Disproportionate sadness when leaving people I meet while travelling

Travel Companions We Never Keep: Dealing with Sudden Post-Visit Melancholy After Meeting Fellow Travelers

I’ve always loved solo travel. I’m independent and don’t rely on constant social contact, whether I’m at home or on the road. It’s easy for me to spend days exploring new places and interacting mainly with waitstaff and hotel staff, without needing a robust social circle.

Yet I’ve noticed a recurring pattern: when I meet someone I click with, I become disproportionately sad when we inevitably part ways. The feeling can be so intense that I’ve skipped plans that would lead to a goodbye, because I anticipate tears and don’t want to draw attention to myself. Often, I remain a emotional bundle for the rest of the day, sometimes into the next. These are people I’ve known for just a day or two, and in many cases I know we wouldn’t—or couldn’t—maintain a long-distance friendship. That said, I’ve rarely experienced this level of sadness with people I’ve met back home, though I do have a small, not-quite-close social circle and I grapple with loneliness from time to time.

I recognize that this response isn’t “normal,” and I’m curious if other travelers experience something similar. I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and having conversations, but I’m always bracing for the goodbye in advance. Any tips on how to cope would be greatly appreciated, as this sadness often dampens a significant portion of the travel experience.