This is the harsh truth revealed by Olivia Attwood’s posts following Bradley Dack split. I made the same mistake as her… I’m so embarrassed: JANA HOCKING

by

This is a message directly to Olivia Attwood. Olivia, if you’re reading this, I’m going to be completely honest with you.

I’m saying this because I care, but seriously consider protecting yourself from the temptation to reach out after a breakup. Maybe lock your phone away, or even get rid of it temporarily. If you can, give it to a friend you trust and ask them not to return it until you’ve fully processed the breakup – that means going through denial, anger, trying to negotiate, feeling down, and finally, acceptance.

Because what’s currently playing out on your Instagram is grim.

People are saying Olivia Attwood, who became famous on Love Island and now hosts TV shows, has separated from her husband, footballer Bradley Dack, after almost three years of marriage.

Although they haven’t officially announced their split, Olivia’s Instagram posts strongly suggest they’ve broken up.

Social media posts featuring melancholic music. One video shows Olivia by herself in a recently moved-in, bare apartment, set to the song ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls.

That’s right, the song ‘Iris.’ It’s become synonymous with sadness and lost love, famously featured during a poignant moment in the movie City of Angels – specifically, after Meg Ryan’s character passes away.

If that doesn’t whisper ‘it’s just me now, Brad is gone’, I truly don’t know what does.

She also posted a video late Tuesday night showing Angelina Jolie discussing how she copes with difficult periods in her life.

To be honest, I found it really helpful the first time I watched it – I actually learned a lot. And, a little embarrassingly, I saved it in a folder called ‘life guidance’.

I didn’t post about it to my millions of followers. But honestly, I probably would have before – that was just the kind of person I used to be.

After ending a relationship with someone who was bad for me in my mid-30s, I surprisingly missed their comfort and wanted a hug. Since I wasn’t getting that from them, I found myself seeking connection on Instagram instead.

I used to share vague, emotional videos online – about feeling hurt, being let down, or dealing with people I felt had wronged me. I once posted a slow-motion ocean video with sad music, without explaining anything – just trying to create a certain mood. I guess I was just being dramatic and sharing my feelings in a cryptic way.

To be honest, I wasn’t posting for everyone who follows me. I was posting for my ex. I wanted him to see what I was saying and feel bad about how he’d made me feel. It was a really desperate way of trying to get him to notice me. It’s embarrassing to think about now, but that’s how I genuinely felt back then.

What really bothered me was when he didn’t respond at all. Instead, I got a ton of messages from other people – some were genuinely concerned friends, while others were just being nosy – all asking if I was alright. Having to repeatedly copy and paste the same message saying I was fine made me feel a little ridiculous, and I started to worry I was overreacting.

Ultimately, what made me stop sharing so much was the reaction I got. It’s rarely the people you want to hear it who respond positively. Instead, it’s usually those who love to gossip that jump to comment.

Ugh, just thinking about those days gives me chills! It was before everyone felt the need to document their lives online, and honestly, it was so much better. When things fell apart, you were just… allowed to fall apart. You could sob to your bestie for hours, obsess over every single detail of a heartbreak, live on toast for a week… and no one knew. It was private, you know? You just slowly, quietly put yourself back together, without the whole world watching and commenting. It was… peaceful, in a way.

Now, heartbreak has spectators.

It’s a difficult reality, but while some viewers are truly invested, many others are simply drawn to the conflict and unfolding story. They enjoy reading between the lines and trying to figure out what’s really going on.

It’s a familiar scenario: someone shares the Maya Angelou quote about believing people when they reveal their true selves, and you immediately suspect a relationship is ending – like with our friend Sarah, it usually signals a breakup.

Suddenly, everyone’s buzzing on the group chat. Did you see Sarah’s latest post? I just looked at who she’s following, and she’s unfollowed Charles. It’s a strangely satisfying, yet sad, situation.

Sarah finally feels relieved and at peace, but then she’s shocked to find digital records of her private experiences still exist online, publicly available for anyone to see.

Sharing your feelings online when you’re hurting can feel good at the time, but it’s often something you regret later.

I wish someone had told me this a long time ago: resist the urge to post vague or mysterious things online late at night. And definitely don’t share sad videos! Instead, save a screenshot or the video itself, and wait 24 hours before deciding whether to actually post it.

If you still feel good about it the next day, then do it. If not, consider it a win – you’ve avoided a potentially awkward situation down the road.

What’s frustrating about heartbreak is you have to actually feel it, not just show it. There’s a real difference between truly working through your pain and turning it into something for others to watch or consume.

True healing isn’t usually glamorous. It’s often a slow, imperfect process that happens in private. Forget quick transformations – it’s more like having to cancel things and finding comfort in familiar shows.

Sharing our pain online after a breakup can easily lead to seeking approval from others, hoping they’ll tell us we’re still worthy of love. This external validation doesn’t last, and we often find ourselves constantly needing more and more of it.

Olivia, you’re incredibly talented and have a bright future. With that in mind, I’d like to suggest a straightforward way to handle being in the public eye.

Make a lot of money by sharing your story, but only tell it once. After that, focus on showcasing your positive transformation on social media.

Because isn’t that the upside of break-ups? Getting revenge by getting hotter?

No? Just me and Khloe Kardashian then.

Read More

2026-01-30 15:08