Navigating Loneliness in a Transient World

I'm sure everyone feels lonely once in a while, and some people handle it better than others. At the end of the day, we are social creatures and seek our tribes.

I can't think of any of my friends who still live in the same place they were born, although I know people like that. It seems more common in Ukraine to stay in one place than in the US.

My personal journey has taken me through Simferopol, Kyiv, Lyon, Winston-Salem, and finally San Francisco. Who knows, maybe that's not the end. While moving is often part of personal growth, there are things we lose along the way, and connections are one of them. Being involved in several long-distance relationships, both romantic and friendships, I can conclude that maintaining them requires a lot of effort. Honestly, maintaining any relationship is hard, and distance only adds to the challenge.

Perhaps my first move was the hardest. I changed, and so did my friends. We had our own unique experiences, and letting go and building new connections was difficult. Holding onto the past can even be toxic.

I learned to let go and start from scratch. I believe it's important to find happiness in a new place.

Today, my friends are guests in my life. I'm happy to have them, and I treat them with respect. But I'm also ready to let them go when the time comes.

Yes, it can feel lonely sometimes. But I've learned to be happy by myself, and that's okay. I have myself.