The Five Emotional Stages of Leaving your Friends for Summer Vacation

The first stage is always denial …

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Friends sharing a laugh

The friends you make at university are ones that are made to last a lifetime. 

After all, they are the ones who carried you through your slob-kabob freshman year, studied with you during sophomore year’s terrible twos, and even let you cry on their shoulder when that dream internship turned you down junior year. 

Your college friends have seen you through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly! It’s only natural, then, that leaving them for any period of time can cause your world to dramatically implode. Which is exactly what happens when summer break rolls around — ouch.

In order to accept the distance between you, it is only natural to go through the emotional stages of soul sister withdrawal: 

1. Denial

It’s not really happening … is it?!

The first emotional stage of leaving your friends for the summer is denial. 

No, it’s not happening! How could it happen? It’s summer already and time to move home? Wait, what?!

2. Relief

Time for some me time!

The second emotional stage is relief. You have been surrounded by people 25/8 all semester so it’s nice to relax a little. At first. Of course, the only downside to relaxing is it gets boring … fast. 

So trust me, this stage DOES NOT last very long. Soon, you’ll move on to…

3. Despair

After your moment of bubble baths, sleeping in, watching movies, and pigging out, reality sets in.

Yes, this is what you usually do with your time. But, don’t you usually do it with your hot mess express gal pals??

You are tired, lonely, and missing the people that just get you. Sob.

4. Dealing

I’m sorry, but someone has got to say it: Get off your booty and get to work! 

Getting back on that grind is the best way to get your mind off of the friends you’re missing and onto more productive things! This stage will carry you through the summer months.

Examples include: making money so you can do fun stuff with your friends and working out so you can dance the night away with your friends while looking your best.

5. Road Trips

The best part about missing someone is that it gives you an excuse for spontaneous road trips and lots of memories! So plan that fun road trip and get your fix of your BFFs — it’s a win-win.

The only downside?

Your emotions will be set right back into denial when you get home.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and only strengthens the already enormous bond you share with your college girlfriends! Fear not, because fall will be here before you know it and you’ll all be reunited once more. 

friends sharing a fun night out

I want to hear from you in the comments below! 

How do you cope with missing your friends over vacations? Are there any home remedies you have to feel better? 

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