Someone Once Told Me: "I Can Live Without You, But Would I Want to Live Without You? That's a Different Question" | Babita de Boer

Someone Once Told Me: "I Can Live Without You, But Would I Want to Live Without You? That's a Different Question"

33 · 4 min read · 04 Mar 2023 · 14 · 14 · 15

Sometimes, a simple phrase can have a profound impact on our lives. For me, that phrase came from someone very close to my heart. They said, "I can live without you, but would I want to live without you? That's a different question." Those words have stayed with me ever since, and they've taught me a valuable lesson about love, loss, and the importance of cherishing the people we hold dear.

At first, the phrase might seem like a contradiction. After all, how can someone say they can live without you but also say they wouldn't want to? I was mad for days, ignored this person for days. But as I thought more about it, I realized that it perfectly captures the complex and nuanced nature of our relationships with others.

The reality is that we can live without anyone

We can survive on our own, find new friends and partners, and build fulfilling lives without the people we once relied on. But just because we can live without someone doesn't mean we want to. When we love someone deeply, they become an integral part of our lives, and losing them would leave a profound void that could never truly be filled.

The phrase also reminds us of the impermanence of our relationships. Nothing lasts forever, and even the strongest bonds can be broken by circumstance or fate. But just because our time with someone may be limited, that doesn't mean it's any less valuable. Instead, it should encourage us to cherish the time we have with the people we love and make the most of every moment.

COVID-19 couples

For me, this phrase has taken on even greater significance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has forced many of us to confront the fragility of our relationships and the importance of staying connected to the people we care about. How many couples have confronted the difficulty of being apart?

But even as the pandemic has forced some of us apart physically, it's also brought us closer together in many ways. It's reminded us of the importance of checking in on each other, of being there for one another in times of need, and of staying connected even when we can't be together in person.

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15 comments

enigma

It is certainly a compliment if someone decides that they don't WANT to go on living without you, but they can. In principle, we can all do it, but we often just want to stay with the other person.

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Sharon

It's a beautiful way to tell you that they love you but that at the same time they're independent, since we really don't need anyone to live life, everything happens, both good and bad. Once they told me “I prefer your friendship to nothing” was the nicest thing I ever heard.

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ellesvandenbroek

ellesvandenbroek

Beautifully written again! It is precisely what affects and perhaps hurts you that has often reached a point that you can/may/want/should work on.

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Dewaputra

When you make such a statement “a quarter of a turn”, it suddenly takes on a completely different meaning, so that you can indeed come to another, valuable insight. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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Madeleine

pretty! People I care about and love are in my heart. Even though we can live alone without each other, I love them and carry them in my heart every day and I think about them wherever they are. I give them everything and hope they are doing well and will... Show morepretty! People I care about and love are in my heart. Even though we can live alone without each other, I love them and carry them in my heart every day and I think about them wherever they are. I give them everything and hope they are doing well and will keep thinking about and loving them. I also know that sometimes someone can't love you as much as you'd like. That hurts, but at the same time, it's fair if someone says that to you. That doesn't have to mean that they don't care about you or don't love you. Sometimes they love you so much that it's better to let go out of love. That happened to me years ago. That was difficult, but I understand their choice.

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De verhalenheks

De verhalenheks

Je zou inderdaad zonder je geliefde kunnen leven. Je gaat dan door want je hart stopt niet zomaar met kloppen en heel veel dingen gaan automatisch ... maar zonder die ene persoon is het vaak meer overleven ipv van LEVEN.

Kinderworkshops Petra

Kinderworkshops Petra

What she says is absolutely true. Theoretically, anyone can live without a loved one. Sometimes you have to. But in practice, the bottom line is that it turns out to be incredibly difficult to live without your loved one. One person does and the other person can't figure it out. Beautifully described.

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fanny

These words are a little hard to hear from a close person, yes, but we have learned with everything that has happened, it is good to value every moment of our life, and well, I also heard this, which was something very hurtful, but as you say, to realize reality to make life easier.

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mar52

Your way of communicating is so emotionally charged, people aren't going to listen to that, that's a shame. What I have to say has value, but when my emotions resonate too much, people take my message harder. That has had value.

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LCMA

I loved your post, it's very human and it teaches a lot about love. Right now I don't remember a phrase that would mark me, but I'm sure there is one.

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Maria

It's a hackneyed phrase, but it's true we hold on to people and even though we don't need anyone we create bonds that bind us tightly

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Leo 1

Wise words put in a realistic context. Wanting and being able to do so are thoughts that people often conflict with each other. Especially with regard to love and relationship.

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Rudy Siedlecki 🌳

Rudy Siedlecki 🌳

That reminds me of another sentence I read recently: “Love always ends tragically: either we get separated or the other person dies.”
And yet, it's always worth getting started.

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Ingrid

sure! Before someone knew their loved one, they were also alive. (Okay, except for parents and possibly existing siblings).)

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Madeleine

+100 YP

Informative