It is tough to cope when a friend is moving away, but it is still possible to maintain a strong relationship after they’re gone. Image: gossip girls 1 via sxc.hu
Let’s face it, we all dread seeing a moving truck outside of our best friend’s home, or a brother or sister packing to leave for college. It’s hard to let go when any close loved one at a turning point in their life is moving streets away, states away, or even to a different country! From childhood friends to my sister leaving nearly every summer for internship programs, I have struggled with saying good-bye (or, “I’ll see you soon,” because “good-bye” can mean “good-bye forever” and forever is just too long to not see my sister). This post will help you cope when a friend is moving away.
I’ve had this experience, and see it quite often. Moving can be very hard for the friends and family that have to help with the packing or the organizing to determine what should stay, what should go, and what is just trash. But, we have to realize this is a stepping stone for the person who is moving. As much as we want to hide in the back of the truck or pack ourselves in the box saying “take me with you,” we have to learn to accept and let them go temporarily.
When the day departure arrives, the best solution to cope with all the sadness is to share with the loved one how much we care, love and support their decision. Give a helping hand, help pack boxes for them, and even help load the truck. Underneath it all, the one doing the moving could be feeling a little bit nervous, at an all-time high of excitement, or even experiencing a little sadness. No matter how much we want our friends and family to stay, it is always best to show our support.
The good news is, there are several things you can do after they move to keep your relationship strong and brighten up the sadness.
- Stay in contact via phone calls, text messages, and social media.
- Make regular appointments to Skype, FaceTime or Google video chat.
- Plan regular visits in advance and stick to the dates, even when life gets busy.
- Focus on similarities that you still share, instead of the different paths your lives are taking.
- Do things together over the phone that you would do together, like watch a favorite TV show or movie or grab coffee together. That way, it will still feel like you’re hanging out together.
- Play games with each other through a mobile phone app to stay connected and have fun from a distance. Words with Friends or Draw Something are good examples, but there are plenty more to choose from.
Following these tips and maintaining a positive outlook will help you cope when a friend is moving away.
Have you ever dealt with a family member or close friend moving away? What ways did you keep in contact with them? Share your comments and tips in the comments section.
