It was a normal evening, my mom had called me down to eat dinner. Usually, I would race my brother down to the dinner table, whoever came last would have to set the table. 

But I noticed something was different. Someone was missing. 

I noticed my brother, Nishant, was not there as he left for UT Austin earlier that day. It did not hit until the dinner was quiet, the silence making me realize my brother was actually living a new chapter of his life at college. 

For many families, the day a sibling leaves for college or work feels like a turning point. The change is all so sudden. You start to realize that things will be different, and no matter how hard you prepare for it, the silence hits harder than expected. 

The change when a sibling leaves feels like a part of you is also gone. The laughter, the unnecessary arguments, and even their presence fades away. It leaves behind a silence that can feel uncomfortable and heavy. 

When my brother, Nishant, left for college in 2020, I never thought it would be so hard. Not only because I did not have someone I could spend my time with, but it also meant stepping into new roles, a sudden shift.

 All eyes were on me to do everything. My brother’s responsibilities were now mine. Every chore that had to be done was my responsibility. I was growing up faster than I wanted to, and being 10 at the time, I despised it.

But over time, the responsibilities I once hated taught me lessons of independence. I found things I was good or bad at. I found myself doing more chores and more involved in decision making in family conversations. To fix the silence, I learned new ways to entertain myself and create routines shaping me today. Even the things I struggled with, I learned to get better at. Every challenge became a reminder that I was capable of more than I realized. 

It takes time to adjust to the quiet household. It is OK to be sad and let all your emotions out. It is not something you get over in one night. The house will be different and start to change, but so will you.

Change creates space for growth. It challenges you to adapt, to take on new roles, and discover strengths you did not realize. It becomes a space for reflection and maturity.

When siblings leave for college, do not think of it as a bad thing. Think of it as a chance to grow through the change and be adaptable. It is not just a beginning for them, it is also a beginning for you. 

While it does feel like something is missing, it opens a door to resilience and independence. Change may be hard, but it is a way to help us grow.

I realize my brother’s absence had a major impact on my life, but it also gave me the chance to discover independence, resilience and strength. Everything always happens for a reason. Change taught me that even in moments where there is loss, there is always going to be room where you can grow. 

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