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Endings of relationships are about closure and having the opportunity to say what needs to be said.

Some people push their feelings to the side, while others live with false hope, both impacting their futures.

Good closure is about accepting reality and repairing old wounds through some form of conversation.

It's the end of summer camp when you're ten, and you're parting with your best-ever new friends. Or, you're saying goodbye to colleagues from your job, promising to stay in touch when you realize you probably never will. Or it’s a more serious, life-changing moment, like a big breakup, a divorce, the loss of a close friend, a grandparent, a parent, or even your best-buddy dog. Life is filled with loss and goodbyes that, like it or not, shape us—not only because of the absence of the other, but also because of how we cope with the inevitable future losses that will come our way.

Saying goodbye is about psychological closure, but there are good and not-so-good ways to do this. Here are a couple of the not-so-good ways:

1. Pretending it didn’t happen

We've all met them — folks who simply march ahead as though nothing has happened. They simply think summer camp is over; the breakup was destined and a relief; grandma had a good death; and they're glad the drama around the divorce is........

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