Leaving The Ones You Love Behind

In a few weeks, I will be packing up my stuff and moving a thousand miles from anyone I know. People do this sort of thing everyday but not women like me. I’m the type of woman who never considered moving more than a few miles away from my friends and family, it was just not an option. I have everything in Los Angeles; a supportive family and amazing friends in one of the most amazing cities in the world. In theory, I have everything I could ever want except for one thing: independence.

In July, I will be turning 30. I didn’t have a major revelation about my life just because I’m on the brink of turning 30, but I was presented with an opportunity that made me take a good look at my life. The first thing that came time was, “Wow, I should really act like an adult now,” (I’m not alone in feeling this way) and I could not think of one single reason for not taking this chance except for the fact that I will miss everyone too much. I was faced with the option to not change a thing and stay with my loved ones or completely change my life. I opted for the latter.

I’m now faced with this dilemma: How do I prepare myself to leave everyone I love behind? I’ve never been away from my family for more than a few weeks and the thought of having a best-friendless life simply makes matters worse. If I ever needed anything, my brother, sisters and parents were just a phone call away. If I ever needed a friend to join me on a 2am ice cream run, one text message could make that happen. My entire support system will still be a phone call away, but they will not be there to pat me on the back when I’ve succeeded or to hand me a tissue when my life is falling apart. Frankly, I don’t know what to do.

I can see the last few weeks in my hometown being filled with lots of tears (mostly mine) and I don’t want to leave on such a sad note, especially since I’m making a positive change in my life. This experience is meant to make me a stronger and independent person, yet I feel as though I’m leaving and never seeing anyone I love again which could not be farther from the truth.

Readers of HelloGiggles, how have you coped with leaving the ones you love behind?