Weekend Adventure - Van Gogh Exhibit

The color blue and stars have always been two of my favorite things. So, ever since I was young, I’ve always liked Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Starry Night. When I kept seeing ads for the Van Gogh exhibit in DC, I decided it would be worth checking out. So that’s what I decided to do with my family for my birthday weekend.

It was an FFO (“forced family outing,” as we called them growing up - - Turned out it was a Fun Family Outing, too!

The Immersive Room—20,000 sq ft with light and sounds featuring a two-story motion projection of Van Gogh’s most famous works—was awesome.

I saw several people come in with baby strollers but didn’t hear a peep out of any children. I thought, “What a great place to come and relax with an infant.” Relaxing music, mesmerizing imagery all around. I had a sense of calm I haven’t felt in awhile. 

Brought me back to this memory: When I was only a few weeks postpartum with my second baby, I remember pushing the stroller around the pool with my sleeping newborn, listening to the most relaxing music I’d ever heard, being played by an instructor teaching a water aerobics class.

After the class was over, I approached the teacher and asked what she was playing, saying it was the most relaxed and calm I’d felt all week. It took her a few minutes to find the name and album. Normally, I’d say don’t worry about it, not wanting to put her out, but I waited patiently. I needed that song in my life.

I didn’t realize at the time that I was experiencing postpartum anxiety—my mind was constantly racing and it was nearly impossible to relax. That song was bliss, allowing me to slow down and be present for a few moments of much needed calm.  

I had that same feeling sitting in The Immersive Room at the Van Gogh exhibit. If you’re looking for something different to do with your family, find out if there’s an exhibit near you: https://vangoghexpo.com/

My kids loved it. My four-year-old said, “When I grow up, I want to be an artist.” (Hopefully a more stable one than Van Gogh )

The exhibit also featured several Van Gogh quotes. My favorite:

“Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.”

We all need to keep this one in mind!

Can’t make it to the exhibit but need some simple ways to slow down and recharge? Check out my stress-stoppers freebie here.

And in case you’re wondering, the song by the pool was Global Journey, Piano by the Sea – Orithyia by Moonlight. So soothing!