Recently, I was delightfully surprised with a warm “I love you.”
I went to a Barbara Kruger exhibition in a New York City gallery. She is an incredible visual artist and had this hallway piece. As I was walking down a tight hallway, I suddenly heard an audio that filled the hallway “I love you.”
This was in a warm, buttery voice. I stopped and noticed the warmth that I felt in the moment. I was in a gallery. White walls. This tight hallway took me from one space to another. All filled with Barbara Kruger’s powerful words and imagery. But in this hallway, there were headphones drawn onto the wall. I did look at them. It made me think initially of isolation. Being cooped up during COVID. Not being able to share actual headphones without some fear of spread. But instead my thoughts were interrupted with “I love you” to experience.
Then there was another voice surfaced and clearly said “take care of yourself.” I felt my breath take over my entire chest at that moment. It felt personal. It felt emotional. It felt beautiful.
The uncomfortable truth.
Self-worth is within you. The entire Barbara Kruger show was a reminder for me to stay curious about how I show up in the world. To think about words I hear or read. And to continue to question how the world and its programming influences me. And to think about what I’m telling myself and how I am talking to myself. One of the most important relationships that shapes how you believe in your self-worth is…well, YOU.
It also gave me a creative jolt. Reminding me that my inner artist is thirsty for more. More connection. More conversation. More inquiry. More creativity. That is why I went to New York. To get my booty off my sofa, out of my house, and see art. See culture. See a jammed packed city full of people. People who are all having to manage their relationships with self.
Permission Slip.
My invitation to you today is to take care of yourself.
Practice falling in love with YOU.
Maybe even practice saying to yourself - I love you.
Notice how you’re wanting to show up.
And go after more of what you dream or are passionate about in life.
Notice how you’re talking to and with yourself.
I’m sending you love and support from afar.
If you're reading this, email me back and say "YES" to yourself. I'll send you an image or two of Barbara Krueger's work that I took to help bottle up some of that energy and bring it back with me.
PS. If you’re ready to step into some of your passions, inner urges, more connection, more creativity, more inquiry - Join my courageous planning workshop. We lean into courageous conversations about how you talk and believe in yourself. We share our inner urges to create something new or do something different in life. I’ll bring courageous tools to explore what’s important about those passions in your life. And we’ll uncover more about what you’re looking to create. Something just for You.
Remember, that power of “I love you” and “take care of yourself.”
Best,
Becca
Becca Hopson
Feminist Wellness Coach
Courageous Planning Workshop
Listening Sessions for Women
