#0042 Celebrate vulnerability: From wannabe to authentic creative

Courageously Shift Your Mindset

Recently, I learned one of the ASL signs for “vulnerability” depicts a person literally weak in the knees. Equating weakness with vulnerability isn’t new, of course. In the 1939 Wizard of Oz film, the Cowardly Lion shows he’s vulnerable with weak-kneed slapstick. 

We guffaw aloud at the Lion and secretly exhale because it’s not us revealing our own vulnerability. Because our society, dating back many decades (centuries?), teaches us to show to the world how strong we are. (For an exercise to unearth societal roots of your creative imposter syndrome, see last week’s post, #0041.)

Ah, look at the weak Cowardly Lion showing his vulnerability. Or is he courageous when he shares his authentic, vulnerable self? (Source: Photo by James Vaughan on flickr)

Strength is vaunted; vulnerability, cast aside.

However, some of the best bursts of creativity come when we tap into vulnerable moments and express our tender hearts. Yet if we conform to society’s dictates to flaunt only our strong selves, we won’t ever share our creative self-expressions that reveal our vulnerabilities.

I can hear you starting to get a mite frustrated with me.
Q from you: Must I upend these societal norms?
A from me: Seems kinda big and heavy. Abstract, even?
Q: But if I don’t rebel, must I hide my vulnerability?
A: Doesn’t vibe with the whole “from wannabe to authentic creative” throughline (#0040)…
Q: Okay, then, so how do I reconcile this seeming contradiction of strength vs. vulnerability?
A: Good question! 

Turns out, we need to be strong enough to courageously celebrate our vulnerability.

Face Your Imposter Syndrome

Before you begin this exercise, take a few slow, even, long, and full (SELF) breaths to settle your mind and body.

• Name what your creative imposter syndrome claims — perhaps “You’re not an authentic writer, just a wannabe” — that makes you feel vulnerable.

• Set your intention to examine this vulnerability with courageous resolve.

• Consider the risks of getting close to the vulnerability.

• Contemplate the rewards of understanding the vulnerability.

Pause here to weigh whether there are more rewards than risks. If examining the vulnerability feels too risky to you, watch this 3-minute video where researcher and bestselling author Brené Brown discusses The Biggest Myth About Vulnerability. Then proceed.

• Examine with courage your creative imposter syndrome’s claim you’re “just a wannabe” writer.

• Question if this claim is really 100 percent true.

Pause here to check in with how you feel in your body. Calm, cool, and collected? Grand! Maybe your inner strength gives you the courage to now see that the wannabe claim is false. 

If you’re anxious or have a fight, flight, freeze response (#0017), again take a few SELF breaths to reset your mind and body. After about 90 seconds, proceed.

• Flip the claim: “You’re an authentic writer, not just a wannabe.” 

• Ask yourself if, by changing up the syntax, you can now see that the original wannabe claim is false.

Even if you’ve not quite negated the wannabe claim, celebrate! It takes courage to face your imposter syndrome. 

(Adapted from Greater Good in Education’s Adult Vulnerable and Courage Practice.)

Let go of society’s simplistic “vulnerable = weak” equation. And as you continue to shift your mindset, revel in the courage you have to celebrate vulnerability wherever it shows up in your creative life. 

If you keep rejecting yourself, you won’t have the chance to stack up 100 Rejections as you pursue your creative dreams.

Next time: Consider yourself a best friend