How to Be Vulnerable

Hey there! I'm Sheila Bishop.

Here's my secret: I'm a stand-up comedian who's been making people laugh for twenty years. Behind all those jokes and smiles? Depression and anxiety, for as long as I can remember. I know, weird combo. But humor has always been my coping mechanism. It's how I make sense of the world.

Vulnerability is my thing now. Not because I'm good at it—God, no—but because I've learned that hiding never works. The armor gets heavy. The jokes start to feel hollow. At some point, you realize the only way forward is to let people see the real you.

Terrifying? Absolutely. Worth it? Yeah. It really is.

Where to Start

If vulnerability feels impossible:

Why Vulnerability Is So Hard — Let's be honest about the fear.
The Armor We Wear — What are you hiding behind?
When Being Seen Feels Dangerous — Sometimes it does. Let's talk about that.

If you want to open up:

Starting Small — You don't have to spill everything at once.
Choosing Who To Trust — Not everyone deserves your vulnerability.
The Art Of Honest Conversation — How to actually do this.

If you're struggling:

Vulnerability And Mental Health — They're deeply connected.
When Vulnerability Backfires — It happens. Here's what to do.
Being Vulnerable With Yourself — The first and hardest step.

If you want to understand:

The Strength In Vulnerability — It's not weakness. It's courage.
Vulnerability In Relationships — The only way to real connection.
Why We Hide — And what it costs us.

A Note on This Wiki

I started sharing my mental health journey through my comedy and writing because I was tired of pretending. Tired of the "I'm fine" when I wasn't. Tired of making everyone laugh while I was falling apart inside.

What I discovered is that I'm not alone. Not even close. So many people are carrying the same weight, wearing the same armor, telling the same lies about being okay.

This wiki is for all of us. The ones who are learning to take off the mask. The ones who are terrified but doing it anyway. The ones who've figured out that being seen—really seen—is the only way to stop feeling so damn alone.

I'll make you laugh sometimes. I'll probably make you uncomfortable too. But I promise to keep it real.

— Sheila Bishop, laughing so I don't cry (and sometimes both)