From “13 Reasons Why” to “Facing Your Truth” — “I can face my pain now.” (Part II)

February 11, 2018

Categories:

13 Reasons Why, Depression/Anxiety, Dr. Chen’s Corner, Trauma

(Please read “I can face my pain now” (Part I) first)

Facing Your Vulnerability
Takeaway Points:
1. Being vulnerable doesn’t mean you are weak. It says you are strong enough to show your true self.
2. Being vulnerable allow you to transform your shame and helplessness into compassion and action.
3. For more information about the vulnerability, please read Brene Brown’s work. This Ted Talk Video in 2010 is a good start. I found it very useful to myself in my journey to become who I am today.

Self Reflection Activity: Face Your Vulnerability

“Part of me was saying “Please don’t leave.” Part of me never wanted to see you again…..But you walked out the door like I told you to…..”
~ Hannah Baker, EP 11

1. In the past 30 days, have you noticed yourself in a similar situation as Hannah, part of you want to go a certain direction, and part of you tell you to go to the other direction? In few sentences, write down the situation.
2. Take some time to reflect on that situation and finish this sentence:
“Part of me feel__________ and want to __________ (Part A) but the other part of me feel __________ and want to _______________(Part B)”
3. Write a paragraph to explain to yourself about your feelings and needs of Part A.
4. Write a paragraph to explain to yourself about your feelings and needs of Part B.
5. Now, take a good look at these two parts of you and ask yourself:
1) Is there any fear in these two sides? If the answer is yes, what are the fears?
2) Is there any hurt in these two sides? If there answer is yes, what are the hurts?
3) Is there any shame in these two sides? If the answer is yes, what is the shame?

6. Now, it’s time to face your vulnerability. Based on what you learned about these feelings now, fear, hurt, shame, desires, and needs, what will be your action plan?
1) Who can you ask for support and understanding?
2) Who do you need to ask for forgiveness and to provide an explanation?
3) What can you do to show your compassion towards yourself and the people involved in the situation?

A Friendly Reminder:

This exercise might elicit different feelings that “feels like” hard to tolerate. If it brings up a lot of emotions that are hard to tolerate, talk to a friend or seek professional help. You might be on the verge to reconcile a very difficult memory or traumatic event. Don’t bury it away. On the other side of the fear is your courageous inner strength that is waiting for you to dig out.

Original Work:

Here is the link to the original novel of “13 reasons why”

Here is the link to the Netflix drama of “13 reasons why”

Resources:

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network hotline 800-656-4673

National Suicide Prevention Hotline hotline 1-800-273-8255

13 Reasons Why Series Articles:

From “13 Reasons Why” To “Facing Your Truth” — Prologue

From “13 Reasons Why” to “Facing Your Truth”— “Truth”

From “13 Reasons Why” to “Facing Your Truth” — “I don’t want to see my true self” (Part I)

From “13 Reasons Why” to “Facing Your Truth” — “I don’t want to see my true self” (Part 2)

From “13 Reasons Why” to “Facing Your Truth” — “I refuse to see it” (Part 1)