Pensive

Many aspects of life are troubling, but sometimes I think it is helpful to identify a particular difficulty, as a first step towards understanding why it is so.

One of the hardest things to deal with is the realization that something important to us will never be the same. I don't mean that we live in a constant state of denial, nor am I stating the simple concept that we all understand: change is difficult. Of course, the typical situations fit into this framework: graduating from high school or college, gaining financial independence, the death of a loved one. But I'd like to focus on events that are less flagrant but more intangible. I'm talking about changes that affect our core perception of our surroundings, particularly towards those people with whom we share mutual love and respect. I'm talking about changes in not just our lifestyle but the lifestyles of those closest to us and how each of those forces impact these relationships that are most central to our lives.

My main question is, why are some of these changes so much harder than other (similar) ones? Why do we dwell on a certain painful experience, or difficult change, but quickly adapt to another? Of course, it depends on the exact details of the situation. But that is what I am interested in. What are those details and is there a link between one difficult situation and another?

Relationships change, friends grow apart and move away, and new friendships form. These are realities that we all experience and stuggle with.