I Don't Know How You Do It!

So many people say to me that they don't know how I do it...
I suppose, in reality, it comes down to a few simple factors: trust, distraction and focus.

First of all, I have to trust that I am doing this for a reason. I would not want to be putting myself through the heartache of loneliness if there was going to be nothing in the end. It's also complete and utter trust in Aaron, that he is away from me but I know his thoughts aren't straying (particularly as he is in the Middle East... no women in sight!) and I believe him with my whole heart when he says that he misses me and loves me. And again, trust that if he doesn't feel safe or doesn't feel it's worth it anymore, he will come home. And the final aspect of trust; trust that if I tell him it's too much, that I can't handle it anymore, he will listen to me and come home. And that particularly is what makes it easier to carry on, easier to not give in, the knowledge that I just have to say the word.

Distraction is simple: keep busy! Making plans with my girlfriends, going out for dinner or lunch, going shopping, working long hours, all makes it easier. When you can go a few hours without dwelling, it makes the time fly past ten times faster. Another advantage I have is that I live with his family... there's always someone around and the fact that it's his family makes it easier to forget he's not here, even for a little while.

I have to remind myself to focus on the big picture. This is key in getting through each day. Remembering that in eighty years time (I'm an optimist) we will barely be able to remember these few measly years we sacrificed. Focusing on what we can achieve, what we will have at the end of all this: an amazing financial head start to life that not many other people our age can say they have, and the experience that Aaron has and will gain to secure his career for the rest of his working life.

I'm not going to pretend it's easy; I'm not going to pretend I don't get moody, or upset, or cry myself to sleep every now and again. But... it's not impossible.

And that's how I do it.