Snap Out of It

by Maddie Dawson

“Life is supposed to be fun! Love is supposed to be fun. If your relationship is over, or if you’re hanging on to something that’s no good for you, don’t beat yourself up. Just know this: sometimes love isn’t supposed to last. Sometimes it runs its course and—and then it fades away. It may sound crazy, but grief is just love that doesn’t have a place to go. So love yourself! Love your life! Love your work and your friends and what it’s like to be alive right now. And trust that you’ll love again and open your heart up to new experiences.”

“Listen, earthlings! Stop worrying about attracting people! For heaven’s sake, do the things that you love doing. Read books! Take up clog dancing! Serve meals at the soup kitchen! Train for the space program! Volunteer at a homeless shelter or talk to dogs you see in the park. Dance! Or don’t do any of those things—just lie on the floor and contemplate the ceiling fan if you want. Whatever! Do the things you like to do, concentrate on pleasing and loving yourself—and you’ll be amazed at how much your life will improve. Romance isn’t the way to happiness! There are so many other ways! Stop with worrying about attraction and romance! Just stop it!”

“I just hope you won’t let her fix you too much. I rather like you the way you are.”

Get over yourself and stop trying to figure everything out all the damn time,” he says. “Just live. How about that? See where things land.”