With so much talk about authenticity and vulnerability, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable with the concept. You might think you’re being yourself just by living, but there’s a bit more to it. These life lessons from Brené Brown offer helpful insight into living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Many people are uncomfortable with being vulnerable, especially at work, school, or in social situations. However, it opens you up to so many possibilities because it leads to being authentic. It involves being self-aware and willing to change detrimental behaviors.
While the concepts can be intimidating to think about, it might help if you understand why you should live this way. Knowing the reasons will give you motivation and determination to hone in on being authentic, vulnerable, and self-aware.
Brené Brown can give you the answers you need while also giving you confidence in your ability to embrace life. Her honest quotes can help you make beneficial changes in your life, allowing you to improve all aspects. Advice from Brené Brown will help you live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Who is Brené Brown?
Brené Brown is a bestselling author, researcher, storyteller, and professor of social work at the University of Houston. She studies shame, courage, empathy, and vulnerability, and often speaks about being authentic.
Brené Brown was named the more influential woman in 2009 in the Houston Woman Magazine. Additionally, she’s received teaching awards related to her achievements in Social Work.
Brené Brown believes that strength comes from being vulnerable and encourages people to choose “courage over comfort.” She prioritizes gratitude during the life journey because it leads to the vulnerability you need.
Fifteen Life Lessons from Brené Brown
Brené Brown’s lessons will help you see how to improve your life and live fully. These inspiring quotes will help you make changes that lead to being a better version of yourself.
1. “What’s the greater risk? Letting go of what people think – or letting go of how I feel, what I believe, and who I am?”
This quote teaches that you should never let go of your values so that others don’t think less of you. It might seem easier to go along with what other people want, but it’s not. As Brown explains, the bigger risk is letting go of how you feel and who you are.
2. “Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands.”
Another of the valuable life lessons from Brené Brown is that people watching you live your life can’t dictate your worthiness. They are simply observers, not active participants, and their opinion doesn’t matter. Don’t weigh yourself against the standards of others, especially not the ones who sit back and watch.
3. “Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help.” The truth is that we are both.”
You must remember that you can give help and ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you less successful. If you never hesitate to help others but won’t ask when you need something, it’s time to make a change. As Brené Brown explains, everyone who offers help needs help at some point.
4. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
This lesson tells you that being vulnerable can help you tap into your innovation and creativity. You can’t change your life if you’re unwilling to be vulnerable sometimes. Without being yourself, you can’t find the things that will bring about positive change or growth.
5. “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
This quote teaches you that you must be active in your life rather than watching and trying to earn worthiness. You are already worthy just as you are, so get out there and live your life. Do the things you want and need, and the rest falls into place.
6. “Just because someone isn’t willing or able to love us, it doesn’t mean that we are unlovable.”
It’s essential to learn that you will come across people who can’t love you, and it’s okay. If someone can’t love you as you are, it doesn’t mean that you’re unlovable.
Instead, it shows that you haven’t found the right person for you. Don’t beat yourself up or blame yourself for what went wrong. It’s not your fault, and you’re worthy of finding someone who can love you.
7. “Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”
This quote offers the lesson that you must let go of the idea of perfectionism. If you strive for perfection, you’ll never be happy with your accomplishments or progress. Many people believe that perfectionism can eliminate shame, judgment, and blame, but that’s not the case.
Striving for perfection exacerbates those negative feelings, causing you to feel even worse about yourself. You’ll constantly seek control and place blame, trying to reach the level of perfection you’re looking for. Instead, be authentic, embracing your flaws and shortcomings along the way.
8. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”
Another lesson from Brené Brown is that practicing gratitude makes you happy. Looking for happiness from an external source won’t get you there. You must reflect and think about all the good in your life before finding happiness.
9. “Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’”
This quote reminds you that empathy looks different for everyone. If you or someone in your life doesn’t show empathy the same way other people do, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Empathy is about connection, being physically present, and listening without judgment. As long as someone doesn’t leave a grieving person alone, they’re being empathetic.
10. “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”
This lesson reminds you to prioritize healthy relationships. Humans need connection and to feel loved, seen, and connected. When you think about all the things you do and the joyous parts of your life, they often involve connection. Even people who love alone time need human interaction sometimes.
Think about what gives life meaning because that’s what will help you find connection and purpose. Some of the relationships you should focus on include:
- Family
- Friendships
- Romantic
- Work
- Education and learning
If you have people to connect with in every area of your life, you’ll always feel like you belong. Getting to know others improves life, making it more meaningful and fulfilling.
11. “We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.”
When you feel lonely or need some help, don’t be afraid to reach out. As Brené Brown puts it, you aren’t meant to be alone. This lesson doesn’t mean you need a romantic relationship, but you must have someone you can connect to.
12. “A crisis highlights all of our fault lines. We can pretend that we have nothing to learn, or we can take this opportunity to own the truth and make a better future for ourselves and others.”
This lesson reminds you to recognize your faults, allowing you to do better. If you ignore your faults, you’ll never find growth and improvement. There’s always something new to learn or improve on, so never miss an opportunity for development.
13. “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”
This quote teaches that you must choose to be authentic every day. Every choice you make contributes to your sense of authenticity. This situation happens when you stop apologizing for being who you are.
Accept yourself and all the things that make you different. You won’t thrive in the same situation as someone else, and that’s okay because it makes you unique. Be proud of yourself, embrace your strengths, and know that it’s okay to be who you are.
14. “The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”
Remember that when darkness comes, the light will return. Let the dark times highlight the good in your life rather than living in fear or rumination.
15. “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.”
This life lesson teaches you to choose what is right over what is easy. Be brave and stand up for what you believe in. Don’t hide your feelings or let injustice occur. Instead, speak up and do the right thing.
Final Thoughts on Life Lessons Brené Brown Has Taught Us
These pieces of advice from Brené Brown can help you make positive changes in your life. With authenticity and vulnerability, everything else falls into place. Remember these quotes as a way to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Make the most of your time, and embrace who you are.
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