Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

iful way. We had gotten so close, and they meant the world to me.And although I’m very happy for them, I can’t deny how I feel about not having them physically here with me. It’s hard to think that I have to plan a trip to see them, so that means that seeing them will be a bit more difficult than before.There were many moments that we would just randomly text each other asking if we were free and wanted to meet up.“What you doing bitch. Wanna grab coffee?”. Friend texted.“Yeah, queen. Usual spot? See u in 10 minutes.” I replied.How am I not going to be able to do that anymore?<h2 id="fcc9">I’ve been saying goodbyes for a long time already…</h2>But the funny thing about all of this is that I am used to it. I’ve been living abroad since I was 18 years old, and if there’s one thing I can say about friendships made overseas is that sadly, a multitude of them are temporary. They will come, some will stay, but most of them will go. And you have to learn to let go of them so you don’t suffer a lot. This is why when I just moved to Dublin, I was a bit hesitant to make friends. I was too scared I’d lose them soon.I don’t think that it will be the case with these two as they are truly everything I have here in Ireland. But what I’m saying is that one thing that people don’t tell you about living abroad is that everyone is at their own pace in life. Some are citizens, others are international students. Some are undocumented and have to flee, others are just about to have their visas expire and also have to leave. Some will get sponsored by a company and move somewhere else, and others are going to apply for school in another state of the country. You are mostly on your own, and the friends that you make stay with you for as long as they can.That means that we are in constant goodbyes. Never-ending. Nonstop. Always having to say goodbye to somebody. Either because they are the ones leaving, or you are the one leaving.<h2 id="7125">Our chosen family in a foreign land…</h2>What I love about friendships abroad is that they are made quicker than you think. All you need is a few mutual interests and a smile on your face, and there you go: You’re best friends with someone new. When you are on your own, you’re most likely to look for your tr

Options

ibe. You want to belong somewhere. It is freaking scary when you just move to a new place. So, you let go of the idea that you need to have known somebody for years to allow yourself to call them your friends. You become a way more approachable person than you think. And surprisingly, some of these friendships have deeper and stronger bonds than most of your childhood friendships. They start from a very genuine place, so this is why they feel so healthy and remarkable.However, get ready to say goodbye one day. These friendships might be temporary. Or at least, your physical contact with them. Back home, it kind of feels like everybody is living the same life, whereas abroad, not everyone is on the same page as you. And though this may sound a bit scary, the thing you can do is always keep in touch and make plans to reunite.There were so many wonderful people I left when I left the United States that to this day, I feel like going back just because of the genuine and strong bonds I built there. So, even though it hurts to say goodbye in Ireland, I have to say that I’m used to it. I have done it a million times, and all I can do right now is celebrate the new brilliant phase that’s ahead of my friends. I’m happy for them and I wish them the best. Of course, my selfish side is always wishing them to be here.Maybe, this is how my mom felt. She felt sad that I was leaving and guilty that she wouldn’t be a physical part of my new phases, but she knew that the best for me would be to let me go and live my dreams away from home.Friends are our chosen families, and they should feel free to go and live their dreams in a new place without feeling bad about leaving who they love behind.So, with this in mind, there are two things I want to say. First, learn how to celebrate and encourage your friends to go after their dreams regardless of where they might be taking place. And with that, secondly, also learn how to embrace life without them. It hurts. But trust me, if you are planning to live abroad, I want you to know that you will be in constant goodbyes. One day it will be them, another day it will be you. So, make the best out of your friendships while you can TODAY. Live life to the fullest, because time will certainly pass and whatever you’re living today will become memories.</article></body>

In Constant Goodbyes

Last month, on a random day off, I woke up to a friend calling me early in the morning asking me if we could meet up later on. It was my best friend from Dublin who was calling me. I told him I was free, so he suggested that we grab lunch together. So, I stood up, brushed my teeth, and jumped right into the shower to get ready to go see him.

I got on the bus and headed towards the restaurant where we planned to meet up, and when I saw him, it was the usual: there was lots of hugging, touching, and affection going on. We’re both Brazilians, so we love to show some affection. We sat down at the table and he went straight to the point: “I have great news and bad news.” I looked a bit shocked and while I took a sip of my usual dark-roasted mocha, he looked right into my eyes and said; “Gabe, I’ve been promoted to manager, but they’re sending me to Cork”.

