A Lesson in Womanhood: What New York City Taught Me About Self-Love

Reflecting on a recent trip to New York City with my bestie, my heart is full in a way I didn't expect. Of course, the food was delicious, and the shops cures my need for retail therapy, but this trip became so much more. It became a beautiful lesson in womanhood—a reminder of the strength, vulnerability, and beauty we carry within ourselves every single day and I wanted to share my “aha” moments with you.

The trip felt like an episode of Sex and The City, best friends in their 30s exploring the big apple. Each experience felt like a personal lesson and an opportunity to grow, something I was missing back at home.

We booked a self-care day in Koreatown. It was a gloomy day so we had soup dumplings, shopped for skincare and scheduled a spa day. We ended up at The Spa Club, an authentic, Korean bathhouse, swimwear option.

At first, I’ll admit, I felt that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach… self-consciousness of being nude—like I was too aware of every inch of myself. But something magical happened in that space. Surrounded by other women, simply existing in our natural forms, there was a sense of freedom I hadn’t expected. We all have our little insecurities, don’t we? And it was in the shared vulnerability of being there together that I realized—this is part of the beauty of being human. Seeing other women, open and unguarded, was both humbling and inspiring. It reminded me that we're all carrying our own stories and struggles, but there’s so much strength in embracing our bodies, exactly as they are.

Then, there was the quiet comfort of sisterhood throughout the the trip. Spending time with my best friend in the vibrant, city of New York was like a deep breath for my soul. Life can be so overwhelming at times—our roles as mothers (or plant mommy), partners, workers, and friends pulling us in so many directions. But those moments of simply being together filled me up in ways I didn’t even know I needed. True friendship has a way of nourishing you in ways nothing else can, and I left feeling so deeply grateful for those moments of connection.

Later, I got a chance to visit The Stranger Project exhibit. What an emotional experience. The stories shared by strangers, capturing intimate moments of their lives, hit me like a wave. I felt such a strong sense of empathy, of connection to people I’ve never met but could somehow relate to. It was a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger, that our shared humanity is a bond that connects us all, no matter how different our lives may seem. That kind of empathy, the ability to recognize yourself in another’s story, is such a powerful force that unites us all.

And perhaps the most subtle yet profound lesson of the trip was the feeling of simply being. In Cleveland, we often navigate our familiar spaces, knowing the faces around us, and fitting into the roles that others expect. But in New York, in all its vastness, there was this quiet permission to just exist without judgment. I found myself in a city where no one knew me, where I could just take up space, and it felt so freeing. In that anonymity, I realized how often I—and maybe we all—tend to shrink or dim our light. But we don’t have to. In the hustle and bustle of a city that never stops, there was a gentle reminder that we are worthy of space. We are worthy of taking up room and being seen, just as we are.

This trip, in all its beauty, was a quiet unfolding of lessons. It taught me the power of vulnerability, the comfort of true connection, the strength that comes from empathy, and the simple but profound act of just embracing who we are. I’m bringing this renewed sense of peace and understanding back to the Self Love Club and to all of you.

Let’s continue to support each other with open hearts, to embrace ourselves with kindness, and to confidently take up the space we so deserve. You are enough, just as you are, and you always will be…in ANY city.💖