Of all the “the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to,” perhaps the most painful and poignant is heartbreak. Whether it comes in the form of a lover leaving, a loved one passing, or even losing a beloved family pet, the keen sense of emptiness and despair can be truly overwhelming. Yet once we pass through the hurt, surviving a broken heart can often lead to greater strength, compassion, and capacity to love.
Join Better Said Than Done online this Thursday, August 11th, as we explore this theme with “The Broken Hearts Club: Stories of Heartbreak.” Our fearless leader Jessica Robinson is your host for the evening, and our brave and bold storytellers are Claire Castell, Laura Deal, Jeff Doyle, Natalie Jones, Bowen Lee, and Rita Rigano. Buy your tickets now!
I wanted to find out if our cast had any wisdom to share on how they’ve navigated heartbreak. I asked them “what is your go-to source of comfort when nursing a broken heart?” Their answers are as varied as they are.
Claire Castell: It’s a toss between meaningless sex with one night stands or ice cream. These days ice cream is easier to find.
Laura Deal: When I’m broken-hearted I find comfort in flowers, clouds, and the beauty of nature that reminds me that the world is bigger and more wonderful than my own problems.
Jeff Doyle: My answer to heartache of any type is to bury myself in work so I don’t have to think about it.
Natalie Jones:
Wine (The big bottle)
Women (My longtime girlfriends who already knew he was a scumbag)
Song (Lucinda Williams, please)
Bowen Lee: My go-to source of comfort is focusing on the new direction I need to be on when newly single. I figure out my new coordinates for navigating life on my own. Whether the course I chart is through heavy seas or calm water, making my life work with what I have now is not only necessary, but fulfilling.
Rita Rigano: My go-to for a broken heart is chocolate. Chocolate bars, chocolate ice cream, chocolate covered almonds. High quality chocolate, not the cheap stuff. There’s some chemical in chocolate that switches neurons in your brain to make you feel happier. Also, the act of eating chocolate is sensuous.
(Normally I restrict these answers exclusively to our tellers, but Jessica really wanted to get in on the fun. Therefore I’m making a rare exception…)
Jessica Robinson: My go-to for mending a broken heart is mindless entertainment. Whether that be a movie or TV show I’ve watched a million times, or a beach read book. And, if we’re being honest here, the mindless entertainment is usually accompanied by a salty and/or creamy treat. Ben and Jerrys Chubby Hubby is the perfect combo – vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzels. I feel better just thinking about it!
Now that our tellers have shared their ways to soothe the pain of lost love, make sure to join us to hear their tales of surviving a relationship’s end! The show starts on Zoom at 8:00 P.M. EDT. The suggested contribution for tickets is $16, with a minimum of $5 and other more generous tiers that let you really show our tellers the love! Click right here to get your ticket!
