Seeking Comfort Within Vulnerability

Defining humanity, through thought-provoking concepts and emphasizing the art of

human connection, storytelling is a vital component of everyday life. Stories are an essential

aspect of preserving empathy, compassion, and emotional regard for others and transcend across

generations. As a storyteller, I find myself marking a path less approached, as personal growth

occurs in feelings of uncertainty.

Narratives primarily hold the space for sharing personal experiences and aim at the reader

diving into said perspective. Often, it is a shared feeling, either implicit or explicitly that

individuals connect over a narrative. Alternatively, by gaining insight into other’s lives,

narratives allow readers to understand a broader topic that may be highly scrutinized.

A narrative of mine that holds great prominence includes my story of creating an

advocacy campaign for mental health. As someone who is very passionate about using my voice

to create change for the greater good, I found this opportunity not only rewarding in seeing

monumental impact but on a personal level as well. In raising money for a cause very near and

dear to my heart, I was able to not only help myself out of a difficult time but connect with

others who have felt the same. My journey in advocacy would not be the same if it were not for

the collaborative role in my local community. Here, I fostered relationships based on open

conversations and felt empowered by the support of individuals who defined resilience in the

face adversity.

Storytelling has a power that is indescribable. The role of vulnerability is quite daunting

at first but opens the door for both self-growth and community building. Without storytelling, an

aspect of human connection would be omitted, and life would be expressionless. The need for

rhetorical consideration and application in narrative writing is evident in ways that position

vulnerability into areas of communication and relations.