnerability allow one to come out on top.
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The YF Kenya program teaches us to lean into the power of vulnerability to wield personal power and personal growth. In class, we see facilitators being vulnerable when they tell students that they do not have all the answers. In the past, it was completely unheard of for a teacher to tell students this. But now, students learn it’s okay not to know something and that it’s okay not to be perfect; you can learn through the process.  
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Through sessions, like Identifying Feelings & Emotions, Benefit Finding, and Problem-Solving, we learn how to deal with and manage difficult emotions by leaning into the uncomfortable instead of running from them. These YF sessions teach us to look at a difficult situation in a positive light, accepting the situation as it is, and how to grow from there. Apologies and Forgiveness help us reflect on where we might have been and are holding onto hurt, and how we can let go of it and heal. Assertive Communication encourages us to embrace our feelings and, with strength, communicate how we feel.  
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What we've observed is that fully embracing these difficult situations allows students to wield personal power and inner strength, allowing them to emerge stronger.
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YF is teaching us that vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, love and belonging, and authenticity. It is a place of growth; of learning about yourself, your limits, and your situation. When we open ourselves to vulnerability, we open ourselves to experiences that bring meaning to our lives.  
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Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness. Vulnerability is a source of courage and strength.