Anonymous asked: My best friend is moving away in a few months. I'm trying my hardest not to be sad so she won't be sad, but I dunno how much longer I can do it, because it's killing me more every day to even imagine next year without her by my side...
May I suggest something? Don’t try so hard to appear happy. Chances are she’s also suffering a great deal, and confiding in her will probably help her a lot too. I’ve moved many times in my life, and my friends and I would talk a lot about how much we would miss each other, and how good our time together was. It helped a lot.
And then we kept in touch! The great thing about the modern world is the ability we have to communicate (Skype, Facebook, instant messaging, phone calls, texting, you know the drill). You have to make an effort, to be sure, but if you’re really good friends it won’t be hard. (Sending a letter always shows you care - they’re rarely expected and a surprising way to show you care.) It won’t be a picnic without her, I’m not going to lie, but it doesn’t have to be traumatic. You can still talk to her every day when she moves.
I think she might appreciate it if you told her that you have such strong feelings without her - it will really let her know that you care, that she’ll be missed, that she’s not alone. And maybe you can help each other.
Happiness can’t really be forced, anyway, but when people share sadness it makes things - even if it’s just a bit - better.