So, I (23F) have this close friend Holly (24F) who recently started a jewelry business. She makes earrings, necklaces, and rings out of clay, and they’re actually really pretty and unique. The only problem is that she’s really into the whole “art therapy” thing, and every single item she makes has a deep, emotional meaning tied to her personal life.

A week ago, she invited me to her first solo art show, where she was showcasing her clay jewelry collection. She’s really excited about it, and I wanted to support her, so I said I’d definitely come. A few days before the show, she sent me a message asking me to wear a pair of her earrings during the event. She explained that these earrings were “representative of her struggle with boundaries” and that they were emotionally charged in a way that could “help others unlock their own personal growth.”

Now, I appreciate Holly’s artistic journey, but… the earrings were huge. I mean, they were massive—neon green, with sharp, jagged edges, and they literally looked like they were trying to break free from the ear. I told her I didn’t feel comfortable wearing something so bold for the show because I didn’t want to draw attention away from her work. I thought it’d be more appropriate to wear something more subtle, like a simple pair of hoops or studs.

She was really upset when I told her no. She said I was undermining her emotional expression and that if I couldn’t wear her art, then I “wasn’t truly supporting her.” She even posted on her story about how “people who aren’t ready to wear the art don’t deserve to see the soul behind it.”

I feel bad because she’s my friend, and I did want to support her, but I also don’t want to wear earrings that make me look like a glowing cactus.

AITAH for not wearing her emotionally charged earrings to her art show?