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Have You Ever Experienced a “Vulnerability Hangover”?
If you’ve been vulnerable, chances are you’ve experienced this phenomenon
A couple of months ago, I wrote a short story and shared it with a close friend. To her, it was no big deal — but to me, it felt like I was chipping off a little part of my soul and handing it over.
The vulnerability I felt at that moment probably had to do with the circumstances — it’s been a long time since I’ve done any creative writing, let alone finished an actual story. I was opening a door I thought I’d locked and dead-bolted a while ago.
Afterward, all I could feel was a weird mixture of fear and regret — I couldn’t believe I’d actually let her read that. It wasn’t even good — why did I do that? Even after she told me she liked the story, I couldn't shake the gnawing pit in my stomach.
That’s not the only time I’ve felt this way either. In the past, I’ve drawn or written things for people — only to immediately regret it. To me, these gifts feel all too personal — it’s like I’m opening up my chest cavity with a scalpel and letting someone else poke around.
When someone casts aside a drawing I just spent six hours on with barely a “thank you,” it only makes the situation worse. I knew I should’ve just bought that $20 scarf…
