Shame is something we all experience, not just those unfortunate enough to have experienced trauma in their lives.
It is part of what it means to be human, influencing who we are and how we behave (Brown, 2007).
And yet most of us don’t want to talk about it; we fear and avoid shame because it leaves us feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable.
But that’s a problem. “Shame derives its power from being unspeakable,” writes researcher, psychology professor, and bestselling author Brené Brown (2015, p. 58). Ignored and avoided, it’s become a silent epidemic, spreading fear and encouraging negative behavior and thinking.
This article explores Brown’s influential work on shame and how to build the resilience needed to move through it.
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