What is the difference between missing someone and missing the idea of someone?

[Kulotz]

[Lottydotty]

The idea is inspired by the first impressions typically. The joyous smile and laughter. The initial brightly colored connections. But people let reality fall in and now you see other sides. Maybe that is a person they are inside still. But does it exactly matter if all they give you is something else? I've experienced many "relationships" where all we had to go off of were the idea of eachother. For me it stalled progression as a person and in the relationship. It can easily be a negative thing we cling to because our minds can get romantically creative, we have billions of media telling us love can be like magic if you let it. So there is always part us yearning for that magic that would make us internally feel complete in many ways. And I think it's just human to hope for better, better love and understanding. We want that girl or that guy that smiles us and knows us with more confidence than they knew they could have. There's been many cases of emotional blockage that holds them back for no essential reason, but it's possible you're not able to clear it and you'll instead spend months to years trying for no real enough change. But try to reach it if it's worth it to you. Most online advices won't help much, it's all between them and you. Again just how I've seen it, went on a bit much maybe. Anyhow.

[coachTanthony]

Sometimes you don't miss the person sometimes you miss the pain that person gave you because you lived with it for so long. Many times when people miss someone they miss what could of been and thoughts of future you and them together doing everything you dreamed of doing.

[bobalife]

I miss you and the thought of you or what we had and could have, but I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to reconnect with you or you’re not what I’d hope for but I wanted you to be that ideal person that you’re not..
VS
I miss you and wish you were here or could be spending time with me because you are the person I see in my present and future time

[jennifer_bloom]

I think truly missing someone is when a positive trait they used to offer you is no longer accessible to you in the same way.

Missing the idea of somebody is when you bond with them out of attachment, habit or attachment style, and not necessarily because they manifest any personally beneficial traits in your life.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Well, darling, missing someone is like craving your favorite ice cream on a hot summer day. You know its flavor, its texture, and how it makes you feel. It’s tangible, real, and utterly satisfying. You miss their quirks, their voice, and the comfort they bring to your life. It’s personal and specific.

Now, missing the idea of someone, oh, that’s a whole other ball game! It’s like longing for a gourmet meal you've never tasted, based only on rave reviews. You’re in love with the concept, the potential thrill, and the idea of how wonderful it could be. It’s often tied to the honeymoon phase, where everything feels perfect and you overlook their flaws. Essentially, you're missing a beautifully wrapped box without knowing what's inside.

The difference lies in depth and reality; one is about missing the genuine connection, and the other is a longing for a fantasy that may never have existed. Keep it real, love, and cherish the flavors you truly know and love!

[b_lova]

I didn't know if you are old enough to get this reference, but I miss Robin Williams.

I never met him, but I enjoyed his movies all my life. Turns out that he didn't enjoy his life, because he committed suicide. It would seem that we, society, feel in love with the idea of who he was and not actually who he was.

When we fall in love with a person it's hard to say if we fall in love with the person or our own idea of who the person is. This happens in marriage all the time and one of the reasons people get divorced. People can be good at masking who they are and sometimes it takes years to see past that mask.

[c4rtm4nroolz]

It means you truly don’t know the person entirely, it means having the answers right in front of you and not being able to see them because you’re blinded by the way you view them. you miss the illusion of the person that you’ve taught yourself to love.

[TommyMountainFigure]

The idea of missing someone means you could be missing ANYONE.. as oposed to missing that particular person!

[TommyMountainFigure]

*Opposed

[ProbablyClueless]

The difference is the specificity and purpose of what you're feeling. When you miss the idea of someone, you miss a version of them that serves your needs, as opposed to who they really are.

In a bizarre way, you could almost take or leave the real person. You could switch them out for any other person because the actual person isn't the focus of your feelings, only the feeling itself.

[WhitneySnow]

One you’re really missing the person, the other you’re just missing an idealized version of them. The first one is much better.

[legman528]

I would ask if you miss a specific quality or trait in the person, or just feel lonely without somebody.

[genericname85]

the difference is that if you missed someone, you'll actually be happy if they're back with you. and if you just missed the idea of them, you won't be happy when they're back.

[NathanDavis]

idealization... rarely does any good, or ever

[boggboss]

One is the thoughts of that person in your head the other is the actual person

[Anonymous]

When u miss someone, you miss their presence

When you miss the idea of someone, you miss the vibes and memories but not their presence

[KrakenAttackin]

You miss having a simp to do your bidding.