Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

by Brené Brown

WOMEN AND THE SHAME WEB When I asked women to share their definitions or experiences of shame, here’s what I heard: Look perfect. Do perfect. Be perfect. Anything less than that is shaming. Being judged by other mothers. Being exposed—the flawed parts of yourself that you want to hide from everyone are revealed. No matter what I achieve or how far I’ve come, where I come from and what I’ve survived will always keep me from feeling like I’m good enough. Even though everyone knows that there’s no way to do it all, everyone still expects it. Shame is when you can’t pull off looking like it’s under control. Never enough at home. Never enough at work. Never enough in bed. Never enough with my parents. Shame is never enough. No seat at the cool table. The pretty girls are laughing.