Caitlin Cimino is an herbalist and the owner and ethical metalsmith of @caitlin_cimino, a sustainable, fine jewelry line. Caitlin melds together crystals she has mined and responsibly wild-crafted plants, herbs and flowers which have been cast in quality recycled silver. All her creations are handmade with intention and blessings. We talked to Caitlin about how nature, turning inward and self love have helped her mend.
If you think back to the first time you were heartbroken, what advice would you give to that younger version of yourself?
I’d tell her to be kind to herself and to stop running from the pain she’s feeling. Instead, sit with the discomfort. I’ve learned that you will heal on a much deeper and more permanent level if you allow yourself to experience the hurt rather than hide from it, dissect it or “bandaid” it with something or someone else.
What has heartbreak taught you about yourself?
Heartbreak has shown me places within myself that needed more self-love. And by learning these things, to put it simply, heartbreak has made me a stronger more self-aware and self-loving woman.
What are your rituals during a breakup? What things/practices/people helped you mend?
Exploring nature solo has always been great medicine for me as well as meditation, running and reading uplifting books. One book I highly recommend during times of great transition is “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron. I don’t go to many people when I’m dealing with a breakup. I tend to hone in because love relationships are so personal, everyone carries their own ideals of what relationships should be based off their own adult and childhood experiences and traumas which impact their belief systems today. In knowing this, it’s important to distinguish who would be helpful to go to during these times of vulnerability and who would be more harmful (even if they don’t intend to be). If I go to anyone for support, I go to my sister. Thank you always, sis!
Thinking back to breakups you’ve had, did you have any breakup vices (checking your ex’s Insta, etc) and how do you conquer them?
The biggest vice I can think of would be getting caught in a loop of thoughts about the person I’ve broken up with. Overcoming them involved acknowledging the thoughts before allowing them to become a loop and quickly replacing them with a healing visualization or act that empowers and soothes me. I use this as a rewiring tactic for my brain. With time and consistency it works for me.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about love so far in your life?
That I’m always learning about love. There is an ease and peace in knowing this.
Do you think exes can be friends? Do you stay friends with your exes on social media?
It really depends the situation. Mostly, while I believe it’s important to remain kind should an encounter occur, I don’t feel it’s healthy to have ongoing communication with an ex. I’m not friends with any of my exes on social media.
What keeps your heart open, despite the heartbreaks you’ve had in your life?
The knowing that each heartbreak has made me a better person.
What is your favorite movie about heartbreak?
I don’t have a “favorite” per se. But the movie “Frida” pulls at my heart strings.
What projects are you currently working on, and looking forward to most?
Recently, I’ve come across documentaries and books about artisans creating and exploring passionately, without ego. Each story has moved my soul deeply. So, I’ve set intention to create on as pure a level as possible. To keep my practice about the creative process and nothing else. To really feel this and get lost in it and in doing so, give on a new level. To deepen creating from the most honest seed within. So, I’m most excited to see this unfold because it will be forever unfolding. Beautiful.
