“I love myself”
Social media has had a profound impact on the human psyche. As a result of constant interaction with large groups of people, our behavior patterns have changed. One of these changes is the way we evaluate ourselves. In a world where there is a cult of success and self-realization, where every day we see people living perfect lives, our method of self-assessment has shifted as well. Now, our perception of ourselves often depends on the opinion of others, their reactions. We know we’ve achieved something based on comments, likes, responses, and shares. The approval of others has become more important than our own inner voice. The paradox is that external validation cannot fill the void of insecurity and self-devaluation. Only our internal voice can. In the performance “I love myself”, an artist who is externally successful and often receives praise and admiration from others, reclaims her voice, her self-assessment, and with it, a healthy, natural sense of self-worth. Repeating the seemingly obvious mantra "I love myself," she overcomes internal barriers—conflict, shame, discomfort, and childhood trauma. The same phrase sounds very different as it delves deeper into consciousness—sometimes as a question, an assertion, a request, a command, or an offer of help. The public performance also poses questions to the audience: Are we ready to accept someone’s self-love? What feelings does it stir in us? Thus, the observation happens on two levels—of the artist and of oneself—making the performance rich and multi-faceted despite its apparent simplicity.