The Anatomy Of Heartbreak, Or Lessons About Love For My Younger Self | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Dating

The Anatomy Of Heartbreak, Or Lessons About Love For My Younger Self

What I wish I'd known.

523
The Anatomy Of Heartbreak, Or Lessons About Love For My Younger Self
Martin Vorel, http://martinvorel.com/fotoobrazy/

No amount of metaphor will fix the damage that unrequited love does to the teenage heart. One day, you will find someone, you will look at them like they are magic, and they will look at you like you are not. Just because they do not love you back does not make them a galaxy or an ocean or a night sky or something poisonous inside of your veins—it simply means that they do not love you back. You will want to compare them to something so vast and infinite that you will not have to claim the responsibility of cleaning up their mess. You will do it anyway. You will still be magic without them.

You might cry for a day, or a week, or several months, and it will feel like your world is sinking in some kind of apocalyptic flood where you have forgotten how to swim. It might feel like drowning. It might feel a little like being shot. You will blame them and yourself in equal parts; remember that you are both still young and every problem fades with enough time and chocolate.

Remember that it is not your job to fix anyone. You will want to cut into them, change their minds, mold them into someone you can curl comfortably into the curves of. Don't. If they cannot change without you, they will never change with you. They may not know how to yet. They may not want to face the parts of themselves that you remind them of. Don't blame yourself for their fear.

There is no pain Ben and Jerry's ice cream can't fix.

Let yourself wallow, just a little bit. No one will be able to tell you to "get over it" convincingly enough to actually stitch you back together, so let yourself fall apart. The energy it takes to force together a star that wants to become a supernova is dangerous when held captive for too long. When the sun comes up again you'll remember that the galaxy actually didn't fall down around you while you were looking the other way.

Baring too much of your soul will always be better than hiding it inside of your ribcage. Don't just wear your heart on your sleeve, wear it in the soles of your shoes and the breast pocket of your favorite coat, too. There will never be a moment where there is too little of you left to give away, so be generous with yourself.

Let them teach you about yourself, your heart, others, and the world. Let them hurt you and support you and guide you through the mistakes, even if they don't know how those things will change you. Let them be, and don't despise them for being something you didn't think they were. Forgive.

Love yourself in the end. That will be the only happy ending you ever need.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

67976
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

6961
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments