One of the most amazing things about being an artist is that people tell me all the time how art I’ve created or produced has been really important to them in times of trouble and strife. Many times I hear “I have been going through a really terrible break-up and Episode 2 of your podcast really helped me out.” I’ve also heard more than a few times about how Zoe’s Break-Up Survival Guide has been passed around like a water cooler article to friends in need.
I’m so glad these resources exist, especially in light of the huge break-up they came out of for me.
Having (yet another) friend need this list this weekend prompted me to add a few updates. I share them with you below.
1. You already have all the tools you need to get through this.
It’s true, Dorothy.
Remind yourself of this every moment you feel desperate. Nowadays I can use the benchmark of “my fiance cheated on me for 8 months” or “I got laid off after 5 years with the same firm” as a way in which to gain the perspective I need to keep moving. I survived those things, I know I can survive whatever else comes my way.
As queers, fat people, people of color, women, gender non-conforming folks, etc… we have been put through the paces so much by society, our familes and ourselves, we are already survivors. Hell, the fact that I made it through my teens without succeeding at suicide is a testament to an inherent survival instinct that I attribute to being very blessed and watched over.
I will say that knowing that I have the tools to deal with heartbreak is sometimes cold comfort. At this point, almost three years since my ended engagement and having dated some women who have fucked with my heart big time, I feel like I have a Master’s Degree in Heartbreak. I’ve been through this, I know I’ll get through this again and live to love again. My heart doesn’t always know that, though. Having the gentle reminder from my brain is helpful.
2. Get co-defriendant with someone.
In the first few weeks of my big break-up I really needed help knowing what to do because the terrible echo of pain so consumed me. It was nice having a friend I could call on a moment’s notice and bring my shih tzu and an overnight bag and have somewhere to be that wasn’t my empty house, or have plans to go out or whatever I felt up to at the moment. When you designate a Captain Distraction, it’s especially nice because you will likely feel so different from moment to moment it’s hard to keep yourself abreast with your feelings, let alone your myriad friends. So if you have someone who has a lot of emotional and time availability see if they’re up to be your life raft for a little while.
3. Create community around your break-up.
When I was going through my big break-up I made a special filter on the blog community I was in of other people who were dealing with big break-ups around the same time. It was really comforting to know I wasn’t alone in the pain, to hear their process and to exchange mix cds. It was also interesting to notice our different benchmarks, how rebounding affected people and how their recovery was so varied. Maybe now you might do a twitter feed or facebook filter or just have a group email list.
I also threw a big New Year’s Eve party/ritual that year for me and 10 friends where we burned letters to our exes. It was nice to get to do that as a community.
4. Take lots of hot pictures of yourself.
If you have the cash, I suggest seeking out a queer photographer home girl like Molly at Fat Bottom Boudoir or Sophie of Shameless Photography. They know how to shoot you looking your best (in any body) and will help you reclaim your body and sexuality.
If you don’t have the cash, get a bestie, go to the MAC counter, get a free makeover. Then go to the Torrid dressing rooms or some other place full of hot fat girl clothes and try things on that are impossibly sexy with shoes that are ridiculously tall and take photos of each other.*
Use these hot pictures as new profile photos on Facebook. Looking hot is great revenge. It’s like a photo affirmation.
5. Throw yourself into a big art project.
My mom gave me this advice when I was crying on the phone to her during Thanksgiving. Thus, FemmeCast was born. It was a huge project (and continues to be, anyone know a good audio editor?) but being able to do something productive with my pain was totally helpful. It gave me something else to talk about and something else to think about during my worst moments.
Do you have something percolating you’ve always wanted to do? Just start.
6. Rebounding is a terrible idea.
Zoe told me when I was having my rebound that you end up having to “deal with that shit PLUS interest.” She’s totally right, too. Rebounding feels great. Why feel the heartbreak when you can focus on the joy of new love and not see any of the other red flags about how bad of an idea it is to date that person? I used to be queen rebound and I can attest it just makes things harder in the long run. Your gunk gets all jammed up and it takes a lot longer to sort through it. It also puts a lot more pressure on the new relationship to be the big savior for the heartbreak that came before.
There is no ibuprophin for heartache. It’s just through it. Rebounding is like creating a migraine out of a bad headache.
7. QVC.
I used to turn on QVC in the background whenever I was home alone to make me feel less lonely. A few months later I got a roommate, which definitely helped more. But if you’re walking around a newly empty house, QVC is nonstop enthusiastic chatter and it helps to drown out the terribles.
8. Heartbreak is an opportunity to learn about yourself.
I got a great email from my friend Genne after the disastrous rebound from my big break-up ended that began with the sentence “I don’t want to say that your picker is broken but…” and included some really great thoughtful questions to ask myself and work through in my recovery. Now, at the time I was a little taken aback at the idea that I was responsible for bringing in the inappropriate people in my life but I did see what she was saying.
My artist’s life coach Lynnee Breedlove said something similar to me during our last session. There is a reason you bring the people into your life when you do. If you can work through the reasons they’re in your life and what you can learn from the experience, it only makes you a more attuned to how to pick the next time around. And just like taking a hot photo for your facebook or creating some amazing art, it’s all about taking the time you need to create something beautiful out of your pain.
***
I hope these nuggets are helpful to some of y’all out there. Comment with your favorite heartbreak tip below and one random commenter will get a copy of a break-up cd mixed by me. I’ll pick at midnight EST on September 27, 2010.
And while we’re on theme, the next Rebel Cupcake is heartbreak themed. Lots of danceable heartbreak songs and halloween costumes!
*Always be kind to your shop girls and if they ask you to stop taking pictures be nice about it. For $10 an hour no one wants to have to tell you about store policies, so they’re doing it because they have to. Also always hang up your clothes neatly and right side out on the hangers.
I always seem to date people who are totally wrong for me and all my friends and family constantly point it out… It’s hard to hear, but I’m trying to work on it. I was wondering if you would be willing to share some of the questions your friend Genne asked you that helped you figure this all out. Thanks! my e-mail is thefiercefemme@yahoo.com
I’m playing on the internet to keep myself ‘busy’ post breakup. And voila… I stumble upon this. Brilliant. Amazing. Thank you!
i know so many other people who have gone through breakups in the past 2-3 months…i need to start creating some community with them! taking hot photos is a good idea, too.
My favorite way to deal with a break up is to cry to my mama, have some drinks with friends, dance until my feet give out, throw myself into my school work, and bake like my life depends on it!
um why haven’t i read this cover to cover?! this is perfecto
From listening to your podcast, it sounds like we had very similar breakups. I am actually getting a boudoir shoot done with Molly in a few weeks!
I also came out of my breakup realizing I’m not butch, I’m a queer fat femme, and that has been the most liberating thing ever. I really want to thank you for your podcasts and blog and for tuning me in to Re/Dress (to which I made a pilgrimage–all the way from Utah!) where I got tons of new clothes.
For me, finding femme was all about finding myself post-breakup, so I love that you deal with this issue in your work.
My favorite breakup tip is going on friend dates. Cocktails, dancing, dinner & a movie, all the things you’d do with your significant other you do with one or more of your besties instead. Of course you also document and post it so your ex can see all the fun you’re still having without them. 😉
I love you. I love this. Thank-you for the reminders about all that we have learned in the last 12 + years. I’m taking life one day at a time… feeling the emotions as they come and being present (also sleeping when needed).