Ever since I could remember, saying bye always felt painful and unnatural to me in every way possible. Leaving people is always a difficult task but in my eyes, it always feels like a major part of my body is being taken away from me.

This pain occurs every single time someone leaves for a long period of time, even if I know for a fact that I'll see them in a few months. It's a pain that's difficult to describe as my emotions consume my body and I'm not even able to enjoy the last few minutes or hours that I share with the person.

Although these days are difficult and I'm not much of a fan of the feeling, I do my best to live in the moment. I pause when it hits me and I wait for it to pass as it does eventually. Those who love and care about me the most understand that this is something that I can't necessarily control and they don't love me any less for how I act.

My separation anxiety upsets those around me but at the same time we adjust and figure out other ways to leave without stressing about the process. Luckily my parents have been able to understand and work with me to better my experience when I leave for school or they leave me.

Don't get me wrong, I have slip ups and this happens quite a lot as things aren't predictable and my emotions could easily get the best of me. Yet, I do my best to look at the big picture and the happiness that my University gives me when I go back every year.

I've learned that it's okay to feel everything I'm feeling and life is constantly creating obstacles for me to overcome which makes the person I am even stronger. My separation anxiety doesn't hold me back, it only pushes me forward.

Not many people even know that I deal with this little bump in the road every year, which makes it even more interesting when I say bye to them and start crying. They usually don't seem phased towards the beginning of the embrace but towards the end, they understand and continue to not judge me or criticize my feelings for being any different than theirs.

I'll always be thankful for every experience that I've been through due to the person that eventually comes out of it. I've learned that my personal growth and strength have been tested throughout the years, but it's important to remember how you got to the place you are now and who helped you along the way.

It's easy to get caught up in the moment, but sometimes I just take a seat and think about everything that made me the person I am today. My separation anxiety doesn't define me, it's just another aspect of my life that has shaped me into the version of myself that leaves and doesn't hold back.