Dear Dolly

key is to externalize your spirit. Think of her as a friend or a twin sister. A girl you’ve known your whole life who is going to be with you until your last day on Earth. You do share your life with someone. She is your company for ever. Listen to her, nourish her, challenge her. Learn
together. Be in conversation with her always – remove her from situations when she is unhappy and lean into pleasure when that is what she wants. You will fall in love again and experience romantic partnership. And then maybe again. Then maybe again and again. And those relationships will be so much better when you know you are choosing, rather than need, to be in them. Learn to be with yourself now. Your future self will thank you.

Yourself will find you, whether you’re applying red lipstick in a Montmartre café or browsing for books you will never read in Shakespeare and Company

no one should have the power to ruin your life by breaking up with you.’