They say love can be inspired by a romantic walk on the beach, a grand gesture in the rain, or one of those slow-motion moments at a coffee shop when your hand brushes against someone else’s. But for me? My greatest inspiration came from a broken lava lamp and a borrowed toolbox. Let me explain.

The Day My Lava Lamp Crashed and Burned

It all started with a moment of pure clumsiness. I was in my living room, re-arranging furniture to achieve that elusive “cozy but boho-chic” aesthetic (which, let’s face it, is mostly Pinterest board lies). I bumped into a side table, and down went my vintage lava lamp—a relic I’d begged my mom to let me keep from her 1970s costume closet clean-out. It shattered dramatically, the waxy “goo of nostalgia” oozing across my floor like some alien lifeform auditioning for an early Spielberg movie.

At first, the usual emotions emerged: frustration, regret, the mild existential crisis of, “Why do I even try to adult?” But then, as I haphazardly swept up the glass pieces, I was hit with an absurdly clear realization: nothing in life stays perfectly intact. Not lava lamps. Not relationships. Not even the dreams we cradle so earnestly.

And just like that, the broken lava lamp became my unlikeliest guru.

Lava Lamp Lessons on Love and Life

1. Everything Gets Messy—And That’s Okay

The first thing I learned from my busted lamp was that trying to keep every aspect of your life “perfect” is a waste of energy. Dating, for example, is famously messy. No matter how carefully you plan, there will be awkward miscommunications, mismatched priorities, or the occasional mystery chicken text (“Wait, did he actually mean to tell me he owns chickens or was it autocorrect??”).

Instead of seeing the chaos as catastrophic, lean into it. Relationships aren’t a curated Instagram aesthetic. They’re the equivalent of my lava lamp: sometimes glowing, sometimes bubbling over, and sometimes completely splattered on the floor. The mess isn’t the end—it’s part of the journey.

Takeaway: Allow people (and yourself) to be messy. It’s not about avoiding imperfection; it’s about embracing it with grace and a good mop.

2. Fixing Takes Patience—But It’s Worth It

Now, I could’ve chucked my poor lava lamp straight into the garbage, mourning the loss for approximately 3 seconds before scrolling Amazon for a replacement. But something stopped me. So I borrowed my neighbor’s toolbox—a dusty relic I’m fairly certain hadn’t seen the light of day since Bush’s first term—and I got to work.

Removing glass shards involved tweezers and nerves of steel. Replacing the bulb required a YouTube tutorial so confusing it could’ve doubled as an escape room puzzle. It took me two hours to Frankenstein my lamp back together, and when it finally flickered to life, I nearly cried.

Turns out, love works the same way. Whether it’s salvaging a struggling relationship or re-building after a breakup, repair takes time and effort. No shortcut will take you straight from “this is shattered” to “everything’s glowing beautifully again.” But when you finally see that first glimmer of light? It’s magic.

Takeaway: Be patient—with love, healing, and even yourself. The effort you put in is what makes the glow worthwhile.

3. Some Things (and People) Just Aren’t Made to Stay Forever

Here’s the thing about my lava lamp: even after I fixed it, it wasn’t quite the same. The wax moved slower, the colors weren’t as bold, and frankly, it smelled faintly like burnt wires. Eventually, I had to let it go.

The same can be said for relationships. Sometimes, we desperately cling to people or situations that have clearly run their course, holding onto what they once were instead of confronting what they’ve become. It doesn’t mean the relationship was a waste—just like my beloved lamp wasn’t useless even after its final days of dim glimmering. It means it served a purpose and taught you something. Then, it’s time to move on.

Takeaway: Learn to recognize when to release what’s no longer serving you. Letting go isn’t failure—it’s wisdom.

Finding Glow in Unexpected Places

You might think I’d want to forget this lava lamp moment entirely, given the ruined carpet and the mild heartbreak of losing something so nostalgic. But here’s the twist: whenever I find myself struggling in life or love, I think of that night. The swirling mess, the over-complicated repair, and the eventual realization that even broken things can teach us something profound.

Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck, either in a relationship or in your search for one. Maybe your own version of “the perfect glow” feels just out of reach. And maybe what you really need isn’t an unbroken object or a perfect partner. Maybe you just need the courage to get messy, dive in, and trust that something beautiful can come out of the cracks.

And if it doesn’t? Well, at least you’ll have a funny story to tell—and honestly, who doesn’t love a good lava lamp anecdote?

What My Lava Lamp Taught Me About Love:

  • Don’t fear the mess. It’s inevitable—and sometimes even fun.
  • Patience goes a long way. Whether you’re fixing something or healing yourself, trust the process.
  • Know when to let go. Not everything—or everyone—is meant to last forever, and that’s okay.

Keep bubbling and glowing, friends. Whether you’re in a steady relationship, navigating heartbreak, or somewhere in between, remember: even in the most unexpected places, inspiration (and love) is always waiting to light you up.