Camel26 said:
Dear Theater Family,
My beautiful Ler just took off yesterday on the summer of a lifetime--she's on a boat going around the world while studying called Semester at Sea. While I am incredibly proud of her for getting to go, and so happy for her as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I feel like someone gutted me and emptied me out, excpecting that I can still function normally without my other half. She'll be gone for more than 2 months, which doesn't seem like a lot, but when you've lived with someone for over a year, and have shared a life with them, this is a difficult time for us both.
So my question to you all is has anyone been separated from their spouse for an extended period of time and, if so, how did you deal with it? I can't stop crying and I'm physically ill from this whole thing. I need all the advice I can get.
If anyone is in Pittsburgh, I'm here...and looking to meet some new friends...so drop me a line!!!
Thank you in advance for any constructive advice you all can offer.
Lotsa love,
Camel
Hiya Camel! :happy:
Wow what a painful experience! I know it well! Not so much recently but i've sure known the feeling - which you describe so well.
Love (or affection) withdrawl is like that.
No really, a big part of the deadly feeling is exactly withdrawl both psychological and physiological. I won't bore you wiht the technicalities but trust me on this one.
Thinking of your pain in those genuine terms can help you get a handle on it.
there are a couple of simple things you can do which work for any kind of relationship withdrawl.
1) make yourself keep going with your regular routine - it will get better, cold turkey generally does if you stick with it. Your mind and body will reform around the new reality of your temporary parting.
2) stay in touch. Like the smoker who has a the patch your withdrawl will lessen if you make a point of staying in touch. We did a lot of phoning - it worked for us. but e-mail works too (though, beware of the missing parts of non-verbal communication. in e-mails simple questions can sound to the reader like nail scratches.) Letter or hallmark card writing or other artistic things works even better because in the time it takes to plan it, craft it and send it, your heart and soul are focused on your special one.
3) keep positive about your relationship. when the other is away it is easy to fear the worst. Most of all exercise
max forgiveness and grace in your own heart. Remember, what you may have thought was a mean thing probably had a heart-pain behind it. And that girl she met and told you about really was just a casual social encounter.
4) when all else fails watch the second digits of your clock radio - it's on your side doing a countdown till you will be together again!
🙂
There is more i could say, Camel, but i hope these help a little.
Just remember you'll be okay hun, and believe me, the reunion will erase all your present pain.
😀😀
Huggles girl! xxoo