I won't leave myself alone

For me, this is a reminder that my strength always lies within me, and only I have the power to abandon myself—or to begin loving myself again. It’s a promise to the self: I will not abandon who I am—my truth, my needs, my heart’s desires.

The inspiration to create this exhibition came from inner reflections about belonging. At first, I had to face the pain I had caused myself by trying to belong in places and contexts that weren’t truly right for me. There were times when the desire to belong was stronger than the ability to truly listen to my heart. And yet, belonging is a fundamental human need. As human beings, we need closeness and safe relationships, a sense of community, and connection to something greater than ourselves.

But our vessel of belonging is also filled by the deep connection we have with our own inner emotional landscapes. When we truly know and accept ourselves, our choices and words become more authentic. This requires us to honor both the beauty and the pain in our experiences. It’s not necessarily easy, but only through this honesty—by being real—can we truly belong somewhere that feels good and safe. Only then can we form deeper connections with others, be held, and also hold space for our loved ones.

This exhibition contains glimpses of the past and the future—stories from my own life and ones I’ve picked up from others that touched me in some way. Today, I understand more clearly that belonging is, above all, about being in contact with all the different parts of our soul.

It’s so important to take time—unapologetically—to care for ourselves. I believe you know what you need in order to do that. If we never pause, how can we ever know if we’re truly on the right path?

The first drawings in this exhibition were made a few years ago, yet somehow the theme continues to carry me. In so many moments, that message—“I won’t leave myself alone”—has been an essential anchor and reminder for me. And I’ve heard from many of you just how deeply this message has touched you, too.

I hope that the messages in this exhibition will come back to you in those moments when you feel like abandoning yourself or leaving yourself alone with your feelings. Give yourself the chance to be understood and held. But above all—listen to the voice of your heart. What supports you? What gives you that feeling of being truly held?

Sandra Lepik, artist name Ruudu Rahumaru (1991), is an artist and photographer from Elva, Estonia. The name Rahumaru symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the dance between polarities. As a photographer, her main focus is capturing people’s soul journeys through nature-inspired symbolism. Her current themes as both an artist and human being revolve around raising awareness of mental well-being and exploring personal vitality. Nature—its beauty, changeability, and resilience—is a constant source of inspiration. In recent years, drawing has also become an important form of expression for her. Through vivid colors and patterns, her inner world becomes clearer and more whole.

Note: All works displayed in this exhibition are also available for purchase.
If interested, please contact: RuuduSandra@gmail.com