Ways to cheer up a long distance sister/best friend recovering from a break up. 😞

Question

Dylan · Answer

Ride with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone: I've finally started bingeing this (from ep 1, as advised by multiple people), and every episode feels like being at a sleepover with your bestie in the wee hours of the morning, so delirious you're making each other cry with belly-aching laughter.

I've decided Ride is the perfect antidote to the heavy doom of existing in the world right now. To me, it feels like a silly younger sibling to my other favourite podcast (and the only other pod I listen to religiously), Diabolical Lies.

Despite the distinct differences in style and content, both pods feature a pair of besties who are witty and intelligent, and who possess a palpable love and respect for each other.

Long story short: I ride for Ride!

Dylan · Answer

Thriving Out of Spite (a playlist): Made this for one of my besties when she was dealing with the rotten aftermath of a cursed ex-relationship, and honestly, it's some of my finest work!

Not only is it a big post-breakup mood, but it also works wonders for snapping me out of a depression or a funk or when I just need a reminder that I'm THAT BITCH.

As a bonus, the playlist features a glorious pic I took of her butt on a boat (which she generously permitted me to share with you all).

Featuring artists including: Amyl and The Sniffers, Ashnikko, Doechii, Fiona Apple, Hole, Princess Nokia, Slayyyter, Stella Donnelly, Wet Leg + more!

PS - although I'm still under the evil grip of spotify for a multitude of reasons (despite being absolutely not ok with their ethics or lack thereof), if anyone wishes to recreate this playlist on your platform of choice, please feel free to do so & share it below <3

Gabriela Riccardi · Answer

Watch a movie at the same time: Pick a flick, put it on the calendar, then press play on your streamer at the same time. Text throughout or debrief after!

Gabriela Riccardi · Answer

Picking Out The Real Estate You'll Buy With Your Friends: I like to ask my friends and their lovers which of them will go in on the Mona Lisa’s Florentine villa with me. It was purchased by her in-laws in 1498, features fourteen bedrooms and a lemon house, and went up for sale on the Tuscan market this year. So: which bank will sponsor us on this purchase? Do we have any outrageously wealthy potential patrons out there? Trust fund kids lurking among our social circles? Early Bitcoin investors who are friends of friends of friends? If we pull together an offer, someone can have dibs on the olive oil mill.

But more importantly, I love stories of people who split apartments or start compounds with their best friends. We're supposed to stop living communally after college, or once we age out of roommates? Bummer! I think we need more social scripts for choosing to live with and near your non-romantic loved ones. And I want a villa with my friends. So try it! Next time you hang out with your BFFs, spend some time on Zillow and pick out the Soho loft or Napa wine farm or Montreal pied-a-terre you'll put a down payment on together.

Wine Guy · Answer

LeNOSE - Orange You Glad Life’s Not So Bad: This new hand soap from LeNOSE is one of the best things I’ve smelled. Better version of Aesop. Can’t believe it will only be 10 bucks.

Soph · Answer

Zelda: When my sister went through a breakup, I flew to Seattle for two weeks because she was barely eating. Our communication was basically sitting on the couch playing Zelda together.

Honestly, genius breakup game. It’s beautiful, it gets you out of your head, and it forces you to relearn how to do little list-oriented tasks when your brain has forgotten how to do anything. I left, she bought herself a Switch and Zelda, and kept playing.

For those acute times when you need to dip in and out of psychological pain, Zelda is so comfy and cozy. It gives your brain somewhere else to go for a while.

Rohini Dille · Answer

Make them a breakup board: After one of my breakups, my long distance bestie added me to her “move on dot com” pinterst board filled with quotes to help me both wallow and move forward. Perfect for scrolling when the breakup feels hit hard. There was something extra special knowing this had gotten her through her breakups too.

