Uncle Fredrick

I have dealt with many types of heartbreak since the age of 15.  I have had the serious boyfriends who gave me pretty rings. I have had the guys I was crazy about, but didn't warrant such affection. The ones I was ambivalent about. Those who stroked my ego, only to break every fiber of it down when they left. Boyfriends who said hurtful things. The ones who never called back.  The guys who tried to breakup in the least hurtful way.

During my junior year of college I suffered from one of the most crushing of breakups. It took a long time to sort out and it had me ignoring my pride and asking for help.  After many tearful sessions and weeks of barely eating, I came up with a way to help reestablish my confidence.

Quotes.

They were quotes from breakup books, songs, and my favorite heroines. While it may seem obvious that everything happens for a reason, when faced with low confidence, seemingly perpetual sadness, and the on campus/on Facebook sightings of my ex, I needed all the reinforcement I could get.  I placed them all over my desk. I put a "Feel Beautiful" magazine cut out beside my mirror.  I surrounded myself with my favorite books, to help remind me what made me special and unique. 

A pine tree cutout that is covered in compliments from my sisters that is taped to my mirror.  I have a quote from Eat Pray Love on the wall beside my bed.  FEARLESS is written in bold letters on my shelf. I have a saying from Jillian Harris, the Bachelorette who I heavily identified with ["You have to slay a few dragons before you find your Prince"].

My favorite however is a quote from Portrait in Sepia, by Isabelle Allende.  The protagonist's name is Aurora del Valle.  She goes through a terrible heartbreak during her marriage, yet does love again, after she has taken time to heal. 

"Life is long, Aurora.  At this moment everything looks black, but time heals and erases nearly all things. This stage is like walking blindly through a tunnel; it seems to you there is no way, but I promise there is. Keep going, child."

I will keep going as Uncle Fredrick as advised.