Sometimes I'm not coping at all and I feel we're doomed. Othertimes I know everything is temporary, and that this too will pass. I listen to the Rational Boomer podcast which always makes me feel better. Appreciate you, Sara!
The events of the past week have coincided with some devastating news for friends who are like family. In a weird way, I've been grateful to be consumed with supporting them and only reading headlines, rather than doing a deep wallow. Over the years I, too, have done a ton of voter outreach, from League of Women Voters to canvassing for Elizabeth Warren and phone banking for marriage equality back in the day. I am part of a local group that meets weekly to write letters for Vote Forward... my attendance has fallen off, but I think I need to get back on the horse and spend time with people who are (a) devastated and (b) doing the work.
I'm also 7 weeks away from empty nesting and I think increased community engagement needs to be a part of this next phase of my life.
Glad you found the right man and he found you. It's a drag to let men define us, but in your case it got you going in living your own life. Good for you.
Two weeks ago, I came across your book while exploring books and articles online on healing a broken heart and recovering from years of bad dating experiences. It was refreshing to find something that didn’t make me feel pressured to completely change who I am or how I think. Your words deeply resonated with me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Thank you for giving me hope and helping me feel less alone.
broken hearts really can crack a person open. Love your story, and this: "this is what it’s like to feel good about yourself."--esp as it was looking outward. Thank you for sharing this. I'm wondering "how to be in today's world, what to do"--which feels like a spinning go-nowhere, and your cracking open is pointing the way.
Sara I really needed this today. I am so discouraged about the state of our country. Thank you for sharing the Nolan Hamilton piece. I have already forwarded it to folks. I need to figure out how we can all move forward. Otherwise- I may go discover all those family ties I have in Canada thanks to our family tree!
Thanks Sara. I wrote about Zen and politics back in 2008. I had a similar feeling, actually *doing* something eases my desperation. (Besides, sometimes it makes a difference.) Of course, 2008 seems like a golden age now. https://emptysqua.re/blog/zen-and-the-body-politic/
So many good lessons in this piece. But somehow, the bit that's stuck with me the most is the fact that in 2004 a new guy who dated you took the time and the effort to write an email to explain why he was breaking it off. No ghosting, not even a poor simple text, but an actual email to own his choice. The world we used to live in...!
Yeah, I really think I dated in the golden age of online dating. Just after it became normal (rather than some crazy creepy thing as it was perceived before) and before Tinder. I never had a relationship come from it, but I knew many people I did, and all the men i met were perfectly decent guys. (I always did a phone call first and eliminated a few creeps that way--talking on the phone, another thing that I think has died off.)
Sometimes I'm not coping at all and I feel we're doomed. Othertimes I know everything is temporary, and that this too will pass. I listen to the Rational Boomer podcast which always makes me feel better. Appreciate you, Sara!
Thank you Ilona--I will check it out. I definitely need encouragement right now!
Thanks for the Nolan Hamilton piece. May the Fourth Be With You. We soldier on.
Thanks, Joan!
The events of the past week have coincided with some devastating news for friends who are like family. In a weird way, I've been grateful to be consumed with supporting them and only reading headlines, rather than doing a deep wallow. Over the years I, too, have done a ton of voter outreach, from League of Women Voters to canvassing for Elizabeth Warren and phone banking for marriage equality back in the day. I am part of a local group that meets weekly to write letters for Vote Forward... my attendance has fallen off, but I think I need to get back on the horse and spend time with people who are (a) devastated and (b) doing the work.
I'm also 7 weeks away from empty nesting and I think increased community engagement needs to be a part of this next phase of my life.
Michaela, I'm so sorry about your tough news, but thank you so much for all the great work you've done! I agree that community engagement helps!
Glad you found the right man and he found you. It's a drag to let men define us, but in your case it got you going in living your own life. Good for you.
Thank you, Abigail!
Two weeks ago, I came across your book while exploring books and articles online on healing a broken heart and recovering from years of bad dating experiences. It was refreshing to find something that didn’t make me feel pressured to completely change who I am or how I think. Your words deeply resonated with me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Thank you for giving me hope and helping me feel less alone.
Warm greetings from Germany
Elena, thank you so much for telling me that. It makes me so happy to know my book was helpful! ❤️
broken hearts really can crack a person open. Love your story, and this: "this is what it’s like to feel good about yourself."--esp as it was looking outward. Thank you for sharing this. I'm wondering "how to be in today's world, what to do"--which feels like a spinning go-nowhere, and your cracking open is pointing the way.
Tatyana, I’m happy to know this resonated. “How to be in today’s world?” Is a hard question! Especially cuz the world keeps getting weirder
Sara I really needed this today. I am so discouraged about the state of our country. Thank you for sharing the Nolan Hamilton piece. I have already forwarded it to folks. I need to figure out how we can all move forward. Otherwise- I may go discover all those family ties I have in Canada thanks to our family tree!
Oh family ties in Canada sounds good! Glad you like the piece and Hamilton Nolan’s.
Thanks Sara. I wrote about Zen and politics back in 2008. I had a similar feeling, actually *doing* something eases my desperation. (Besides, sometimes it makes a difference.) Of course, 2008 seems like a golden age now. https://emptysqua.re/blog/zen-and-the-body-politic/
I love this piece, Jesse, and that was my experience too. But yeah, that that was 2008 ...
So many good lessons in this piece. But somehow, the bit that's stuck with me the most is the fact that in 2004 a new guy who dated you took the time and the effort to write an email to explain why he was breaking it off. No ghosting, not even a poor simple text, but an actual email to own his choice. The world we used to live in...!
Yeah, I really think I dated in the golden age of online dating. Just after it became normal (rather than some crazy creepy thing as it was perceived before) and before Tinder. I never had a relationship come from it, but I knew many people I did, and all the men i met were perfectly decent guys. (I always did a phone call first and eliminated a few creeps that way--talking on the phone, another thing that I think has died off.)
Talking on the phone feels like a staple of the 90s and early 2000s dating. :)
Don’t know why people don’t like it. Saved me so much time!