Surviving a Broken Heart: Go Ask Wally

NATICK, MA - He’s a bonafide Internet sensation, and probably the biggest bunny celebrity to hit social media. Wally the Bunny has 217,000 followers on Instagram, and he’s been featured in numerous media outlets, including People Magazine, CNN, Good Morning America and the Boston Globe.

Now, Wally (and Molly) assist and entertain Patch readers each week with the advice column “Go Ask Wally.” Each week, we’ll field questions from readers, and pick the most interesting one, with Wally answering one question each Monday on Natick Patch.

QUESTION: Hi Wally!! Congratulations on all your success!!

I have a quick question, but I fear it may not be a simple one. I have been suffering from a broken heart for the last year. My relationship of five years ended suddenly and I still miss my boyfriend every day. I am trying to move on, to enjoy life and to be happy...but sometimes it is just too hard. Am I trying to rush things? Because I feel like I am putting on a brave face to make other people happy when all I really want to do is just still be sad. Maybe rubbing some Wally-belly would make me feel better... :) Thank you Wally & Molly!!! You are a bright spot in my day!!

ANSWER: Hi, Debbie. It’s ME, Wally!

A broken heart?! How sad! If only I could repair it with my glue gun! But don’t despair – there’s another way to heal your heart. Just grab your bathing suit, water wings (unless you’re an advanced swimmer), and imagination! We’re going to the beach!

Emotions, like waves, rise and fall, come and go. We must learn to embrace and ride these inevitable waves of emotion – a daunting task without a surfboard! I applaud you, Debbie, for not resisting your sadness or pretending it’s not there. Can you imagine asking an ocean wave to stop waving? It would never listen! So we shouldn’t demand that sadness stop being so sad! When your relationship ended, you lost someone who was very important to you. Loss is painful and complex; it can tangle your emotions and shatter your spirit. Of course you are sad! Allow yourself to feel your feelings. You are still riding a wave of sadness; trust that it will safely carry you ashore.

The presence of sadness, however, does not preclude happiness. You must allow your sadness and happiness to live together, in harmony! Imagine a sailboat floating atop your wave of sadness. This boat represents you and your happiness. Although your sadness is nearby, you must begin to welcome aboard all the people and things that make you feel most like you. Not the Debbie-in-a-relationship you, but the Debbie-who’s-exquisite-just-because-she’s-Debbie you. Who are the people who love you without your brave face on? What activities make you feel most alive and inspired? What have you always wanted to learn more about? The answers are within you, Debbie. You just need to ask!

As you continue to fill your life with the things you genuinely love, the seas will become calmer and your wave of sadness will temper. Sail on, Captain Debbie! The shore is not far!

Wally (and his mom) fields questions that range from life’s conflicts and local politics to social etiquette to general hygiene and fashion tips. If Wally thinks the question is beyond his scope of expertise, he will pass it to his administrative team.

So what say you? Have you a question for Wally? We will compile them here at Patch and feature one question and answer each week. Send your questions to charlene.arsenault@patch.com. Or post your query in the comments section.

Photo Credit: courtesy Molly Prottas