October 1, 2021 | ACTIVE LIFE | By Lorea Zabaleta | Photo by Aida Hasson
Judging from the headline of this piece, you may be asking yourself, “isn’t this an Opinion piece, not Active Life?” And to that, I say a) crying is an activity – you burn approximately 1.3 calories per minute of sobbing – and b) this list is based on thorough vibe assessments and interviews, not quite science, but, hey, close enough – so have some faith.
Whether it’s because one of life’s smallest inconveniences set you off (did you burn a bagel in the toaster at Susie B’s?), you’re dealing with a severely upsetting situation in your life, or simply because it’s fourth week this list has got you covered with all the hottest spots to cry on Colorado College’s campus.
For transparency, I’ve chosen these locations based on overall ambiance, visibility, potential support, and testimonials from others who’ve cried in that or similar places. Some of the following sites are not exact locations and instead have the potential to be catered to an individual’s circumstance – the important part is that they share vibes.
Alright, let’s get into it.
First, there’s the library. There are actually a few prime locations in this building for a breakdown depending on what you’re going for. While reaching out to sources for this article, I had multiple say that the basement bathroom was their top choice for a sobfest.
Izzie Hicks ’22, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Catalyst, said she frequently studies in the library basement, and sometimes studying makes her cry.
“The bathroom is so convenient to cry [in] because it’s right there,” she said.
Another recommendation from Hicks, and tried by yours truly, is Tava Quad. This one has a bit of a different feel than crying in the isolated bathroom, but if you’re the kind of person who wants a concerned thumbs up from an acquaintance, it’s the place for you.
Shove Chapel, top floor. Not one, but two of my very reliable sources told me to put it on this list. It’s ideal for those who seek more privacy and solitude in their tears.
Fine Arts Center: now, this is one is a little more avant-garde, but if you’re looking to add that extra layer of prestige and exposure to your breakdown, it can provide.
Now, these next few are less physical locations and more selected because their vibe is replicable in a variety of CC spots and lifestyles. First, a professor’s office hours. This one I’ve personally tested many times and while outcomes have varied, they’ve never been overtly negative. I’d recommend specifically shooting for this one within the first week of class.
Next, your freshmen dorm room — a classic. There’s something so quintessentially college about crying while staring at your ceiling from a twin bed at 1 a.m. and trying not to wake your roommate (sorry, Dova). But if you don’t have a freshmen dorm room, that’s okay. You can still cry in whatever room you currently occupy. The general channeling of your internal angsty middle schooler will remain.
Additionally, crying in a friend’s room or on-campus apartment is another solid option. Both East Campus and West Campus apartments have their own strengths here. Andy Fresen ’23 said that while West Campus has high ceilings perfect for echoing the sound, East Campus air conditioning is “soothing to worn out tear ducts.”
“I just really appreciate CC putting a lot of effort into the accessibility of crying spaces on campus,” he said.
So, as this article concludes, I hope this list, or list-adjacent thing, I have compiled has been helpful to you, dear reader, and also that you don’t have to make use of it. If you do, Godspeed, good luck, and let there be many smiles after your cry session in Shove.