E03: How to deepen relationships

Your Uncommon Life

Humans require connection. We are hardwired to live with other human beings and to feel known by them. The way we live today tends to lack meaningful connection and forces us to be very intentional in order to build relationships. Therein lies the challenge. The more intentional we have to be, the more we open ourselves up to pain and rejection. How can you overcome this fear of rejection to become more vulnerable and increase your connection with others?
Hello everyone! I am so excited to talk about friendships and relationships today. Is there any greater gift in this world than the gift of connecting with others? I feel like a lot of content is geared toward work-life balance, home organization, child rearing, exercise, and more. These are all great things to talk about and some of them are easy, fast solutions you can put into place right away. But how often do you stop to think about how enriching a great friendship can be? It takes time, work, and courage, but its value lasts a lifetime. Today we are going to talk about how vulnerability plays a key role in human connection and how fear of rejection prevents us from the closeness we crave. We are also going to bust the myth that it’s too hard to make friends as an adult. I’m really passionate about this topic because it’s been so influential in my life as I shift my priorities from things like work to motherhood and being a more peaceful person.

I feel like vulnerability gets a bad reputation. After all, it is the state of being exposed and defenseless. In a survival situation, vulnerability can mean death. Fortunately, modern life is cushy and most of us are surviving just fine. If you have time to listen to this podcast, I doubt you’re also outrunning a bear. If you are, hats off to you. You’re an amazing multitasker! Vulnerability in human relationships also includes exposure and requires courage, but of a different kind. When we are vulnerable, we are open to pain and rejection. But we are also open to love, connection, creativity, and achievement. We have to figure out how to navigate the fear of rejection in order to be vulnerable and intentional in relationships.
My definition of vulnerability in the context of human relationships is: having the courage to be authentically yourself and having compassion for the imperfections of others....

To read this podcast transcript in its entirety, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/post/how-to-deepen-relationships

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