A few years ago, before we moved to our new home in Portugal, I was living in Florida where my early mornings often began with a bike ride. As usual, I’d pedal along the coastal path, taking in the spectacular greenery and ocean views — a quiet ritual that helped me tune into the day ahead.
I would always bike past people on foot taking their morning stroll. On this particular day, I saw a middle-aged woman wearing something so peculiar that it prompted a double-take – I really couldn’t believe it. I had to stare at it to be certain what I saw. She was wearing a t-shirt that prominently read:
“Don’t Bother Me”
Nothing else, no punchline, just, “Don’t Bother Me.”
Frankly, I was so jaw dropped by the message that I didn’t notice much else about her
I would’ve liked to snap a picture but that’s not gonna happen while I’m riding a bike.
Wearing something that says: “Don’t bother me” is like an invisible impenetrable force field that ensures lack of interaction. Of course, without asking her I wouldn’t have the faintest idea about why she wears it. I mean, she may put it on for her walks so she can be left alone. Even as a joke, the old saying “There’s truth in all jest” comes to mind – and even a seemingly humorous message like that can reveal something deeper about our emotional defenses, sending the message:
“Stay away from me!”
In my work, I help people decipher their difficult emotions, so they can acknowledge what they’re feeling and release them. So the importance of wanting to shutout all human interaction from the outside world fascinates me.
“Why?” You might ask.
Human interaction is the singular most potent way we can grow our Souls
In the Emotional Liberation work we do, there are two vital components that we explore – our “Inner” terrain to know what we’re feeling and why we’re feeling it – and the “outer” terrain where we take what we’ve learned out into our world and interact with the people in our orbit. In doing so, we strengthen our internal compass and can course correct based on the stimuli we’re receiving. Yes, it can be messy and hard, but the prize is cutting through your own confusion and chaos so these interactions can become satisfying and joyful.
What I’m getting at is that without people in your life there cannot be feedback to help you grow and evolve. As human beings, we need each other. So when I see someone wearing essentially a sandwich board that screams “Don’t Bother Me,” I experience a wave of sadness wondering how painful it must be to live in a world where the safest option is to wall the world out. (Thoughts? Drop down to the comments section and let me know.)
From “Don’t Bother Me” to Deep Connection: Join Us in Portugal Next Month! (May, 2025)
That t-shirt’s message speaks to how so many people have learned to protect themselves — by pushing others away before they can get hurt. It makes sense – emotional wounds, disappointments, betrayals… they can make solitude feel like the safest option.
But here’s the truth: healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Growth, expansion, and emotional freedom require us to risk connection. To show up, share, and be witnessed — even when it’s scary.
That’s why I’m inviting you to join me and a group of like-minded others for our upcoming Sacred Medicine Retreat in southern Portugal. Through intentional psilocybin assisted inner work, embodied movement, sacred ceremony, and joyful community, we’ll gently dismantle the walls we’ve built to protect ourselves, and discover there’s something even better waiting on the other side: a sense of belonging in relationships – and so importantly, with yourself.
If you’re tired of going it alone and ready to feel deeply supported, you can learn more by clicking 👉 here. I’d love to have you join us.
Let’s step out from behind the “Don’t Bother Me” shield, and walk the path of emotional healing, together.
With Love,
Becca
People may be our “peepholes” into ourselves
The last line of blame before the finger turns inwards
Hey Brock! Well said 👌🏽