01 Nov Heartbreak Beyond Romance : The Cost of Letting People In

This one’s brief and vulnerable, straight from the trenches of sorting things out.

Heartbreak—what is it? To me, it’s a deep, physical ache that starts in the pit of my stomach and courses through my entire body. It feels like wanting to throw up. It steals sleep and clouds my mind, but not in a way that brings calm or contentment. This kind of shutdown is jagged, paralyzing. I feel lost, stuck in a loop of questions: Do I distract myself with Canasta, a book, or writing? How can I soothe this pain lodged in my stomach? How do I process it, move on? How long does this limbo last? Did I handle things fairly?

Who can cause heartbreak? For me, it’s anyone I’ve allowed close enough to my mind and heart to have real impact—friends, family, partners. Heartbreak isn’t limited to romance; it’s about the trust and access we grant to others. I believe that, to some extent, we choose to allow people this access, knowing that vulnerability opens the door to both joy and pain.

But is it realistic, or even wise, to keep people out just to avoid hurt? What would we miss if we shut off the possibility of connection? How much of life’s richness slips by when we shield ourselves from the depth of shared ideas, hopes, dreams, grievances, and philosophies? Pain may come, but maybe it’s a small price for the reward of truly knowing others and being known in return.

If you’re into more tales of my life’s twists and turns (and occasional faceplants), you can dive into more stories HERE

If you’re hosting a pity party and need a good cry, grab a box of tissues and settle in with some gloriously sad and sappy quotes!

Later in the day, I decided to get a free online tarot spread, hoping for some insight. The outcome? The “Death” card from the Major Arcana. Contrary to its ominous name, the Death Card isn’t about literal endings but transformation, change, and new beginnings. It’s about clearing away what no longer serves us to make room for growth. Endings can be painful, yet they’re often the doorway to something new, forcing us to release old patterns and welcome possibilities we couldn’t see before.

As one door closes, another opens, even if the hurt lingers. It’s been eight hours, and it still aches deeply, but maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“The Shattering of a heart when being broken, it is the laudest quiet ever” – Carroll Bryant