The One Love You Can’t Afford to Lose

I was listening to The Mel Robbins Podcast when she shared a quote from Viola Davis that stopped me cold:

“You are the love of your life.”

I had to pause. Let that sink in.

Because if that’s true—why do I sometimes treat myself like an afterthought?

Would I EVER...

• Speak to someone I love the way I talk to myself?
• Let someone else speak to me the way I do in my own head?
• Ignore the needs of someone I care about the way I push aside my own?

Aye. That stings.

For years, I showed up for others in ways I never showed up for me. I hid my struggles, my needs, my truth—thinking that if I kept them locked away, I wouldn’t be judged or rejected.

But hiding doesn’t protect us—it disconnects us.

How Hiding Shows Up

It’s not just keeping a secret. It's...

• Saying “I’m fine” when you’re not.
• Shrinking yourself to fit in.
• Overcommitting so you don't have to sit with yourself.
• Dismissing your own needs—while making space for everyone else’s.
• Avoiding vulnerability, even with the people who love you most.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Maybe You Need to Hear This, Too

Hiding doesn’t just affect you—it shapes how you lead, how you connect, and how you show up. When we hide, we send a message (even unintentionally) that others should, too.

And that’s not the kind of space I want to create.

So, what if we tried something different?

• Want to be a better leader? Unhide—in ways that feel safe.
• Want to build trust? Unhide—with people who support you.
• Want deeper relationships? Unhide—at your own pace.

Why? Because unhiding isn’t just about others. It’s about allowing yourself to be fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved—by YOU.

That work starts within—with how you speak to yourself, how you honor your own needs, and how you step forward—fully seen, fully present, fully human.

I am the love of my life.

Now, your turn: What’s one small way you can unhide and love yourself today? Drop a comment below—your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Warmest, Ruth