Does the phrase "bear yourself open" mean to be more open?
In today's world, people are so closed off to each other, maybe if we bore ourselves open, we'd be happier as a collective.
Does the phrase "bear yourself open" mean to be more open?
In today's world, people are so closed off to each other, maybe if we bore ourselves open, we'd be happier as a collective.
One of the definitions of to bear means to be brave in how you conduct yourself or your actions. It isn't commonly used, but I'd read your sentence as:
Maybe if we were brave enough to be open [with each other], we'd be happier...
The phrase, 'bear oneself' has the following meaning:
: to move, stand, or behave in a specified way
(The meaning is from Merriam-Webster.)
For example,
He always bore himself like a gentleman.
means 'he always behaves like a gentleman.'
So the question phrase 'bear ourselves open' can be interpreted as 'behave/stand ourselves open'.