Oh, Great. Now I Have Awful Separation Anxiety!

Melissa Smith
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

July 25 — The goodbyes still aren’t over! Tonight is our Berlin farewell party and after people are leaving to go home. I knew about a few but another Roamer posted very unexpectedly he’s leaving too. I was not shy about telling him of my disapproval. I can’t take much more.

We leave Berlin for Split in two days and it’s time to begin washing, packing, and shipping. I like to have everything done in advance and only in Prague have I left anything until the morning. Traveling by bus with no weight restrictions and two huge suitcases was the easiest packing I’ve ever done.

Since we’re flying on EasyJet our weight limits have been lowered from 23kg to 20kg. A very important 3kg to be missed. Many of us are freaking out because to be over is more expensive than another checked bag. I’ve added more clothes this month and I’m not sorry. I’ll check another bag if I have to.

Shipping things home wasn’t too difficult. For the first time I remembered to bring my passport. Of course, this was the one time I wasn’t asked for it. Some of the items are high value gifts so I am worried about them getting stolen or hung up in customs. They are also sentimental and difficult to look at. When you add in their weight, no matter how little, and space in my luggage they must be shipped out.

On the way home I was already feeling numb about tonight’s party. As I stood on the train staring aimlessly this woman yelled out and everyone got very serious. I didn’t know what was happening. Turns out she was an undercover train cop (probably not the correct title). All the passengers began showing their tickets, including myself, and no busts were made today in my train car.

The rain has started up again. My mom both brought the sun and took it with her. Better for them. They’re still on vacation. Me, well, I’m working and living around the world. We chase the sun so there will be more in my future as I skip fall and winter this year.

— -

The night began somberly as I went to my friend’s apartment to meet up with her and her roommates before heading to the party. I left a card for her to read later. There’s a chance we’ll see each other again, but I don’t want to leave this up to chance.

Another night of putting on my facade and tucking my feelings away. It’s supposed to be a fun occasion. I can’t let my emotions bring the party down. One Roamer didn’t say goodbye and already left. I wasn’t happy about it and messaged him to virtually shake my finger and then tell him how much I’ll miss him.

Since it’s my old roommate’s last hoorah I stayed out later than normal and was like her wingman. I couldn’t hold out as long as she and called it a night at 3 o’clock in the morning. It wasn’t as if I was having a great party time anyways. I’m sure I wasn’t missed. There is so much going on. So many people leaving.

I’m starting to get very anxious. Separation anxiety is getting the best of me and I don’t like it.

My end of day gratitude:

  1. Shipping things home which I know will be better for me in the long run.
  2. Being able to say goodbye to most of the Roamers in person.
  3. Having friendships that won’t end simply because their tour ended

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My Year As A “Roamer”

The daily life of a human while working and living in 12 countries in 12 months in 2017.

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Melissa Smith

Written by

World traveler. Virtual Assistant Matchmaker. Remote Work Consultant. Entrepreneur. Bestselling Author. Mother. Sister. Daughter. Human. Everybody is somebody.

My Year As A “Roamer”

The daily life of a human while working and living in 12 countries in 12 months in 2017.

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