Hannah · Answer

Uber Eats them comfort food: change your location setting and deliver soup or mac and cheese or ice cream

everyone deserves a yummy treat when they're sad

Daniel Day-Louis-Dreyfus · Answer

Heartburn by Nora Ephron: Writer/director/goddess Nora Ephron was seven months pregnant when she discovered her husband was having an affair. Living by the motto, “Everything is copy,” she crafted a wicked break-up novel that makes you want to grab life by the balls. Pair with Milk Bar truffles for maximum enjoyment!

Hyde · Answer

Museum of Broken Relationships book: Shows that even these isolating times, you’re not alone!

Catherine Davis · Answer

The Little Frog’s Guide to Self Care: A perfect gift for anyone who is going through a hard time. It’s just sweet. Sweet pictures. Sweet suggestions. I was given this book and was touched.

Rachel · Answer

Sending a silly little voice note: Tell them about a cutie dog you saw, reminisce about a funny moment from the past, share your crazy dream…sometimes people just need to hear their friends’ giggling voices without necessarily having to respond <3

Jessie · Answer

Close up pictures of pets: Works every time.

Lida Richardson · Answer

Send a stuffed animal: Every time one of my friends goes through a breakup, I buy them this one specific stuffed animal at my local candy store (not the one pictured, that’s Squishu, he’s mine.). Maybe kinda juvenile but I think something to hug and remember that you are loved always helps!!! Esp when someone lives far away. I think it also serves as an acknowledgement that breakups are brutal and deserve space and care and self-compassion (not to be corny). Just kind of a physical version of sending love.

Dylan · Answer

crowd sourced crying (a playlist): BREAKING NEWS: crying is IN for 2026! when in doubt, cry it out!

⭒ crowd sourced from all your responses to my sad song request! being vulnerable is cool. thank you all for sharing ♡

⭒ let me know if i've forgotten any ♡ i will continue adding your songs to it as more recs come through :)

⭒ PS sorry i only have evil spotify but if anyone wants to make a playlist on other platforms please go for it! hugs ♡

~

cc: @Spines, Flicks, and Wax @S.P.A. QUEEN @Jess s @Rish @AMB @Samantha Culp @Meaghan @Leanh @Mary Kathryn Paynter @Evangeline @Going Analog @sam @jozef @Ginny Branch @Minna Kelly @Noah Morse @Daniel Menegaz @Lanh @Michael Bolognino @Steven Weill @Miranda @Guido @Lida Richardson @CITIZENACTUAL @Geren @Hannah @Neal Lindsay

Edit: wow i'm so overjoyed by how many of you responded to this request. heart is full. what a gorgeous collection of crying songs!!! i'll do my best to keep adding the new recs as they come through :) xx

Dylan · Answer

Having the entire bed to yourself: no warm breath in my face

no snoring or sleep talking or farts waking me in the middle of the night

freedom to wriggle and squirm and stretch as i please

perfect ratio of bedding touching my body at all times

nobody turning on the light before i'm ready to rise

zero possibility of falling asleep in someone's arms and waking up unable to move your neck

it is the superior sleep time experience

Dylan · Answer

Jellycat Peanut Penguin: my bestie's kid picked this out as a gift for me last year when i was feeling sad <3 she said she chose it because it reminded her of our little Finch app birds. soft and snuggly with a weighted butt so it sits upright on my bed.

Dylan · Answer

FAMNIG HJÄRTA cushion, red: a whimsical and silly addition to your home. sure, it's from the kids section, but childlike whimsy has no age!!!!

Dylan · Answer

Going potato mode: Did you know that humans share about 50% of our DNA with potatoes because we use the same basic genes for cellular function? This is what Reddit told me, anyway, which is obviously the most reliable source of scientific knowledge.

With this in mind, I highly recommend transforming yourself into a human potato by getting into the comfiest clothes possible, surrounding yourself with pillows and blankets, and merging your body with your couch.

Allow any freeloaders (pets, kids, etc) to nuzzle in your nooks. Put on your favourite comfort movie/show/podcast or read a cosy book.

And remember: rest is not earned, rest is not "laziness", rest is a basic need and simple pleasure.

