Farewell are a meaningful part of all friendships, new and old. They can strengthen a relationship and add depth to our feelings. Here are five ways to practice the good-bye.
Stay with the Moment. Whether it’s a one-or 15-minute process, parting requires that we pay attention. Don’t worry about logistics-baggage, tickets, keys-just focus on the here and now of separating.
Give Tokens. In the past, one would give a good-luck charm to friends setting out on a long journey. Continue this tradition by giving a small personal gift to a friend on her way out: a box of miniature soaps, a CD you think she’ll enjoy, that pair of earrings she once admired on you.
Take a Mental Picture. Taking group pictures just before friends go on their way is a silly custom, but it fulfills an important functions: memorializing the encounter and giving it a tangible place in time. You don’t have to take a photograph-absorb the scene and remember it.
Accept the Sadness and the Relief. Don’t deny what you feel, whatever it is: Good-byes are always tinged with a sense of sadness—and happiness. The brief loneliness you experience when a friend departs is prelude to the joyful realization that you can return to your life, free of interruptions.
Don’t Look Back. Be the one who signals that it’s time to move on. Take the responsibility to close the door, turn the key in the ignition, or walk away. By doing so, you will help everyone realize that what lies ahead is the next adventure.
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