Guest Post: Stick up for love

GIVEAWAY

I recently stumbled upon the blog Stick up for love. The idea of it really intrigued me. I wanted to help spread the message.  I decided I would do a little interview and introduce it to my readers. So here is the interview between myself and Ms. Stickup. It really is an amazing idea!

What is this project about?
Stick Up for Love is a way in which I've chosen to deal with a very difficult break up. It's about getting my message out all over the world, and doing something that I'd once promised to do.

What was it that prompted you to do this project?
Back in January I suffered from a very emotional, very heart-wrenching breakup. Although I wasn't completely surprised by the breakup itself, I was caught off guard by how strongly I reacted. Immediately after the breakup, I felt a certain emptiness in my heart - a void. I couldn't stop thinking of all of the promises made and broken; Of all of the things I'd never get to say or do or feel again.  A few weeks later, my former boyfriend would go through an emotionally traumatic experience of his own - he lost his father. I immediately sprang back into protective mode - I wanted to help him, to be there for him, and to heal him. But I didn't know how. That's when I realized that if I could do one thing for him, it would be to keep a particular promise. I once told him that I was going to show the whole world how much I love him, and how deeply he is cared for. As we both had an interest in street art - particularly stickers - that seemed to be the best way to get the message out. I collected and created images that represented pieces of our relationship and had stickers printed. Thus began my mission to "stick up for love". Though I'd had this idea prior to our breakup, the end of us combined with his father's passing were the driving forces for me.


Do you have future plans to get your message out even more?
To date, I've sent approximately 3,000 stickers out all over the world. I've gotten a great response from areas as close as my own state, to as far as New Zealand. As far as getting my message out, it's all been word of mouth and making friends as I go. I was recently put into contact with someone I've been a huge fan of for quite a while, Lois: http://www.loisinwonderland.blogspot.com/. She lives about 8 miles away in NYC, but ended up seeing my stickers and hearing my story when she was on a project in Brazil. I've spent a lot of time sending stickers out to various art shows, street artists, sticker enthusiasts, mail enthusiasts and even a museum; But, I've never really planned out how to make this happen.

What was your intent with these photos you are collecting?
My intent is to collect all of the images I've received through the past year, and turn them into a book to give to my former boyfriend. The book now has a dual meaning, as his father loved to travel - it was his biggest passion from what I was told. I hope that the "I miss you" message helps to heal him as much as it's helped heal me.


What is the meaning in these stickers?
The stickers do vary, but each sticker is a piece of who he and I were - together, and apart. Though they seem random to others, to he and I, each represented image has a very special meaning.

So far do you feel like you have accomplished your goal?
I do feel like I've gotten back photos from all over the world, but I don't know if I'll ever feel that I've "finished". The breakup was quite a while ago, but I do still miss him quite a bit. I think of him often, and remember him fondly. At the moment, we aren't speaking. So maybe when I'm done, if he speaks to me again I can finally feel like I've accomplished something.. who knows. I have accomplished many things on this journey though - I've learned about myself. I've learned how to have faith in other people. I've learned about so many others' broken hearts through emails and postcards and stickers and letters. I've learned that I'm not so alone in this journey.. and that's been a great accomplishment on its own.


How can people become involved?
I love emails from people who want to help! It's pretty simple - just send an email to stickupforlove@gmail.com and let me know that you're interested in receiving a sticker pack. I will pack some up for you, and ship them off. I do not want or accept money/stamps/etc for my sticker packs, I only ask that you email me photos of where you use them.

Thank you Lindsay