When all this started, I thought that being brave enough to show my love and vulnerability despite my pain would allow him to do the same. It’s been a long, painful road, discovering over and over again that it isn’t the case.
I totally get this. It hurts when you bare your soul and it goes unnoticed, ignored, and/or misinterpreted. Especially when the response from your partner is fear.
I think we often confuse vulnerability in our situations. We have this big old suitcase of emotional baggage - some of it clean, some of it dirty. When we are vulnerable, it all comes out, the good and bad, and looks like emotional puking to the recipient.
Once we sort out our laundry, it is easier to have a healthy vulnerability.
