Ep 38 – Embracing Vulnerability

It is hard to open up about our deepest feelings, emotions, and struggles. In this episode, we speak about embracing vulnerability, with Prakash Radhakrishnan from ‘This is Me’ – an award-winning documentary that opened up conversations about Mental Health, Caregiving, & Disabilities.

Prakash Radhakrishnan, the founder of This is Me, after going through a challenging surgery, decided to enquire about organizations that support those with special needs in the absence of a primary caregiver. His inquiries led to an interesting turn as he realized the void for such institutions supporting caregivers in the Asian community. He started This Is Me to break the taboo in society and help people have open conversations to express their feelings and receive emotional support. 

Key Takeaways

• We need to take out time out of our busy lives to delve into our minds and gather our thoughts and feelings to analyze them.
• You do not have to be a writer to express yourself.
• When we don’t share our emotions or express ourselves, we build steam within us like a pressure cooker. When maintained at unhealthy levels, the pressure could pop when it is most important for one to stay calm.
• We need to stop asking a lot of ‘What if’ questions and just take a step forward, to not let them drag us down or stop us from doing something for ourselves.
• When others feel the love in a secured space, it’s easier for them to open up too and talk about their own feelings.
• Do not let the societal norms stop you from having the conversations that are essential to your well-being.
• Everyone has different ideas, experiences, and feelings and the way they portray them are different as well. Hence, we need to hear them out with an open mind, without any judgment.
• Don’t focus on the destination, enjoy and embrace the journey because it is in the journey where all the growth happens.
• It is absolutely okay to be vulnerable, at any age.
• As listeners, you don’t need to offer answers or provide solutions. As the person starts to talk about their issues, their thoughts become clearer and they find answers themselves. 

Best Moments

“When we show vulnerability, it also does have an equally profound impact on others.”

“There is a fine line between embracing vulnerability authentically and embracing it just for the sake of it, to maybe get what you want.”

“Vulnerability will be awkward in the beginning. The conversations might be in spurts as both of you get comfortable having such discussions. But once you get past it, you will reach a stage of smooth and free-flowing conversations”

Being vulnerable is a beautiful way to build and engage in meaningful connections. It is fundamental to who we are. Let your guard down and open up. You’ll be surprised by how liberating it feels to be yourself and express your innermost thoughts, emotions, and fears. 

Have more questions for Prakash? Drop them in the comments section below