Months ago, I had a crazy little idea to make affirmation signs. Because there were things that I needed to hear. Because there were things I wanted to tell other people but also chickened out on. Because I want everyone to feel worthy, even though I know that society often tells us we are less than.

You can read a rundown of how things went in Baltimore over at Uncustomary, Mary did a fantastic job both helping me with this project and writing about it! You can see more photos over at Instagram at #yasvb.

Here are just a few photos that came from February 7th, and they all show that we all need to hear these things, say these things, share these things. Time and time again, when people finished making these lil’ signs, they would write or say things like, “I really enjoyed making these!” or “That felt really good!” And they’re right, it just feels good down to your bones when you make something that reminds you of how awesome you really are.

So, this project is about acceptance. Acceptance of who you are, of how you feel about yourself. Or about saying the things you want someone else to hear and accept, but they’re just not ready. It’s about saying what you really want to say, and then sitting with the poignancy of the moment, whether that’s in the making or in the giving away.

Personally, it took years for me to destroy the negative tape loop in my head, the one that tried to size me up next to people in magazine ads and on TV. And doing projects like this? It helps combat that negative loop by feeding it positive thoughts, the ones that should have been with us the one darn time. (Like it says in the “two wolves” legend.)

Since putting the signs up, we’ve heard from a few people who found them… who told us that they were going to put the signs back out for someone else to find, which is kind of the best. And the loveliest.

Thanks to interest from people in other places, I already have dates on the calendar for Atlanta, GA and Cary, NC, and I heard word there’s going to be a drop in Melbourne, Australia too! Therefore, we’re (okay, I’m) still collecting signs, so if you’d like to send them, please go here and follow the teeny-tiny instruction list.

And remember, you, yes you, are so very beautiful.

Want to join in the fun? Go here. Comment. Get our your stitching. Or your paints. Or your oyster shells (yes!). Or your balloons. Because you deserve that time for yourself, that moment of kindness that you need to let come.