Another TED talk…https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability, but this one was one of the first few that I really got a lot of out. Here are the notes I took while watching:

• “Lean into the discomfort of the work”
• Connection-allow ourselves to be seen
• Sense of worthiness, fear that we’re not worthy of connection
• “Embrace vulnerability”
• Be authentic and real
• “Let ourselves be seen, deeply vulnerably seen”
• Call deep on my courage
• “Stories are data with a soul”

And here are my notes from her other TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame/transcript

• “Vulnerability is not weakness”
• “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change”
• “Shame is the swampland of the soul”
• Shame=I am bad. Guilt=I did something bad.
• “Shame is highly correlated with depression and aggression”
• “Shame is organized by gender” for men, don’t be weak, for women, be what others expect you to be, don’t let them see you sweat
• “Empathy is the antidote to shame”

Bottom line: I learned a lot from her about myself and how my mind works. I also became brave and began to share my story and struggle. And that has been the most powerful (and scary) step I’ve taken in my recovery so far. So watch the ted talks, or read her books, or just read this…but she has a no nonsense way of taking my muddled thoughts and turning them into strong forceful declarations. And I’m grateful…my words get muddled by emotion so it’s been especially helpful!