
Heartbreak Knows No Age: Finding Solace in Olivia Rodrigo’s Music
Heartbreak is an all-consuming force that doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care if you’re 17 or 47; when it hits, it hits hard. As I navigate the emotional storm of divorce at 47, I’ve realized that heartbreak affects us all the same, regardless of age. And strangely enough, I’ve found an unexpected source of comfort in the music of a 21-year-old: Olivia Rodrigo.
Going through a divorce is one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever faced. It’s not just the loss of a relationship; it’s the shattering of dreams, the upheaval of a life you spent years building, and the fear of what comes next. At this stage in life, I thought I’d be immune to the raw pain of heartbreak. After all, with age comes wisdom, right? But wisdom doesn’t cushion the blow when your heart is breaking.
Olivia Rodrigo’s song "Vampire" speaks directly to that raw, unfiltered pain. The lyrics about betrayal and being drained of life by someone you trusted hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Rodrigo sings with an intensity that makes you feel every word. It doesn’t matter that she’s only 21 and I’m 47—her words resonate deeply because the emotions she’s expressing are universal.
In "Good 4 U," there’s an anger that I’ve found myself tapping into. Divorce isn’t just sad; it’s infuriating. It’s frustrating to watch someone move on as if the years you spent together didn’t mean anything. Rodrigo’s powerful delivery of lines like “Good for you, you look happy and healthy” encapsulates that feeling perfectly. It’s as if she’s giving a voice to the rage I sometimes feel but don’t always express.
I never thought I’d find myself relating so much to the music of someone who was so much younger than me. But that’s the thing about heartbreak—it’s a shared human experience. Whether you’re a teenager dealing with your first breakup or an adult facing the end of a marriage, the pain is the same. The emotions are the same.
In a way, Olivia Rodrigo’s music has been a lifeline for me. It’s a reminder that I’m not alone in this pain, and that even the younger generation is dealing with the same emotions I am. Her songs have allowed me to feel seen, understood, and, most importantly, not judged for still feeling the sting of heartbreak at my age.
Heartbreak doesn’t get easier with time. But maybe, just maybe, knowing that we’re all in this together—regardless of our age—makes it a little more bearable. And for that, I’m grateful to Olivia Rodrigo for giving me the soundtrack I didn’t know I needed during this difficult time.
xoxoxo
-The Not So Common Gal