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The Exchange of Emotional Fragility for Affection
Lately, one currency has been proving to be more valuable than Bitcoin: vulnerability. Just like using monopoly money in the real world, this currency might be less than we think.
Remember when Taylor Swift sang, “Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes”?
She was onto something.
Being open about our struggles is important, but when vulnerability becomes a ticket for affection, we might stick to emotional Band-Aids where stitches are needed.
Vulnerability, in its most accurate form, is about honesty and connection. But somewhere along the way, we’ve turned it into a performance, complete with the “sad face” emoji and vague tweets that scream, “Ask me what’s wrong!”
“Sad Face” Emoji
Take Emma, for instance. Picture her as your average 20-something trying to figure out adulting, which is about as easy as assembling IKEA furniture without the manual. After a rough week, she posts on social media: “Feeling overwhelmed…#stressed #needahug”.
The likes roll in faster than a Marvel movie at the box office. Friends comment with virtual hugs, and DMs flood her inbox. It feels good. It feels great. So, next week, when she spills coffee on her shirt, guess what? Another post goes up. And another.
