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“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” This quote resonates in today’s society and is a statement that many people identify with. Friends are a crucial part of the support system in our lives, and it’s hard to imagine life without them. But as life goes on, our relationships are bound to change. So what do you do when a close friend leaves?
Don’t forget to support them
Person to person may have completely different feelings about the move. Emotions can be on the whole spectrum, but your response to your friend’s emotions should be the same. No matter what your friend’s situation is, you need to stay supportive and uplifting. There are many ways to do this, but whether you support them practically or emotionally, be someone they can always rely on.
Moving is an overwhelming process, and your friend will need help with the practical steps, like finding boxes, renting a moving van, packing things, and more. The moving process is definitely not a one-person job, and there are many ways to help! The biggest job in a move is packing. Although your friend may not want you to examine his personal items, the boxes must be labeled and taped, which is not an easy task for one person! Another way to meaningfully support a friend during the moving process is to help them with day-to-day needs that may be more difficult to take care of now. Offering to bring their family dinner, watch their little siblings for a few hours, or help clean up are places to start. Even supporting their family as a whole, practically supporting a friend lets them know you’re there.
However, moving to a new place is scary and you need to emotionally support your friend during this time as well. Your friend may feel very alone on this new journey – navigating a new school, a new sports team, and a new city. However, you can provide them with some comfort by being a listening ear. Moving inevitably comes with anxiety and fear, and it’s always helpful to have someone to listen to you. If your friend wants to talk, take the time to call or come and be there for them. If they don’t say anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to them! Even if they don’t want to talk, they’ll appreciate the thought. However, while your friend has priority during this time, their move can hit you just as hard.
Take some time for yourself
The emotional impact of your friend’s move affects not only him, but you as well. Although they are the ones who have to adapt to a new life, you have to adapt your life to a life without them. It’s a major change for you too, and you need to take some time for yourself. First, allow yourself to feel your feelings. As cheesy as it may be, find a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, or just hang out in your room listening to lofi. Feeling your feelings in the moment is necessary, but eventually you have to move on.
Although it can be a bit difficult to think of “replacing” your friend, be open to getting to know each other and finding new people to hang out with. Even someone you think has nothing in common with you could become one of your closest friends. This is especially useful when trying to fill up the time you used to spend with your friend. For example, if you and your friend used to have a sleepover every Saturday night, Saturday nights might turn into a sad time for you, with lingering memories of all the fun you used to have. having. However, it need not stay that way. Saturday nights could turn into movie night or reach out to your neighbor you never really knew for ice cream!
Creating Memories Final Ensemble
While it’s important to keep an open mind with new people, your friend will always be an essential part of your life and you won’t want to forget them. During your final weeks together, take the time and energy to make plans and do more than just go to their house! Create a fun keepsake by going to the fair, rocking out to a concert, or going to a water park. Not only will this be a fun last memory for you, but it will let your friend know that they are still appreciated and not being kicked out of your life.
Another way to keep memories of your friend would be to create a keepsake. A basic yet loving way to do this would be to create a picture frame. It’s something you and your friend could keep forever. If you’ve known each other for a while, another option would be to create a photo album. Whenever you miss each other, you can pull out the album to relive memories over the years. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, creating a digital scrapbook is a great alternative! Whatever you choose, a memento of your friendship will be greatly appreciated by your friend.
Make plans to stay in touch
Just because you can’t be together in person doesn’t mean you can’t get involved in each other’s lives! Make plans to stay in touch – if Sundays were your special day together, they still could be! Agree to play video games together on Sundays, or FaceTime when you’re both free. If your friend isn’t moving too far away, you might plan to meet and see each other in person over the summer. In the meantime, with the help of technology, it’s easy to stay in each other’s lives!
While moving can be a sad time for you and your friend, it can also be a time of fun and remembrance for each other. By supporting each other, taking time for yourself, and creating lasting memories together, your friend’s move can go as smoothly as possible.