We are approaching the end of finding #unshakable synonyms hidden in the alphabet, and I am starting to wonder what I will do next, but for now, let us keep going.

Today, V is for Vulnerability.

Let me start by saying this: vulnerability is strength. We often resist this paradox, living in a world that equates walls with wisdom and open hearts with recklessness.

I am a hopeless romantic — one who believes in the alchemy of a glance, the poetry of a touch, and the promise of ‘forever.’ Yet, I have kissed too many frogs, hoping for a prince, only to end up wiping away tears, questioning if love is worth the pain.

The hurt has not only come from romance. Some of my deepest wounds have been from platonic friendships, loyalty-bound connections, and family bonds. Betrayal, neglect, or indifference from those who should have been safe havens has cut deeper than any romantic heartbreak.

In quieter moments, I have turned the lens inward, asking myself, ‘Did I give too much? Trust too easily?’ I have analysed where I overstepped, pouring affection into cracks I failed to notice. Yet, even after self-reflection, the sting remains: my deep affection for someone I considered a friend somehow turned them into my foe.

It is a cruel irony that love — platonic, familial, or romantic — can transform connection into conflict. I have seen friendships falter under unspoken resentments, family ties unravel when love became conditional, and my vulnerability used against me as a weapon.

Still, I insist – vulnerability is strength. Many times, I have berated myself for letting my guard down, trusting too soon, or loving too deeply. Exposed and unguarded, I felt foolish and weak.

But over time, I have learned that vulnerability, when paired with selfrespect, is power. Showing up with an open heart, knowing life will bruise you, isn’t naivety; it’s courage.

This strength is tested not only in romance but also in friendships and family. I have been the giver in one-sided relationships, pouring into connections that offered little in return. These experiences taught me that vulnerability is not just about opening your heart but also knowing when to protect it.

I once saw boundaries as barriers. Now, I know they are bridges—spaces where love can flourish without suffocation and trust can grow without fear of betrayal. Boundaries are like walls; they have windows and doors. Boundaries don’t diminish vulnerability; they make it sacred and your strength #unshakable.

Balancing openness with protecting your peace is an art I am still learning. Each misstep has been a lesson, each heartbreak a teacher. Vulnerability, coupled with boundaries, isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom.

Today, I stand as a hopeless romantic and empathetic friend who sees vulnerability not as her Achilles heel but as her superpower. I still dream of love in its truest form — whether it’s a romantic hand in the moonlight or the quiet companionship of friendship. I still wear my heart on my sleeve. But now, my heart is surrounded by a quiet strength that says, ‘I will share my light, but only with those who respect its glow.’ Vulnerability is strength. It’s not about being unguarded; it’s about knowing when and for whom to let your guard down. It is about finding beauty in life’s rawness and courage in opening your heart again, even when the world gives you reasons to close it.

Let me finish by saying this–– at the end of the day, I would rather stand naked in the storm, true to myself, than hide behind walls that block out both pain and joy. That, to me, is what it means to be #unshakably strong.

What do you think?

‘See’ you next week!

Sally Chiwuzie
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IG Handle: @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind