We've all had to say goodbye at one point or another in our lives. It's a natural occurrence that will most likely happen to you more than once.

There's very little that can be done about it besides go through with it.

When I was 16 I stepped on a plane that would take me far away from the only life I had ever known. That day, which I still clearly remember in my head, marked the beginning of so many goodbyes that I've had to say. Now that I am almost 25, I still haven't gotten used to saying goodbye anymore than I did all these years ago.

I get this uneasy feeling in my stomach as the day that I have to yet say goodbye again is approaching. I know that it is just part of my life but the sadness that overcomes me doesn't get any less. I wish that there was something that I could do so it wouldn't have to be like this, even though I know there is nothing I can do about it.

In the beginning, I just couldn't wrap my head around why I had to say goodbye so often. But living abroad leaves you very little choice besides accepting the fact that from now on saying goodbye will be part of your life. That doesn't mean that it will get any easier, it just means that it will be part of you and something that you just have to do.

Airports became my second home and it's most likely the only place in the world for me that holds joy and sadness so close together. Because when I am at the airport I will have to say goodbye to someone but I also know that once I get off that plane there will be someone waiting for me with open arms and a big fat smile that says hello. Even if sometimes only a few short weeks later I am right back at the airport saying yet another tear-filled goodbye. But even then there is someone else waiting at the other airport for me.

It's the cycle of my life and I need to embrace it.

While saying goodbye might never get any easier for me and my emotions will always get the best of me on these days, I have learned one thing. That despite all the pain it might bring, I am incredibly lucky. It's been more than 5 years that I have lived in my own country but yet I still have so many people back there that make saying goodbye so hard.

No matter where I go in this world, I am always sure of one thing. The love that these people have for me knows no boundaries and I will always have a place to go back to.

Every goodbye that I say will bring me closer to the next hello.

And for that, I will be forever grateful!