To You.
The last few months have been one of the most challenging times of my life. I lost my job, my income, and along with that, a part of my identity. Then, the relationship with the man who I thought I was going to marry, ended abruptly. I never had a back-up plan. I just trusted and gave the relationship everything I had. Since I had given up my apartment along with all my furniture to live together with him, I had no “home” left. It was as if one day I was living this stable, secure and planned life and within moments, I was lost, broken, and just trying to make it through another day.
I never, in my life, felt such paralyzing pain. There were some pretty dark times in those first few weeks, and the thoughts going through my head were toxic and downright crazy. It was as if a different person possessed me, and my worst self surfaced. Pain controlled me, along with sorrow, self-pity and a rage that screamed, “Why is this happening to me? Why is life so unfair?”.
But through the process, I realized, as much as I thought I had “lost everything”, I actually had a whole lot. I had my health, my friends and my family. And that alone, makes one extremely wealthy. My friends lent me their apartments, and with a suitcase of basics, I moved 7 times within a span of two months. My sister from New York called me every single day for two months straight, usually at least twice, to check up on me. My other sister spent nights with me, and handled me with care and a kind of nurture that only an older sister knows. Every conversation revolved around my pain and drama, and not once did they ever seem to get sick of hearing me cry, question or ramble.
My parents walked on eggshells around me, afraid to say the wrong thing. So they just showed me their care in the way they knew how but without prying or asking questions. And if you know typical Asian parents – this is an extremely hard thing to do.
And my friends – oh my dear, dear friends. They listened, comforted me, and even interrupted their own busy lives to spend time with me. A few of them literally picked me up off the floor when I would go spiralling into a dry-heaving cry fest. I’ll never forget, during the first few days, my friends took shifts visiting me – making sure that in my most fragile stage I was not alone. They brought me food and made sure I ate since I was so depressed I had no appetite. They did nothing but love me. Not once did any of my friends or family make me feel like I was an inconvenience or a burden.
And people who I don’t speak to regularly, some just acquaintances from my past – reached out to me, and wrote me messages with such kindness and compassion. Even some old friends who’ve I had past differences with, made the effort to send me a few nice words or a song, to show that they cared.
Strangers who read my articles took the time to send me thoughtful, supportive emails. People from different parts of the word, of different ages and experiences, connected with me and shared their stories. Perfect strangers – reached out with kindness, with no agenda or motive, but from one human to another, wanted to share their care.
Pretty damn amazing. And I feel so fortunate to have such a community of love and support.
So I wanted to write this note to you. All of you. Thank you for being kind, because if it wasn’t for your kindness, love and care, I don’t think I would have been able to pick myself back up. To those who sent me messages of support, or even quietly sent me some positive energy from afar – thank you. You don’t know what a difference it has made in my life.
And if there is anyone else out there, who may be going through something similar, I’ll leave you with this. If you act with love, and use that as your compass, regardless of the challenge you may be facing, however dark, deep and painful it may be – eventually, love will circle back. It may have a funny way of navigating back to you, and sometimes it can take its sweet ol’ time, but it eventually does. And it only gets better from there. I promise.
With love and appreciation,
Amy
Photo credit: Amarpreet Kaur
I fall. I cry. I get back up.
Hi amazing amy!
I can’t help myself from reading your pretty fucking awesome blog .. it amuses me coz its the reality in life that we are encountering. You have no idea about the pain and rage that is coursing through my veins however you made my day.
I love this good shit of yours and will check for the updates as well =)
Hi Amy,
Your articles on breakup have been helping me so much. Especially this one has resonated with me. My boyfriend of 3 years, who I thought I would spend the rest of my life with and get married and have babies with one day has broken up with me and along with our break up I’ve had to move out of our home (that we have renovated together and thought would be my forever home) that he bought. With the move and me going into a rental, I probably won’t be able to have our dog and 2 cats stay with me. They will stay with him and as a result I feel like I’ve lost everything (my security, my future life I thought I had, my home, family life with our furbabies – our family unit). I live in New Zealand and have come back to the States for 2 months to heal my wounds with my parents and sisters by my side. I can relate to how you felt lost, sad, crazy, out of control, and unbearable pain I never knew I could feel. I too have been going to dark places when looking back at my relationship with my ex. Still wishing I was with him but yet so hurt that the person I loved the most and trusted the most… could hurt me so much. Your article has helped me realise that what I’m feeling is normal. I can’t stop crying and I can’t sleep at night. This pain is so terrible you don’t think you will be able to get through it, but your reminders help pull me out of that dark place to let me know that it will get better… even though I can’t see that for myself at this moment.
Thanks for being so open about your past breakups and writing about them. It’s helped give me strength when I’m having a hard time finding it within myself.
Kind regards,
Ingrid
Hi Ingrid,
Thank you for your comment and for sharing a part of your story. I understand you must be going through an excruciating painful time right now. It’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re in the midst of it, but I do promise you, it gets better through time (even if you can’t exactly feel it getting better).
The missing, the feeling of loss and hurt, the dark and negative thoughts – these are all a part of the grieving process. It’s almost more painful than someone dying. Know that right now, the chemicals in your brain are completely out of wack – detaching is uncomfortable to say the least. In fact, when they’ve done studies of people going through a breakup, the same part of the brain is activated as drug addicts who are craving their next fix. You are normal – your brain is going through withdrawal. It will take time for the chemicals to get back to an equilibrium.
I highly recommend you read a book called, Changing the Habit of Being Yourself. It provides tools for you to rewire your brain. This will help you be able to self-soothe, and calm your nervous system. Try to exercise, because you will stimulate dopamine – the happy hormone, and right now you need that. Even if you feel like being by yourself, try to surround yourself with community because this will also help.
You cannot see it now, but this door closing is going to enable another door to open for you. You will become a stronger woman. You will know more of who you are and what you want. You will get another chance of creating the life you want, and the exciting thing is, you get a blank canvas.
Sending you light and love,
Amy
Hi Amy, I’ve come across your blog a while back and have been following it ever since. I love your blog, let me emphasize LOVE.
Do you have any writing tips or any advices because you write so beautifully. It would be so so great to hear from you.
Have a great day, take care.
Emma.