Dear Beautiful friends,
Thank you so much for your emails, tweets, messages and hashtags!
I am honored that you took the time to reach out and share your story from the heart. I hope to have every single one of you sit in my chair someday.
The final decisions about where we are going for the #InMyChairTour have been made, and I must say it was a nearly impossible task. The response was astounding and so very inspiring.
A quick summary for those who are wondering what is this tour you speak of!?
I am leaping into a project I have been dreaming about doing ever since I read the first heartwarming letter I received in response to my TEDxRVAwomen talk, In My Chair. I thought, “I have to meet her.”
In fact, I had that thought for virtually every woman who reached out to me. That steady impulse to connect became my mantra.
“I have to meet her.”
Well... I’m finally making it happen.
I am overjoyed to announce that in 13 days, I will be embarking on a global quest to connect face-to-face with several of the women who have reached out to me. I’ll be traveling around the world, gathering unique, inspiring and eye-opening perspectives on self-esteem, body image, and the often unbearable burden of 21st Century beauty standards.
Part fact-finding mission, part cultural immersion, part makeup tutorial, this research trip seeks to answer the question: “Why is beauty so closely tied to self-acceptance?” The material gathered from the trip will further develop In My Chair as a theatrical production generously commissioned by Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond, Virginia.
I am also over the moon that the multi-talented Matt Polson will be by my side as my cameraman extraordinaire, documenting the journey.
I'm convinced that this is what the world needs more of: women connecting and sharing our stories across borders, cultures --and the many invisible spaces which separate us-- revealing our insecurities, and celebrating each other’s victories. All of this leads to communal understanding and trust in one another. I’m so thrilled to embark on this journey of connection and discovery.
We are never alone. We are so similar in our struggles, desires and dreams; together we really are an unstoppable force. So keep reaching out to others who are in need, stay vulnerable, and please, PLEASE stay in touch!
So much love and gratitude,
Eva
P.S. Stay tuned for my Grand and Glorious idea to connect us all!