8 Ways to Get Over A Break Up

Hey Everyone!

It's probably not a good idea to tell people you've gone through a break up and then disappear for a few months. But as I said in my last newsletter, there was no need to worry about me. I knew I'd be fine and I have been. It's been a little over four months now and this ranks in my top five best decisions of all time. I'm the happiest I've been...maybe ever.

Here's how I got to this happy place in a relatively short time.

1. I tried online dating for about a week. This actually sucked terribly. I'm way too awkward for this and I quickly discovered that there are a lot of weird people out there and not in a fun way. I also realized just how many people I know because of Studio No. 7. For example, a few weeks ago, a photographer came by to shoot the space on behalf of a location scout. As Selena introduced me to him, I immediately realized that he was familiar. He asked to see the outside space and as we step into the courtyard alone he says, I know you. Sigh.

I reluctantly reply, "Yeah, I believe we met online."

He says, "Yeah, on Tinder."

WTF?! Didn't I just say online. Why must we get so specific? It was in that moment that I knew that three days on the aforementioned app was too long. Awkward...just awkward.

2. I went to Chef Ahki's detox retreat. I didn't even know that I needed something like this but between drinking smoothies, multiple sweats (it's a real thing) and getting stuck in seat belts, my world was changed. You can read about it here.

3. I found humor in everything. Someone stole Will's backpack from the space. It was filled with his poetry. Can you imagine stealing a backpack that you think is filled with valuables you can hock only to find out you've stolen poems?! If someone sees someone performing at an open mic and has the thought, "Hmm...this sounds like something Will would write", please let us know.

4. I went out a lot with friends and made some new ones. Bon Ton has taken a lot of my money during this process. I can't explain how much I love this place. It's easily my favorite restaurant opening this year.

5. I ate a lot of pie. My friend Mac came to visit from Ghana and while he was in town he introduced me to his friend's friend (hope you followed that) that owned an Afro Caribbean pie company called Pienanny. I've always felt that the best ideas are the ones that make you go "Why hasn't anyone thought of that already?" Putting curry chicken in a pot pie is genius...and delicious. There are quite a few others including a veggie curry, oxtail shepherd's pie, an ackee and saltfish quiche and a few sweet pies. The best part is that she's popping up at the space and you can now also order from Ubereats. Check out Instagram for more details.

6. I stopped doing things that I don't like. I've written about 30 proposals for events in the past two weeks and I've decided that I'm officially going to stop trying to spell "hors d'oeuvres". As a former third grade spelling bee champion, I'm a little disappointed in myself, but the word is impossible and I'm no longer doing it.

7. I stopped watching the news and scrolling on social media. My brain has never been clearer. I don't recommend everyone do this because I rely on other people to tell me what's going on. (Maybe we can take turns?) I found out that Hugh Hefner died a full day later when Tiffanie stopped by to go through a dinner party she's planning at the space. (Am I the only one that didn't know that Food & Wine magazine launched as an insert in the March 1978 issue of Playboy?)

8. I went to the first Atlanta United game at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. It was an amazing time. I'm not sure how I feel about having to look at another calendar to see when our parking will be jacked up. However, I have finally found an Atlanta sports team that I can call my own.

Missed you guys!

Shannon