Vulnerability – willingness to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known; willingness to risk being emotionally hurt

Let me tell you something: putting your life out there is not easy. If you do this for a living, I imagine it’s a completely different scenario. I’m not afraid of the camera! I have a YouTube channel, am active on social media, and interact with the media on occasion. A day-in-the-life vlog, on the other hand, is an entirely different challenge!

This video came together as a result of meticulous planning — as I’m sure I’ve stated before, I don’t do anything without a plan! Anyone who came to see me before this formal process began would have assumed that I was starting a new research project. On Microsoft To Do I methodically listed my tasks, and on TimeTree Calender I planned time for editing. After that, Petnanny, My Online Therapist and SAGE Pilates all gave their informed consent. Finding more content (videos, music and images) took the longest period of time in this whole process, but once it was done, the recording process could begin. Isn’t that how the research process works as well?

The steps leading up to the final data gathering can seem tedious at times, but without them, you won’t be able to complete your project. I had a lot of fun filming and editing the vlog. This was not surprising, because I enjoy data analysis as well. I was about 75% done when I melted my computer’s brain – or maybe the computer melted my brain, I’m not sure.  All of my carefully prepared adjustments were lost when the application crashed. While agitated, I remembered my supervisor’s statement that there will always be unplanned parts in a project’s final phase. Whilst participating in a free online Pilatus session I took a few deep breaths. I convinced myself that I now know exactly what I want to do, where I want things to go, what the timelines should be, and that the previous time was just a preparation. With that in mind, I continued the editing process and was blown away by how quickly it all went.

The vlog, like my research project, was completed and is now at the stage of waiting for feedback. While I’m waiting, I have the opportunity to consider the prospective feedback, which is where the vulnerability comes in. I agree with Brené Brown who claims that there are power in vulnerability. The term that comes to me is ‘bravery.’ It takes courage to put oneself out there and try something new, whether it’s a vlog, a project, or something else entirely different.

Let’s celebrate our bravery in the upcoming month!