Last night was monumental for me. While trivial to some, it was so much more. If you know me, you know I just went through an exceptionally difficult breakup. If you don't know me, know this: it was excruciating. Life shattering. He was my best friend. As Carrie Bradshaw would say, he was my "Mr Big." Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of heartache, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, hit me as hard as this. Yesterday I saw that Neil Young was coming to town and I just HAD to see him. Seeing as how I know nobody in this town and it was last minute, I decided I was going to go alone. So many people turn down amazing opportunities in life because they're afraid of doing it alone and even though it was just a concert, I knew I couldn't let anything else pass me by, including this. As the show began, I sat alone in my seat. To my surprise, I wasn't overcome with emptiness as I had expected. The lights dimmed as Neil walked walked across the stage, picked up his guitar, and began singing "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." If you're familiar with Young's music, you know that his voice has a way of going straight to your heart and coursing through your veins. The next thing I knew, I was crying. I mean, I was really crying. I'm talking sniffing, sobbing, gasping for air crying. And it wasn't necessarily because I was sad; it was because for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was going to be okay. I knew that I was far from being cured and that I was still going to have plenty of moments of uncertainty, but overall, I was going to get through this. After the show, I spent the bus ride home reflecting on my night. With black streaks of mascara across my face and the lingering smell of patchouli in my hair, I opened the door to my empty house and for once, I felt at ease. I know I have a long road ahead of me but I'm gonna be okay. My whole point to this post is this: if you are going through a breakup or just having a hard time in general, I encourage you to go out of your comfort zone and find yourself. Even if getting out of your comfort zone just means getting out of bed, do it. And do it alone. You'll be okay. I'll be okay. Okay? ❤️Kristin (at Springfield, Oregon)