The Prison We Create

We all have parts of ourselves that we keep hidden—vulnerabilities we shy away from showing. It could be the hesitation to fully show up in our lives, the tendency to pull back when things get uncomfortable, or the whispers of doubt that hold us back. These parts often surface when setbacks happen, or when we’re faced with an opportunity to step into something bigger. But in hiding them, we keep ourselves stuck. A self-contained prisoner chained to our own limitations.

Today, I invite you to explore the places you often conceal. It’s time to look at the vulnerability, the self-prisoning, and the inner critic that rise up when you feel the urge to retreat. By acknowledging these hidden parts, you can begin to move through them and reclaim the power that lies within you.

Vulnerability

Showing up fully can feel like stepping into a spotlight—exposing parts of yourself that feel raw, unpolished, or uncertain. It’s easy to hold back when you’re afraid of being judged or criticized. Vulnerability, though it may seem uncomfortable, is an essential part of growth.

In those moments when you’re ready to take a big step—whether it’s pursuing an opportunity, giving your first public presentation, or simply being your true self—vulnerability often rears its head. It makes you second-guess, hesitate, and wonder if you’re truly ready.

But when you shy away from vulnerability, you deny yourself the chance to experience true growth. You stay in the familiar, but you also prevent yourself from stepping into the possibility of something greater.

Self-Prisoned

We all know what it’s like to feel chained to a part of ourselves—whether it’s a thought, habit, or goal that feels just out of reach. Self-prison doesn’t always look like a conscious choice to fail; it often shows up in subtle ways: procrastination, overthinking, or simply not showing up when you should. It’s the internal push to avoid discomfort, to resist the next step forward.

Self-prisoning is a protective mechanism. It’s the part of you that’s afraid to break free from the familiar because that’s all you know. You fear that fully stepping into your goals, your dreams, or your potential will bring failure, rejection, or even the overwhelming weight of success. Then, life as you know it will change forever. But when you listen to that voice, you stay stuck. You hide, retreat, and convince yourself that doing nothing is safer than risking a mistake.

Yet, each time you self-prison, you deny yourself the opportunity to learn, grow, and show up in your full potential.

Emotional Response

When you choose not to show up, the emotional fallout can be heavy. You might feel frustration, disappointment, or even anger at yourself. These emotions are a direct response to the vulnerability and self-prisoning that keep you stuck.

But these emotions are not the problem. How you respond to them is what matters. Often, we amplify these negative emotions by believing the stories our inner critic tells us: “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not capable,” or “I’m going to fail.” These stories are rooted in old beliefs that no longer serve you. They are not the truth.

The challenge is not to push these emotions away but to sit with them, understand where they come from, acknowledge them, and then choose a different path forward.

Journal Exercise

Now that we’ve explored the hidden parts of you, it’s time to reflect on them through this journal exercise. The goal is to get to the heart of what’s keeping you from showing up fully. Use these prompts to guide your self-discovery:

1. When did you last pull away from an opportunity, person, or goal?

   
   

   Think about the last time you held back from something meaningful. What happened in that moment?

   
   

   • What emotions came up for you when you chose not to show up?

   • Was it vulnerability that caused you to retreat?

     
     

2. What was the internal narrative you created in that moment?

   
   

   Examine the thoughts that surfaced when you hesitated or pulled back.

   
   

   • Did you tell yourself you weren’t enough, or that it wasn’t the right time?

   • What recurring patterns do you notice in these thoughts?

     
     

3. How did this moment of retreat relate to self-prisoning?

   
   

   Look closely at how you may have kept yourself from taking action.

   
   

   • Did you procrastinate, distract yourself, or come up with excuses?

   • What was this self-prison protecting you from?

     
     

4. When you think about fully showing up, what emotions arise for you?

   
   

   Think about showing up as your authentic self. Does it excite you, or does it make you feel vulnerable?

   
   

   • Is it fear of judgment, failure, or success that you’re avoiding?

   • What is the underlying belief that keeps you from fully embracing who you are?

     
     

5. What’s one small step you can take to move through this vulnerability?

   
   

   The goal is progress, not perfection. What small, tangible action can you take today that brings you closer to showing up fully?

   
   

   • It could be a conversation, a decision, or simply taking action on something you’ve been putting off.

   • Write it down and commit to it.

     
     

Moving Through Vulnerability

Vulnerability is not something to avoid; it’s the very thing that enables you to grow. Every time you choose to show up, despite the discomfort, you’re choosing to expand.

You don’t need to eliminate vulnerability—it will always be there in moments of change and growth. What matters is how you respond to it. The more you choose to show up, the less power vulnerability holds over you.

Next time you feel the pull to retreat, take a deep breath. Acknowledge the vulnerability present, but don’t let it control you. Show up anyway—imperfectly and in your own time. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward the life you’re meant to live.

Ready to Break Free?

You’ve taken the first step in recognizing the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding. Now, it’s time to stop staying stuck and start moving forward. I invite you to take one bold action today—book a no-cost consult with me and let’s explore how we can work together to break the chains of self-prison and step into the life you’re meant for.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back any longer. This is your moment to choose growth.

Click here to schedule your free session and take the next step toward a life of purpose and potential.

Yours in health,

Dana VanBrimmer, NBC-HWC

Founder, Live & Develop

Live. Develop. Rebuild with Purpose.