Family is something that almost every person in the world can relate to, whether by blood, marriage, or choice. You love your family, with all your heart and unconditionally. It’s a group you live with for most of your life, until it's time for you to step out into the world on your own. Maybe you’re leaving for college, the military, or moving in with friends/a significant other. It's this time when you finally leave the home you have always known, and it’s terrifying.

To start off, you need to breathe. Everything will be fine. I had all of these same thoughts when I left for college my freshman year. Yes, it’s scary. All change is. But the difference is that there are many ways and resources to overcome this scary transition. Moving out and having a long-distance relationship with your family is hard, but it helps you grow.

Part of you worries if you can survive on your own, and if you’re able to live without the care of your family. You know what, you absolutely can. Many of us joke that we don’t know how to ‘adult,’ but that’s okay, many don’t. It’s a learning process, and that’s the glory of living on your own—you get the chance to learn that. But, what if you don’t know how to clean, do, or make something? Or you want to do it the way it was done at home? How do you overcome that?

First, there’s always the use of the Internet. Do you know how many times I’ve Googled how to make a recipe or what to do for a stain? A lot. But, there’s a time or two when I want my oatmeal the way my dad makes it, or the recipe for breakfast rice my mom has been making since I was a child. What do I do then?

It may sound obvious, but I call them. Living from home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite food the way it’s always been made. I know, it’s not the same because it’s you making it this time, but it’s still comforting. It’s home away from home, especially if it’s been a not so great day. Don’t be afraid to call your family, for anything. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called my own mom for things like how to cook, remove a stain, or get renter’s insurance. Your family, especially your parents, know these things. They’ll always be more than happy to answer a call from you and help you out. You just have to give them a ring.

Speaking of calling, there’s also something even easier that you can use if you can’t call your family. It’s called texting. In this day and age, most people are equipped with a cellphone that is text capable. Now, I know some people despise texting because it’s too ‘impersonal.’ But hear me out, okay?

I, for example, have a group chat with my three other sisters, even though I currently live with one of them. There are times when I want to turn to my younger sisters and say something or show them a silly picture I've found, but I can’t. The group chat allows me to say or show them what I want in that exact moment, and the other sisters can see it as well. It makes me feel better, like I’m not missing out on my relationship with them.

Besides texting and calling, there are a few more personal options to contact your family. Video chats, for example. Programs like Facetime, Skype, Google Hangouts are great (and free) sources to use for video calls. Sometimes, you don’t really feel like calling or texting, and you want to see their face when they talk. That’s completely okay. I’ve sometimes felt like I would forget what my family looked like if I didn’t see their faces through a picture or video.

iPhone users have the advantage of Facetime with other compatible phones. It’s the quickest and easiest way to see your family’s faces. Skype can be trickier, but if you like to sit in front of the computer to video call (or you don’t have an iPhone), that’s the best way to do it. With these programs, not only do you get to see the faces of your loved ones, but this is an excellent way to be involved in a family event that you can’t make it to. I’ve Facetimed when my cousins were having a birthday party so that I could sing with the family. Sometimes, you just have to think outside the box about how to see your family and stay involved.

I’ve covered the ways to stay involved and in contact with the devices like a phone or computer, but there are always a couple more ways. Social media is everywhere nowadays, and its sole purpose is to be connected to everything and everyone.

There are many ways and resources to overcome this scary transition.

Now, I’m not saying add them on every social media platform you have, but the big ones like Facebook, Snapchat (if they even have it), Twitter, and Instagram are a great place to start. You get to see basically live updates of what’s happening back home, even though you’re farther away.

The last little cheat I have for surviving your long-distance relationship with your family is simple: go visit them. Unless you have absolutely no way to get home or physically can’t, then what’s stopping you from taking a road trip back home?

This doesn’t mean go home every time you miss your family, as that can do more harm than good. But, if you’ve had a rough week or two or are missing home to the point that it hurts, then load yourself up and head on out. You and your family will enjoy the impromptu visit, a lot.

Living away from home is one of the biggest challenges a young adult can face. But, in the end, it’s actually really good for you as a person. This doesn’t mean you won’t ever miss your family—that’s normal. Just remember that you have endless resources at your fingertips that allow you to always remain in contact and involved with your family, no matter how far you go. Your long-distance relationship with your family is hard, but totally possible and enjoyable. Just remember, you'll always love each other.

Deanne Swaringen is born in raised in the quaint state of Missouri, in the small cornfield filled town of Winfield. She is a senior at the University of Central Missouri where she is studying Digital Media Production (Digital Cinema) and Theatre. She has a love for horror movies and hopes to direct one someday!