How to get over your breakup in 5 easy outfits
Heartbreak sucks but your outfit doesn’t have to
Hi friends,
Whether you’re the dumper or dumpee, whether your relationship lasted two weeks or two years, and whether it’s the first or last time - break ups suck.
If you haven’t heard the really awesome story where I’m a sad potato, check out my post about Costa Rica to catch up. But basically - I got dumped. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Hannah, you’re FANTASTIC. Who in the world would break up with you??” And ugh you’re so right because I’m great but sometimes things just don’t work out. So instead of wallowing in sadness and self-pity (I already did that), I decided to channel this into some fantastic outfits.
So please enjoy my hysterically tragic stages of outfits as I navigate life as a rockin’ single lady again.
Be the Potato
Ah the potato stage. This is admittedly the the worst of all your outfits and that is completely okay. It’s not about looking cute, it’s about what’s most comforting as you cry to your mom, get consoled by your besties, and obsess over every little detail of the relationship. The aftermath is never pretty and it’s just an unfortunate fact that I’m an ugly crier.
But you be a potato. You veg, you cocoon, you swaddle yourself in all the blankets and cry and have tissues and watch sad movies and listen to Possibility by Lykke Li on repeat. Calories don’t count during this period and I’m so proud of you if you manage a shower every few days. We all have our comfort clothes and this is the time to let them do their job.
Don’t let anyone tell you you’re taking too long or too short to grieve, and feel whatever it is you need to. However you handle it is the correct way because it’s right for you. So wear what’s going to give you the most consolation: your ratty t-shirts, the hoodie you still have from your ex (and may or may not give back), yoga pants that have seen better days - whatever it is it doesn’t matter, it’s what makes you feel better.
This is literally the only photo I have during that crapshoot of a week and it kind of makes me sad just to look at it.
But I had two separate times where dear friends brought me care packages filled with snacks, tissues, flowers, an amazing portrait of Beans, and a trophy that says girl power because at this point I can’t trust men. It’s really your support system that gets you through the bad times so make sure to treasure those people.
Make sure to cuddle you furbabies too, they are the best therapy out there.
2. Kiss My Sass
Now we get to the fun part. Once you’ve cried all you can, sometimes it helps to get a bit angry. Anger gives you drive, it can kick start you and pull you out of the pit of despair and into, at the very least, a more productive stage. Don’t stay in this place forever but man does it help you get over the slump. So whether you’re angry at him, at yourself, or just the world, let yourself feel this new stage of anger and wear your most strong and intense outfit that encompasses what you feel.
Combat boots, all black, and tights are the way to go and make sure to rock a leather jacket or two as well. This is the part where you burn their clothes, turn their picture into a dart board, or simply scream into a pillow because life sucker punched you in the face.
Now I’ll be honest with you, I never really hit this stage, although my friends and mom did for me I guess. I’m pretty soft hearted and don’t hold onto anger for very long so I guess I’m not really surprised I didn’t hit this stage but man was it fun dressing like I had. As a side note: tights? So much fun, I will now be wearing them nonstop this winter.
These t-shirts, besides the fact that they’re giving me the correct amount of sass I need for these outfits, were actually made by my bestie Taylor! If you’re as in love with them as I am, her Etsy shop is: Tayloredtocreate
3. New Me, Who Dis?
Somehow, whenever I go through periods of loss and pain and grief, there’s this drive that comes from inside of me. There’s this pull, this overwhelming desire to be different. It’s a time when all I want to do is revolutionize my life, change from everything I was to become something new. Now, you don’t need to change for anyone, or despite them, but if you need to just not be you for a while, well, that’s okay too.
This isn’t necessarily the most rational part of your life and you have to be careful about the decisions you make but the positive side to this stage is you can start to explore what you might like. Don’t get rid of everything you used to like when you’re sad but also allow yourself room to grow and change where and when you need to.
Now is the time to try every trend you’ve always wanted to. Go crazy with flare pants, wacky prints, or that daring pair of shoes you’ve always wanted. You want to try crop tops or full on fringe? Bright colors or androgynous looks? How about full on leather or denim? I don’t know, give it a go! It’s kind of like in the movies when the main character is getting ready for something and they do a montage of different outfits - that’s me.
This is actually the most powerful stage. After heartbreak, we’re never quite the same - I know I’m not. This stage is where you’re forced to take a hard look at your life and at yourself and it’s the perfect time to change what you need and nurture what you have.
4. Spice It Up
Once you settle into yourself again, it’s time to feel confident about that. You finally start to feel good about yourself - and you should! You are an independent woman who don’t need no man and it’s time you start dressing like it.
Bring out the red dress, bring out that beautiful and spicy dress you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Grab that pair of shoes that just makes you feel good. Just wear something amazing that will make you look as confident as you feel.
You be lookin’ fine in your hottest outfit and it’s time to grab the girls, have a fun night out, and finally start enjoying life as a single lady. Don’t dress to impress a man but yourself - and also strangers you pass by and they go “omg she looks great where’d she get that??”.
This is where you be extra indulgent - so you’re about to see 50 photos of me in this dress because I did not spend an hour curling my hair for nothing folks.
5. Back to You
Eventually life settles into a rhythm that soothes instead of haunts you. Life goes on and the birds still chirp in the morning, the leaves on the hanging willow branches still wave in the evening breeze, and your heart keeps beating. That heart might not be the exact same one as before it was broken but it’s stronger now and it’s grown and learned and is hopefully still just as open to love and happiness as it was before.
In the end, regardless of what I wear or how I change my appearance, inside I’m still just a soft-hearted cinnamon roll who lives in flowy dresses, graphic tees, and a great pair of denim. I’m an emotional wreck who loves animals, art, travel, and living life to the fullest and, at my core - that will never change.
You go back to your favorite sweaters, that perfectly fitting pair of jeans, and that one outfit that makes you feel the most - well… you. You go back to who you were and what you wore before the pain, before them and that’s when you know you’ve healed.
No matter what stage I’m in or where I’m at, I’ll always be me and I'll try to remember that it’s a beautiful world out there full of cute outfits and even more fish in the sea.
I hope you enjoyed this hysterical yet tragic journey through some fun outfits and some not so fun emotions. Catch up on my other posts here! (And don’t forget to subscribe!)
