Validation Vs Vulnerability

Community & Vulnerability Avoiding Oversharing & Finding Safe Outlets

📦 “Oversharing Isn’t the Enemy—Avoidance Is” | Vulnerability vs Validation in Recovery Short Let me be crystal clear: Oversharing ≠ silence. I’m not saying shut your mouth, turn into an emotional zombie, and pretend nothing’s wrong. What I am saying is this: oversharing without intention is validation-seeking disguised as vulnerability. If you’re unloading your entire childhood trauma onto the poor pizza delivery guy who just wanted a tip and a "have a nice night"—that’s not healthy vulnerability. That’s desperation. That’s emotional misfiring. 🔍 We talked 4–5 weeks ago about the village mentality—about building community. And YES, you need people. You need a circle. You need safe, solid relationships where you can be seen, heard, and held accountable. But the problem? 🧠 A lot of men—especially in recovery—don’t feel safe being vulnerable. So we default to two extremes: Overshare with the wrong people, or Internalize everything until it explodes. That second one? That’s a ticking time bomb. Internalizing emotions corrodes you—not just mentally, but physically. So what’s the balance? ✅ Speak. ✅ Share. ✅ But know the room. And know the difference between honesty and emotional ambush.