I'm that girl that wears her heart on her sleeve; I've always been that girl. Whatever I feel, I feel strongly. There is no half-in or half-out kind of feelings, they are all powerful and consuming. Even the minuscule things that don't really matter to most people, I care about. If I'm mad, I'm angry. If I'm hurt, I'm devastated. If I'm happy, I feel like it just radiates off of me. Of course, this isn't one of my favorite traits, nor is it really even that valuable, but it's me. I've learned to live with that, and how to cope with all of those emotions even when I feel like they are destroying me.

With all of those feelings being as demanding as they are, it brings a whole new aspect to the table: vulnerability. Which to me, is always a tricky subject and a tricky feeling. Vulnerability is often associated with weakness, and I'm not going to lie, when I start to feel vulnerable I do feel weak. Maybe it's because it can be brought on by so many things — big or small. It's not always just starting over with new people, although that is a lot of it. Instead, it could just be something as simple as not being able to see whenever you first take your contacts out, or being in a new place and not knowing your surroundings.

Whenever I start to feel vulnerable, I could build even more walls than the ones that I have already have put up; that thought has crossed my mind or two. I could be resentful towards people because of situations that have nothing to do with them; I've done that before. Doesn't help anything. I could laugh in satisfaction watching people trying to break my walls down, knowing that they never will. Instead I choose, or am trying to choose, to forget about my past, and the bad experiences, and the vulnerability, and just let whoever or whatever begin to break down those walls. Because what would life be if you kept yourself hidden behind them forever? It wouldn't be as enjoyable. I wouldn't be pursuing my dream career, or even have figured out my passion for it. I wouldn't be surrounded by all of the amazing people who choose to spend their time with me. I wouldn't be at a University five hours away from from home had I let my vulnerability get the best of me.

I know that it's tricky, and of course it's easier said than done. Trying to learn that vulnerability doesn't always mean weakness is one thing, but actually acting on it is something completely different. At the end of the day, it is hard to just throw caution to the wind, and whole-heartedly let someone in. It's hard to love again after heartbreak, and it's hard to trust again after being hurt. It's hard to start over and face the fear of rejection head-on. People will take advantage of you, and not everyone will have as big of a heart as you, unfortunately. But the ones who are able to openly pour out their feelings after ultimate hurt, are often the ones who end up being genuinely happy afterwards– even if takes a little while to find it. Keeping everything bottled inside may seem effective at first, but eventually that bottle will crack.

So, forget about being "vulnerable." Forget about what's comfortable, or what's easy, or what's hard. Find what is meaningful. Find your passions. You don't want to wake up one day and regret missing out on so many opportunities because you were scared. Face your fears head on, learn new things, love someone deeply, and make your dreams your reality. Learning to deal with vulnerability isn't always easy, and using it effectively won't happen in a day, but it could be just what you need. Open up. Be vulnerable. You just might realize that you'll become stronger because of it.