What to Do When You Miss Someone: How to Cope with Longing and Heartache?

What to Do When You Miss Someone: Coping with Longing and Heartache

Understanding the Feeling of Missing Someone

We all go through it – that ache in your chest when someone you care about isn’t around. Whether it's a friend, family member, or romantic partner, missing someone is a universal experience. And while it might seem overwhelming, it’s completely natural. It’s your heart’s way of signaling how much that person means to you. But what can you do with this feeling?

I was just talking with my friend Sarah about this last week. She’s been missing her best friend, who moved overseas, and it got me thinking about all the things we can do when we’re feeling like this. I mean, it’s easy to get lost in the sadness, right? But there are actually some things you can try to help ease that feeling.

Acknowledge Your Emotions

Don't Ignore the Feeling

The first step in dealing with missing someone is recognizing and acknowledging that you miss them. Don’t try to bottle it up or pretend it’s not there. Trust me, I’ve been there – when I was in a long-distance relationship a couple of years ago, I tried to avoid the feeling of missing my partner, and it just made everything worse.

You don’t have to suppress emotions like longing or sadness. It’s okay to sit with those feelings for a bit. I actually realized that when I accepted how much I missed someone, I could process it better and eventually move through it. It's a process.

Talk to Someone You Trust

When you miss someone, talking to someone you trust can be a huge help. It’s kind of like a mini therapy session – letting everything out without judgment. I remember a few months ago, when I was missing a friend who had moved to a different city, I called up my cousin. It felt so good to just say, "Hey, I miss them so much," and have someone listen. Sometimes just voicing your feelings can give you a huge emotional release.

Stay Connected with the Person

Reach Out to Them

If possible, reach out to the person you miss. I know it might seem obvious, but sometimes it’s hard to make that first move. I remember once, I was missing my old roommate and feeling frustrated because we didn’t have time to chat. But then I decided to send her a message, and it felt like the distance wasn’t so great anymore. Even a simple “Hey, thinking of you!” can bridge that gap.

Technology is a gift here—video calls, texts, social media, and emails are all tools that can help you feel closer, even when miles apart. And, you know, even though it can be tough, maintaining that connection might be exactly what you need to feel better.

Share a Memory Together

I remember once I had this idea to send an old photo to a friend I was missing. It was a picture from one of our trips together. I captioned it, “Miss those days!” and it instantly made me feel more connected. It made me realize that, even if we’re apart, we still share meaningful memories that can bring us comfort when we’re feeling lonely.

Distract Yourself, But Not By Avoiding

Keep Busy, But Stay Present

Sometimes, the best way to deal with missing someone is to distract yourself by doing something you enjoy or something that makes you feel good. I know, I know—distracting yourself doesn’t “fix” the feeling, but it can definitely help lighten the load. When I miss someone, I tend to dive into hobbies or even just binge-watch a show I’ve been meaning to catch up on.

But, here’s the thing: don’t distract yourself to the point where you’re just avoiding the emotion. I’ve tried that too, and it never works long-term. It’s more about keeping your mind occupied while still allowing yourself moments to reflect on the person you miss. Like balancing work with a little self-care.

Take Care of Yourself

One thing that helped me when I was missing someone was focusing on self-care. Whether it's going for a run, taking a long bath, or just reading a good book, making sure you're taking care of your body and mind can be a powerful way to heal. I also found that doing something for myself—like buying a small treat or indulging in my favorite coffee—could actually lift my mood a lot.

Create a Ritual to Stay Close

Build Traditions Together

This one might sound a bit cheesy, but hear me out. When I was in a long-distance relationship, we had this little tradition where every Sunday night, we would watch the same show or movie while texting each other about it. Even though we were apart, it gave us a little piece of our shared life. Maybe you have a friend who loves sending voice notes or sharing funny memes. Little rituals like these can make the distance feel smaller and give you something to look forward to.

Make Future Plans

Looking ahead can also help. If you miss someone because they’re far away, start thinking about the next time you’ll be together. Whether it’s planning a visit, a trip, or even a simple meetup, having something to look forward to can keep the hope alive and lessen the sting of missing them. I remember how excited I was for my next trip to visit a friend. The anticipation was honestly a huge part of what got me through the waiting.

Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Miss Someone

Look, missing someone can feel heavy at times, and there’s no easy fix. But the key is remembering that it’s okay to feel that way—it shows how much you care. Don’t rush through it. Acknowledge it, stay connected, distract yourself when needed, and look forward to future moments together. You’ll get through it, and who knows? Maybe this time apart will make the next reunion even sweeter.

If you’re going through it right now, know that you’re not alone. It’s part of being human, and it doesn’t have to define your day or your mood. It’s just a reminder of how much that person means to you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.