Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It's the fear that we're not good enough.
Brene BrownRead
Live-tweeting your bikini wax is not vulnerability. Nor is posting a blow-by-blow of your divorce . That's an attempt to hot-wire connection. But you can't cheat real connection. It's built up slowly. It's about trust and time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True vulnerability involves deep emotional connection built over time, not superficial sharing of personal experiences.
Brene Brown emphasizes that real vulnerability is about establishing genuine connections through trust and emotional depth. Simply sharing personal experiences, like live-tweeting a bikini wax or detailing a divorce, does not equate to true vulnerability; rather, these actions may be attempts to engage others without the necessary emotional investment that authentic relationships require.
Themes
VulnerabilityConnectionTrustRelationshipsAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
During a workshop on emotional intelligence, this quote could illustrate the importance of building genuine connections.
More from Brene Brown
All quotes →I think our capacity for wholeheartedness can never be greater than our willingness to be broken-hearted. It means engaging with the world from a place of vulnerability and worthiness.
Brene BrownRead
Men walk this tightrope where any sign of weakness illicits shame, and so they're afraid to make themselves vulnerable for fear of looking weak.
Brene BrownRead
I hesitate to use a pathologizing label, but underneath the so-called narcissistic personality is definitely shame and the paralyzing fear of being ordinary.
Brene BrownRead
I'm not a parenting expert. In fact, I'm not sure that I even believe in the idea of 'parenting experts.' I'm an engaged, imperfect parent and a passionate researcher. I'm an experienced mapmaker and a stumbling traveler. Like many of you, parenting is by far my boldest and most daring adventure.
Brene BrownRead
I've learned that men and women who are living wholehearted lives really allow themselves to soften into joy and happiness. They allow themselves to experience it.
Brene BrownRead
Similar quotes
Tell me about a person's family, friends, and community, and I'll tell you what his opinions are.
Mark TwainRead
[America] will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.
Barack ObamaRead
Finally, I decided that the proper strategy was to stare back. Boys do not have a monopoly on the Staring Business, after all. So I looked him over and soon it was a staring contest. After a while the boy smiled, and then finally his blue eyes glanced away. When he looked back at me, I flicked my eyebrows up to say, I win. He shrugged
John GreenRead
Have you any other objection than your belief of my indifference?" - Elizabeth Bennet
Jane AustenRead
In fact, people with mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violence rather than anything else. So it's important that we not stereotype folks with mental illness.
Vivek MurthyRead
I've been accused of being cold, snobbish, distant. Those who know me well know that I’m nothing of the sort. If anything, the opposite is true. But is it too much to ask to want to protect your private life, your inner feelings? Lots of things touch me and I don’t want to be indiscreet.
Grace KellyRead