Saying Goodbye Is Not Really Saying Goodbye

Dear Dee:
How do you handle saying goodbye to someone you really like?

Whether it's someone moving away or other circumstances causing distance in a relationship, saying goodbye is never, ever easy.

But in today's world, goodbye is such a loose term. Unless the person is actually travelling back in time to the stone ages, there's constant ways to stay in communication with the person you're crushing on -- whether they're in Boston, LA or Timbuktu. Seriously, goodbyes aren't permanent anymore and they don't mean 'I'll never ever see or talk to you again.' They just mean 'we may not be in the same proximity to actually touch, but we can still keep in touch like crazy and even get on Skype or OOVO and video chat! By the way, I'll text you in about an hour.'

Sorry. I am not making fun of the fact you're not going to get to see someone you really care about in the flesh that often. I am just trying to soften the blow by saying it's not as bad as it seems. And if you're really want to keep in touch with this person and he/she you, then there's no reason you can't.

Now, on the solemn side, if this is someone you don't feel you can talk to anymore and you're saying goodbye as a symbolic 'end' to a relationship, just give it time. Feelings don't leave overnight and it'll take some time to heal and get over the breakup or parting of ways. But it is doable. Try to keep yourself busy and surrounded by people you love. While solitude is probably your preference, it's not the best way for you to move on -- save the moping for before bed time and while doing your homework (I'd say save it for during class, but I don't need teachers sending me hate mail ...).

Hopefully, this is a goodbye that's situational -- moving, changing schools, etc. And you can keep in touch but if not, take things one step at a time. Let yourself feel it, mourn it, and heal.