Whether it’s from a boy, a girl, a parent, a hobby, or yourself, everyone needs to go through heartbreak once in their life to appreciate the times where your heart is full.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).

Heartbreak comes in all different sizes. You may be heartbroken over a lost relationship with a friend or ex-boyfriend, and that’s OK. You may be heartbroken by a parent who doesn’t come around often enough, or doesn’t believe in you. You can be heartbroken over a sport you’re not able to play anymore. You can even be heartbroken by yourself, and this may hurt the worst. We’re always told to love others, that we are here on this earth to make other people’s lives easier. But what about ourselves? To love others, we need to love ourselves first. I’ve been told throughout my years of going to church and school, that before someone else can love you, you need to love yourself — and it’s true. Going through heartbreak from within not only makes you stronger, but it helps clear your vision about what’s important in the world.

Heartbreak caused by another person goes along with loving yourself. If you care enough about yourself to not see the wounds inflicted by another person, it won’t hurt as bad. When another person you trusted hurts you, yes, it will hurt. But overcoming that will only make you stronger. As Ryan Gosling says, “I’ve learned it’s really important to not limit yourself. You can do what you really love to do, no matter what it is.” Now take that to heart and go love yourself and others!