Walking the Line: 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 & 𝐕𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: 𝐑𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢

𝐁𝐲: 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐢 𝐆𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐚

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫,𝐁.𝐀 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬.)𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

Picture yourself walking on a tightrope, high above the ground. On one side, there's individualism, the belief that you should walk that rope all by yourself, without any help. On the other side is vulnerability, the idea that it’s okay to ask for a safety net when the rope gets shaky. As teenagers, many of us are stuck between these two sides, unsure of which way to lean.

Individualism is like carrying a backpack stuffed with everything you need, be it your strengths, skills, or determination. It’s the belief that you should handle your problems, make your decisions, and not rely on anyone else. In a way, this feels powerful. It’s like the pride you feel when you solve a tough math problem on your own or when you sort out a tricky situation with friends without asking for advice. It’s a sense of independence and self-worth.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲?

Sometimes, the challenges we face are too much to handle alone, and the weight of trying to do everything by ourselves starts to drag us down. We might put on a brave face, but inside, we feel the pressure building up. Yet, we hesitate to ask for help because we’ve been taught that needing help makes us weak, that it means we’re not strong enough.

Now, Imagine being vulnerable and walking that same tightrope, but this time, there’s a safety net below you. That net represents the support you can find in others be it friends, family, or even a counselor. Being vulnerable means admitting that sometimes you need that net. It’s like when you finally tell someone that school is overwhelming, or that a friendship problem is really bothering you. It’s scary at first, like stepping off the rope and trusting that the net will catch you.

But vulnerability isn’t just about being caught when you fall. It’s also about realizing that you don’t have to walk the tightrope alone. By opening up, you allow others to walk alongside you, making the journey less lonely and a lot safer.

So, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?

It’s not about choosing between being strong or being vulnerable. It’s about knowing when to be independent and when to ask for help. Sometimes, it’s okay to handle things on your own. But other times, it’s just as important to let others in, to admit when you’re struggling, and to ask for support. After all, even the best tightrope walkers use a safety net, not because they’re weak but because they’re smart enough to know that everyone needs support sometimes.