Way Too Good at Goodbyes
- Olivia James
- Sep 21, 2024
- 2 min read
I am sure that many of you know the popular song by Sam Smith “Too Good at Goodbyes”. This popped up on the radio while I was driving to work and tears started falling down my face. I have become an expert at saying goodbye. As I continued to drive in tears, I pondered what that meant.
Eva knew me when I was going through my divorce. Even though she is considerably younger than me, she was my rock at the time. Years of emotional abuse from my ex-husband left me numb and cut off from my feelings. Eva was extremely concerned. “Snap out of it! “She screamed at me one day. “You have no money, nowhere to live and you left your career to move to a city where your ex could start a business. Why aren’t you freaking out???”
Why wasn’t I freaking out? Well, part of the reason was that I was zoned out on anti-anxiety medication that my doctor had prescribed, but that was not the only reason that I was calm. Trauma had enhanced my ability to disconnect, and I learned how to say goodbye to many things throughout my marriage:
Goodbye to sleep and a peaceful existence.
Goodbye to the possibility of having children.
Goodbye to my life’s savings.
Goodbyes can be tragic and often sad, and it is important to process the feelings that come with grief and loss, but goodbyes can also open a door to the path of new beginnings and allow you to say hello to hope, happiness, and success. I am too good at goodbyes, but I am also really good at moving forward and looking toward what can be, and for that I am grateful.
Until next time,
❤️
Olivia
Check out Chapter 7 where saying an unexpected “goodbye” is necessary
