Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it’s coupled with a ton of mixed emotions and unanswered questions. The past year and a bit has been quite the ride, sharing life and laughs with Sheen, my housemate. We’ve lived a full twelve months packing in more memories than some manage in years, and as Sheen prepares to move out, it’s a bittersweet moment of reflection, sprinkled with a bit of excitement for what lies ahead.
Living together was never in the original plan. Sheen moved in for what was supposed to be a month, and somehow, that stretched into over a year. It became a routine filled with camaraderie, sharing the highs and lows, and sometimes just enjoying the simple pleasure of a late-night drive to McDonald’s. That’s something that will definitely be missed.
Our lives have changed in so many ways during this time. Sheen’s stepping onto a new path, moving to Dubai for work. It’s a big move with all the thrills and anxiety that comes with starting over in a new place. Meanwhile, I’m taking a significant leap myself, heading to London. It feels like a graduation of sorts—not from university but from a chapter in life that was comforting but now gives way to a new adventure. It’s that unique blend of melancholy and excitement that I suspect many feel during times of major change. The kind where you’re sad to see something end, but also thrilled at what’s around the corner.
Change is the only constant, they say. And yet, it brings a lot of questions. For us, it was all about understanding how we felt during this transition. Sadness about leaving friends behind? Sure. The impending novelty of a new city life? Absolutely! There’s a comforting predictability in knowing life’s next chapter is here, even if it means a shuffle in how we live and who we see every day.
As we dove into a casual yet revealing Q&A session driven by questions from our friends on social media, it became an amusing trip down memory lane. Reflecting on what made living together special, it wasn’t hard to pick out the little things. The random midnight escapades to grab a bite at McDonald’s, navigating through daily routines, or simply sharing those everyday moments filled with laughter and gripes alike made up the soul of our shared life.
Friends can feel like family, and living in the thick of the pandemic taught us a lot about valuing those connections. It’s been a year of growth, professional and personal. From wrapping up a PhD to juggling new business ventures, it’s clear that both Sheen and I experienced tremendous personal development. It’s amusing, looking back, that this time was peppered with so many “firsts” and achievements, like launching a YouTube Academy or embarking on writing projects. These milestones, sometimes more vivid because of the lockdown-induced simplicity of everything else, are markers of a whirlwind year.
One might ask—did we bicker? Of course. Shared spaces mean shared habits, good or bad. But beyond occasional annoyances, like who forgot to shut the fridge or the frequency of shoes left lying around, it was, more importantly, about the balance of personalities. The critical learning we gained from each other went beyond merely adjusting to quirks; it was about appreciating how someone else’s perspective could make a difference in your own.
Communication styles differ. While Sheen is emotionally intuitive, I approach things more methodically. But that balance made us realize the value in each other’s approach—me in understanding the emotional side of matters and Sheen adopting a more practical outlook. There’s wisdom in the idea that speaking and supporting each other as friends allows for exploring deeper vulnerabilities, and that’s a friend to treasure indeed.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this experience is how life prepares us for transitions by aligning us with the people who help shape our journey. Who knows, maybe there’s more adventure waiting and maybe, like the idea of ‘lobsters,’ we’ll always circle back to those who matter.
What now, one might ask? Is it the end of our story together? Hardly. It’s merely relocating chapters. There are future visits in the cards, planned trips to Dubai for team hangouts, and yes, a spare room across the oceans where new stories await.
But for now, it’s Sheen’s journey to Dubai and my new life in London. Though we won’t share everyday moments side by side, there’s comfort in knowing that meaningful friendships transcend geography. Regular Zoom calls and checking in over the phone can keep that bond strong. It’s about maintaining the connection as life propels us forward.
In closing, embarking on separate paths doesn’t erase the shared chapter, but instead enriches our individual stories. This year of living together was more than a practical arrangement; it was a mosaic of experiences, growth, and a testament to the beauty of friendship.
To anyone faced with the looming change of a close friend moving away, take it as a chance to explore new dynamics. Relish the good times, keep the lines of communication open, and look forward to all the ways you’ll continue to influence each other’s lives—even from afar. Here’s to a year well spent and a future full of possibilities. Cheers to that.