Sometimes the pain we feel is so intense that we think our hearts could explode. Just know that your heart cannot actually break from this pain.
Sure, stress and trauma can cause damage to your body – that’s not the kind of breaking I am talking about. I’m talking about the kind of heart break that is actually pain in your heart center – your soul. This ache can last a long time – even when our physical heart and body are doing just fine. 
There are ways to recover from heart ache. First, understand that it is okay for you to feel this pain. Really feel it. Cry. Get angry. Spend some time in your shell processing everything. Eat ice cream.
Then, begin to come out of your cocoon. Talk to friends. Talk to a therapist or counselor. Spend some time in nature. Exercise. Eat well. Laugh at something really stupid. Begin a gratitude journal. Each step you take to remove your shell will reveal your butterfly wings – and soon you will be flying again.
Sometimes it feels like we will never be the same after going through an emotional trauma. We tell ourselves we will never trust again – never give of ourselves again – never let anyone hurt us again. We say these things out of fear of feeling this heart ache all over again.
This year I learned that heart ache is just another part of life, like getting old, paying taxes and regretting that time you got drunk at a college football game and danced in the isles while live streaming on Facebook. ( Please tell me I am not the only one who has done that.)
But the great thing is that though our heart might feel ready to explode from the pain – it will not. It will continue to beat strong for you and help you recover and give love once again.
Genie Mathews 