Sharing Secrets
Vulnerability and authenticity
I came to deduce that authenticity has to do with being oneself entirely, in writing as in life. ~ Christine Morris Ph.D.
You can read Christine’s piece about authenticity here.
It was one of those posts that stayed with me for days. I thought about how I’ve opened the doors of vulnerability and authenticity this year while writing about our experiences with Ben’s kidney failure and dialysis and our financial struggles. I thought back on my writings about my hospitalization in 2021 and subsequent digestion issues, my heartbreak and depression when my daughter and grandchildren moved away, and my grief after losing five pets.
I also thought about a Weeds & Wildflowers writing prompt a few years ago that I called Guilty Pleasures. Although more lighthearted, I shared that I love sappy Christmas movies on Lifetime and Hallmark, and I can’t get enough of the HGTV show Home Town.
One of my favorite Medium writers, who is a poster child for authenticity and vulnerability, is Jack Herlocker. He’s not afraid to be romantic or goofy in all his delicious nerdiness.
One of my favorite publications on Medium is Crow’s Feet because everyone shares authentic stories about growing older, and we all know aging is a touchy subject for most of us! It takes a lot of authenticity to write about age spots, frequent urination, balding, and fear of death.
I’ve shared more of myself here on Medium than I ever imagined I would or could. Could because sharing even silly guilty pleasures can make one feel embarrassed and exposed.
I think of my conversation with a co-worker in which I encouraged her to visit New York City someday. She wears 3-inch heels to work and said:
I’ll never visit New York City because I can’t walk all over the city wearing my heels, and I will never wear sneakers in the fashion capital of the United States.
She was so worried about how she’d look to strangers who wouldn’t be looking at her that she preferred to miss visiting one of the world’s greatest cities. Of course, she doesn’t wear those heels at home or grocery shopping, but she has a false image she will always protect even with strangers. She is not authentic, and she’s afraid of being vulnerable. Fortunately, she doesn’t write on Medium.
On that note, the Weeds & Wildflowers September prompt is Sharing Secrets. No, I don’t want you to air your dirty laundry. Really, don’t do that. I use the word secrets loosely. What can you tell us about you that we don’t already know — serious or silly?
I’ll start. First, serious. I don’t speak to any of my blood relatives. I’ve shared some individual stories but never made the statement that I’m estranged from all family — by choice. And, yes, I’ll share more details in response to the prompt.
We can also share lighthearted secrets. Mine? I’m a Swiftie. Not a card-carrying, friendship-bracelet-wearing, $2,000-a-concert-ticket Swiftie, but I listen to her music more than anyone else’s and can sing along with each of her songs — from her early country days to her current Midnights album. Many people in my “real” world don’t know this, and now, all of you do.
I got the ball rolling — now, it’s your turn! Stories, poetry, photography. Please use the topic tag Writing Prompt Response.
I chose one of my photos as our September banner because the bird on the pinnacle of a roof is a good example of vulnerability and courage. When we write authentically, it feels like standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down, and wondering where we’ll land.
Vulnerability is not weakness: it’s our most accurate measure of courage. ~ Brené Brown
I want to thank Janice Gill for our elegant July banner.
I’m also grateful to all who responded to our July prompt, Looking Up. Below are the responses.
Christine Morris Ph.D.: Looking Upwards
Penny Grubb: Want Things to Look Up? Then Look Up.
Janice Gill: August Writing Prompt: Looking Up
Anne Bonfert: Looking Up in Search for Blue Skies and Sunshine
chel writes: Looking up at the sky (and the scenery around)
Dennett: Looking UP — Birds in Trees and Looking UP — The Florida Moon
Thank you to each of you who writes for Weeds & Wildflowers and to everyone who reads what we write.
My final words of gratitude are for Louise Peacock, my friend and fellow editor, and for the love of my life, Ben — Captain Argentina, who knows my insecurities better than anyone and loves me despite them.
© Dennett 2023