These emotional structures may protect us in the short term but also confine us. After all, the walls we build don’t just keep out the rain—they block the sunlight, too. If you want to feel the warmth of joy, you’ve got to be willing to let the breeze in, even if it carries a few storm clouds with it.
Here are a few ways :
Start Small. Open a window in your emotional castle. Share a piece of yourself with a trusted friend, even if it feels uncomfortable. Vulnerability is like a muscle—it gets stronger each time you use it.
Embrace Imperfection: Let go of the need to figure it all out. As Alain de Botton often suggests, “There is no such thing as a perfect life, only an imperfect life that we can learn to love.”
Laugh at Yourself: Nothing breaks down walls faster than humour. Be willing to see the absurdity in your own defences. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you’re chuckling at your quirks.
Remember: Risk = Reward: Life’s greatest joys often come with a risk attached. It’s the thrill of stepping outside your comfort zone, knowing that it might go wrong and just go spectacularly right.
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