All I did when he told me that was to celebrate him. What an amazing achievement. The company was not only going to promote him as the manager, but also sponsor him for the work visa in Ireland. I couldn’t help but feel proud of him and happy for him. We talked deeply about how he was feeling, and yeah, we did mention how sad it was going to be that we no longer would see each other daily like we used to.

Two weeks passed, and another friend of mine told me the same thing. She had applied for this position in Belfast, Northern Ireland. These two friends of mine are my everything in Dublin. We’re all LGBT, she’s lesbian and both this guy friend and I are gay, so we were a family together here. We would stick together for everything. Parties, movie nights, coffee dates, brunch, drinks, you name it. Everything was a reason for us to be together, and I couldn’t believe I was going to be separated from them.

The days passed, and I started to feel very sad about not having my chosen family with me daily. At this point in my life, I’m a bit tired of having to go out there and make new friends. I like when friendships naturally happen, not when you go after them. With these two, the universe introduced them to me in the most genuine and beautiful way. We had gotten so close, and they meant the world to me.

And although I’m very happy for them, I can’t deny how I feel about not having them physically here with me. It’s hard to think that I have to plan a trip to see them, so that means that seeing them will be a bit more difficult than before.

There were many moments that we would just randomly text each other asking if we were free and wanted to meet up.

“What you doing bitch. Wanna grab coffee?”. Friend texted.

“Yeah, queen. Usual spot? See u in 10 minutes.” I replied.

How am I not going to be able to do that anymore?

I’ve been saying goodbyes for a long time already…

But the funny thing about all of this is that I am used to it. I’ve been living abroad since I was 18 years old, and if there’s one thing I can say about friendships made overseas is that sadly, a multitude of them are temporary. They will come, some will stay, but most of them will go. And you have to learn to let go of them so you don’t suffer a lot. This is why when I just moved to Dublin, I was a bit hesitant to make friends. I was too scared I’d lose them soon.

I don’t think that it will be the case with these two as they are truly everything I have here in Ireland. But what I’m saying is that one thing that people don’t tell you about living abroad is that everyone is at their own pace in life. Some are citizens, others are international students. Some are undocumented and have to flee, others are just about to have their visas expire and also have to leave. Some will get sponsored by a company and move somewhere else, and others are going to apply for school in another state of the country. You are mostly on your own, and the friends that you make stay with you for as long as they can.

That means that we are in constant goodbyes. Never-ending. Nonstop. Always having to say goodbye to somebody. Either because they are the ones leaving, or you are the one leaving.

Our chosen family in a foreign land…

What I love about friendships abroad is that they are made quicker than you think. All you need is a few mutual interests and a smile on your face, and there you go: You’re best friends with someone new. When you are on your own, you’re most likely to look for your tribe. You want to belong somewhere. It is freaking scary when you just move to a new place. So, you let go of the idea that you need to have known somebody for years to allow yourself to call them your friends. You become a way more approachable person than you think. And surprisingly, some of these friendships have deeper and stronger bonds than most of your childhood friendships. They start from a very genuine place, so this is why they feel so healthy and remarkable.

However, get ready to say goodbye one day. These friendships might be temporary. Or at least, your physical contact with them. Back home, it kind of feels like everybody is living the same life, whereas abroad, not everyone is on the same page as you. And though this may sound a bit scary, the thing you can do is always keep in touch and make plans to reunite.

There were so many wonderful people I left when I left the United States that to this day, I feel like going back just because of the genuine and strong bonds I built there. So, even though it hurts to say goodbye in Ireland, I have to say that I’m used to it. I have done it a million times, and all I can do right now is celebrate the new brilliant phase that’s ahead of my friends. I’m happy for them and I wish them the best. Of course, my selfish side is always wishing them to be here.

Maybe, this is how my mom felt. She felt sad that I was leaving and guilty that she wouldn’t be a physical part of my new phases, but she knew that the best for me would be to let me go and live my dreams away from home.

Friends are our chosen families, and they should feel free to go and live their dreams in a new place without feeling bad about leaving who they love behind.

So, with this in mind, there are two things I want to say. First, learn how to celebrate and encourage your friends to go after their dreams regardless of where they might be taking place. And with that, secondly, also learn how to embrace life without them. It hurts. But trust me, if you are planning to live abroad, I want you to know that you will be in constant goodbyes. One day it will be them, another day it will be you. So, make the best out of your friendships while you can TODAY. Live life to the fullest, because time will certainly pass and whatever you’re living today will become memories.