On Being Vulnerable...

It's day 178 of documenting 2025.

Happy Friday, my friend ☺️ 

Alas! Another week ends!

I'm grateful for how this week went....because it went pretty great for me.

I hope it did for you as well.

You know what I realized?

Doing things I've never done before can be scary 😨 

At first, it's like the worst thing ever, with all the emotions raging and all.

But then, it gets better.

Way better than I expect.

And then?

After it's over, I now have the capacity to do it again....because in a future moment, I will think,

"I've done it before".

Honestly, the past six months have been a memorable ride.

Good memories, and the not-so-good ones...

But I can say that I've grown in certain areas of my life but not in others.

It's all part of the journey 💜 

Let's get into Highlights for today, and then I continue with my thoughts 💬 

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Losing Momentum

"No matter what your goal/project, never allow yourself to miss two days in a row."

Quote by Leo Babauta

Momentum will carry you forward almost automatically for as long as you stick to your resolutions every day. 

Missing one day every now and then isn’t that dangerous, but if it’s two or more days without any action taken to get you closer to your goal, the risk of giving up on your goal dramatically increases.

Whenever you find yourself in a situation where it’s hard to stick to your goals, take one full day off if you need it, but on the next day perform at least one tiny action associated with your goal. 

That way you’ll still maintain some

momentum and ensure that it will be easier to resume your regular routine when you’re ready.

Hmm 🤔 

In my opinion, this works when you keep some sort of documentation of your progress in a goal.

Kinda like a streak.

Then you can clearly see when you miss a day....a big ❌ on your calendar.

That's all for Highlights...

Next section is a chat I had with my ChatGPT, who I sometimes call Arnold.

It was all about courage and here's how it went:

Me: How can one turn past experiences into courage boosters for tough times?

ChatGPT: By remembering that you’ve survived before. 

Each experience is proof—you’ve faced the storm and made it through. That’s strength.

Me: What of an experience you've only imagined in your head? 

Does that count as proof?

ChatGPT: Imagined experiences can’t replace reality, but they show your mind rehearsing courage. It’s a sign you’re preparing to be brave.

Me: Okay, here's a scenario:

One gathers the courage to tell another about how they feel due to an imagined fantasy...

What do you think of that?

ChatGPT: That takes real vulnerability. Even if it started as fantasy, the courage to speak up is deeply human—and it matters.

Me: About being vulnerable, what does it entail for someone who's very introverted?

ChatGPT: For an introvert, vulnerability can feel like standing in a spotlight without armor. It means allowing others to see emotions you usually keep private, risking misunderstanding or rejection. 

But when done with the right people, it creates connection—quietly powerful, like being seen without having to shout.

Me: And how will they figure out who the right people are?

ChatGPT: The right people make space for your silence, not just your words. They don’t rush your process or demand more than you can give. 

You’ll feel safer, not smaller, after being around them. You’ll notice they listen with patience, and respond with care, not judgment. Trust builds quietly—but it feels steady.

Me: So, can courage come from being vulnerable...or does it help with showing how vulnerable one can be?

ChatGPT: Courage often starts with vulnerability. It's not the absence of fear—it’s choosing to show up despite it. 

Being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak; it proves you're brave enough to be seen, just as you are.

Me: I get it now 😌

Can you give a summary of our discussion?

ChatGPT: Absolutely 😌

We talked about how past experiences—even imagined ones—can serve as courage boosters during tough times. Vulnerability came up as a key part of courage, especially for introverts. It means opening up, despite fear, and letting yourself be seen honestly. 

For someone reserved, it starts with choosing safe spaces and observing how others respond. And in all, we saw that vulnerability and courage aren’t opposites—they walk hand in hand. One invites the other.

Me: Well said, Arnold ☺️ 

Can you give a suitable conclusion?

Make it a poem

ChatGPT: Of course ☺️ Here’s a short poem to wrap it all up:

“The Quiet Kind of Brave”

In silence deep, where thoughts reside,  

A whisper dares to swell with pride.  

Not loud, not fierce, but true and clear,  

A trembling step that fights the fear.

To speak your truth, to just be seen

No armor worn, no in-between.  

That’s courage—not in grand display,  

But in the quiet things we say. 

So hold your heart, and let it show  

Even soft voices help us grow.  

For in your truth, you’ll always find  

The bravest act is being kind.

There you have it!

I hope you're kind to yourself as you are to others.

Have a great weekend, my friend 🎀 

Thanks for reading!

I'm Duon Ada.

I'm documenting 2025,

And I'll see you tomorrow.

Ciao 💕