Having long-distance relationships while also being in college has been both challenging and rewarding, to say the least. I’ve come to learn a lot about myself during this time, especially as I navigate the reality of being more alone than I’m used to. It’s an experience that has tested my resilience and opened my eyes to the beauty of personal growth.
The transition to college meant moving from my loved ones, especially those I was used to having around to hang out whenever I needed. I’ve always valued the comfort of having those people around, so this new sense of solitude or “loneliness” was difficult to accept and deal with at first. However, during this time I’ve come to realize that being alone doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s given me space to reflect on who I am/want to be outside of my relationships and to build a stronger sense of ME! Learning how to embrace my own company has been one of the most rewarding lessons I’ve learned in college.
Watching people like my boyfriend/close friends graduate and move on with their lives has also been bittersweet. On one hand, it’s a reminder of how much change is happening in my life, but on the other, it’s a blessing to not only witness but be a part of their growth. Their successes are a source of pride for me now, because I’ve looked beyond the sadness of knowing we’re no longer in the same chapter of life. I’ve come to appreciate that growth and change are inevitable, and it’s beautiful to see those I care about get to experience it.
One thing that has made the distance easier is finding communities in college. Joining organizations and making new friends has been a great way to fill what I thought were “voids” left by being away from home and those I was used to spending my time with. Also being able to visit my loved ones every once in a while has given me something to look forward to. Those visits are like a light at the end of the tunnel for me when school gets hard or I start to feel lonely (which is normal and ok btw!). It’s these visits that make the separation more manageable knowing that we’ll have time together again soon.
Having long-distance relationships has shown me the importance of change, finding new connections, and appreciating the space we’re given to miss our loved ones again. If there’s one thing I can do, I want to be able to let people in similar situations know it’s gonna be okay. Distance isn’t the end of the world or your relationship. Find the good as I did. Tell yourself that the distance is a chance to be able to grow and miss those people, making being with them again even sweeter!