Dylan · Answer

Depression Ending Bear: Let me tell you, much like Shakira's hips, the reviews don't lie! this big boy currently has over a thousand 5-star reviews on IKEA website (go read some of them for comedy gold - you're WELCOME).

my cats love this one. dolly spends her nights licking it obsessively til it's saturated, then she falls asleep. cute or disgusting? a little from column A, a little from column B.

Dylan · Answer

feel the discomfort and move forward: one of my affirmations for 2026

Dylan · Answer

Enjoy being single!: To be single is to be inconvenient. Uncontainable. Disruptive. Subversive. Extremely sexy and also very modest. I don't make the rules; that's just science bitch.

But seriously, it’s being self-reliant — and honestly, fucking brave — in a culture that tells you you’re incomplete without a plus-one.

In the words of ancient philosopher Jason Derulo, who sings his own name more than anyone has ever sung their own name:

I’m ridin’ solo.

Dylan · Answer

Afroman - Happily Divorced: From the artistic craftsmanship behind the 2001 masterpiece "Because I Got High" comes his bold and brave record, "Divorce-C".

Featuring stunningly poetic track names such as "Anti-Marriage Megamix", "Divorce Ditty" and the thought-provoking "Fucc You Bitch, Goodbye", the entire album is an emotionally vulnerable, deeply reflective piece of songwriting genius.

I'm being so unserious right now, obviously. I still think this might be one of the silliest, funniest things to come out of 2020.

Dylan · Answer

you don't miss them you're just ovulating and unsupervised: words to live by

Dylan · Answer

Romance yourself! Romance your friends!: Truly cannot recommend this more highly.

Romance yourself!

Book yourself in for a treat-yourself day - spa, sauna, massage, mani pedi, hair, facial - whatever. You also don't have to spend money to do this! Spend a day alone without too many distractions - journal about what you're grateful for (even something as simple as sunshine or clean water or a roof over your head), connect with nature, listen to a song that makes you feel loved (my rec would be Know That You Are Loved by Cleo Sol), light some incense/your fave candle, swim in the ocean or take a bath, make your favourite meal, kiss/pat a cute animal.

Romance your friends!

Send a love letter to your bestie. Make a playlist for a friend with all your favourite songs. Prepare a delicious dinner for a friend & decorate the table with flowers. Send a text just to tell your friends you love them. Buy a little gift for a friend just because. Write all the things you love about your bestie on little bits of paper, put them in a jar and gift it to them to read when they're feeling down. Deliver a tasty treat from the bakery. Call a mate you haven't spoken to in ages. Plan a FaceTime catch-up with a long-distance bestie. Send them a video of yourself doing a silly dance!

Dylan · Answer

Quiz Lady (2023): LOVED THIS. A heartwarming and cute movie, perfect for when you're in the mood for a silly laugh and a happy ending.

Awkwafina is endearing in an autistic-coded gameshow-obsessed role, while Sandrah Oh is hilariously brilliant as her unhinged, chaotic sister.

It was refreshing seeing Will Ferrell in a more understated role that doesn't over-dominate the scene as he can in other films.

Dylan · Answer

Muster Dogs (2022): A dog-lovers must-see! A group of graziers from across Australia are each given a puppy from the same litter and given the challenge of training them into champion muster dogs.

wholesome, heartfelt, adorable. feels like a warm hug.

Dylan · Answer

recite Pitbull affirmations: Scientifically proven to improve your mental health by 900%. This is for everybody going through tough times... believe me - been there, done that

Dylan · Answer

Transformazing Sheet Mask: Can't go past these sheet masks. Perfect after a big night / week / life.

Dylan · Answer

send your besties a video of yourself dancing: give the people what they want

Dylan · Answer

Cleo Sol - Know That You Are Loved: from Cleo's 2021 record Mother. i can listen to this on repeat for hours as a form of self-love meditation. this song has got me through the darkest of days <3

Lulu Lefferts · Answer

Bag of Dicks: A friend of a friend once sent these anonymously to her friend’s ex. I think about this frequently. True loyalty.