Vulnerability As A Girl

emily lola tan mental muscle tiara hoquee

I could not be vulnerable with women for similar reasons as why many men won’t be vulnerable with women today- risks of being attacked, judged, penalized, emotionally blackmailed, rejected…

I didn’t grow up with sis or female friends where I felt comfortable being vulnerable with, my Mom & I didn’t have the kind of relationship where “talking” is a form of bonding (instead of fighting).

Like many, vulnerability got me burnt.

It was highly difficult for me to trust girls, particularly white girls, after her.

Learning how to be trust someone was F*****G hard.
Learning how to trust myself, was harder.

This is an important skill I wish I learned earlier.

Like any skill, it takes practice to use a tool.

Time & effort sharpens use of a tool.

Like any tool, if you keep bringing it to the wrong setting, it doesn’t work.
No matter how much you wish it, a hammer will not fit a screw.

What I learned :
1. Be vulnerable with myself FIRST
2. Understand how I want to be supported
3. PICK YOUR PEOPLE (not every one is capable or ready to support you)

One of my many mantras:
If I ask of someone to take risks with me, I need to trust myself to handle it for the both of us, and vice versa.

This is likely the reason why that when I DO get lucky & meet women who I can be real with, I treasure those connections.

The action behind @mentalmusclemafia is challenging for my spirit, as it feels like it’s just taking beating after beating from despair of external resistance.

But it’s time like this where a session makes it all worth it #HopeOfHumanity

We ran a group with all women this time, Thank you @aileenjwong@iris.avalee@shshboom for honouring honesty & safety. Mi socio de mafia @tiarahoquee te aprecio mucho

We’re running the next circle with all men on the 28th of Nov in Hong Kong

If you and I have not been chatting about this yet, and empowering men sounds like something you want to stand for – get in touch ❤️‍🔥

Published by Emily Lola Tan

I've been told that I'm tiny but tough, so I must have gotten SOME things right. On the inside, I feel like a mushy marshmellow who's a hopeless romantic and find corny cute. Writing "About Me" sections had evolved in the past x years of online profiles, currently, it sits at me still hungry for enlightening experiences and insightful traveling, particularly with human connections. My story at full length on the "About" page :) Thank you for poking around!

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