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Shhhh… Listen! Do You Hear the Sound of Vulnerability?

Mona Lisa being admired juan di nella art vulnerability

“Bad writing is written defensively; good writing is a way of making the self as vulnerable as possible.”

Toby Litt

One of the things I love most about art is its ability to make us realize others have felt our feelings and thought our thoughts, and the illusion of separation is just that: an illusion. We’re not alone! We’re surrounded by people, but some of them make being alone look extra sweet and desirable.

books delfina hoxha vulnerability
Alone, joyful, Paris, 2018. “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Bombarded with information, most of which makes me want to stick a fork in my eye and hope I die from bleeding, I never feel as powerless as I do when I watch the news.

Is bad art worse than no art?

There are:

  • good and bad people
  • feel-good and feel-baaad information
  • good art and bad art

“Bad art is worse than no art.”

Oscar Wilde

I disagree with him. Maybe he’s twisting and turning in his grave, thinking, “I meant you! You represent all that’s bad in the art world.” I’ll be damned if I let a dead, privileged man who thought laziness was a virtue, tell me shit about life or art though.

The Illusion of Separateness- Try Vulnerability!

Back to the analogy I was trying to make.

  • Good people and information- referring to writing, cool studies, and some powerful, beautiful stories told via design and video I’ve come across lately- make it ALL worth it.
  • Art lets us know we’re not alone, even when the good kind of people and information aren’t around to help us smile, breathe, stay afloat. The illusion of separateness is fueled by people refusing to be vulnerable, almost ruining all art, and all people, and all things for us. Almost, fuckers.

Consider not getting defensive next time. Yes, I know I just called you a fucker, I meant it lovingly. Who caressss?!

We think others pay way more attention to us (and our negative aspects) than they actually do. Nobody has the time. Consider letting it all show and flow and go.

Wow, Drake should’ve hired me for his verses. He said, “I’m just saying you could do better.” I think you could.

We all could make the world a nicer, more livable, even a (who’d have thought!) truly enjoyable place.

Try vulnerability next time. Maybe it’s not your thing, and you were born to be bitter all your life (Nah), but please give it a try. A half-assed try. Something.

Plenty of mistakes? It’s fiiiine. People thinking your vulnerability is a sign of weakness? It’s fiiiiiine.

Most people respect vulnerability and those who state what they want or need upfront.

Some are too scared living behind walls to appreciate others living their truths. That’s not your problem. It’s fineeee!

Getting to know yourself is a long, tiring, painful process, but oh so worth it.

“I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it.”

Mae West

I sure hope you (road work ahead? I sure hope it does. Vines hold my life together, did I mention?) do. I’m just saying, you can do better.

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