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Here’s How Our Relationships Change Over Time (10 Illustrations)
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Here’s How Our Relationships Change Over Time (10 Illustrations)

10 Simple Illustrations That Show How Our Relationships Change Over TimeArtists Shows How Our Relationships Change Over Time With 10 Simple IllustrationsHow Our Relationships Change Over Time In 10 Simple Line IllustrationsHere's How Our Relationships Change Over Time (10 Illustrations)Artist Uses Simple Lines To Show How Our Relationships Change Over TimeHow Our Relationships Change Over Time Explained With Simple Lines10 Relationship Lines That Perfectly Sum Up Your LifeArtist Perfectly Illustrates The Closeness In Human Relationships Using Simple Lines10 Artist Sums Up Our Relationships With Simple Lines And It Will Hit You Hard In The Feels
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The genius often lies within the simple. Recently, ‘The New Yorker‘ artist Olivia de Recat has perfectly illustrated the complex dynamics of human relationships by drawing parallel lines, and they will have you smiling and crying at the same time.

“I bristle a little at the idea of ‘holding on’” to people,” de Recat told Bored Panda. “Something the simple drawings are meant to illustrate, and that I’ve come to believe is that closeness is kind of like a dance. Each type of relationship consists of two lives, independent and moving by/of their own volition. So, you really can’t force closeness between two people. All you can do is be there for the ones you love when they need you, and vice versa. This is perhaps why the ‘Parent’ line punched so many people in the gut.”

Image credits: Terence Patrick

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“I think it’s important to identify when relationships (specifically friendships/romantic relationships) are difficult in ways that aren’t worth your energy. Knowing that comes from understanding your core values and feeling confident about where your ‘line’ is going. When you’re at peace with yourself, I think you’re drawn to partners who are moving in a similar direction, even if they can be a pain in the ass sometimes. In the end, there will probably be only a small handful of individuals who stay with you through the thick and the thin. That’s okay. In time, you’ll know who these people are because they will ignite something inside of you that is true and dazzling and ineffable. In committing to them, whether best friends or partners, you’ll also be committing to yourself.”

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“Honestly, for the longest time, I was the MVP of NOT letting go,” the artist said. “I could give you a laundry list of ways to keep the memories of your past relationships alive. They range from rereading journal entries to listening to old playlists, solving past relationship problems, and monitoring that person’s Venmo transactions. Don’t do any of those things [if you want to learn how to part with people].” Nowadays, her hunch is that to let go of someone, you must face your pain, head-on. “The pain just exists, and you can either deal with it upfront or drop it in a hole and handle it later. Either way, it’s going to resurface. And if you choose to bury it, it will probably germinate into some bizarre, unruly thing that will threaten all the good stuff you’ve been planting. In the same vein – and this is easier said than done – I’m beginning to think that letting go is about getting really comfortable with reality. If your line has taken you in a different direction, if their line has veered sharply away from yours, there is the temptation to project forward or look back to a time when you were closer. One way I’m learning to let go is by releasing myself from the idea of how I think my lines should be, and allow them to exist as they are.”

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More info: oliviaderecat.comInstagram

Immediately, many people started relating to Olivia’s work

Someone even made one saddening drawing themselves:

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tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog is the most in sync relationship you'll ever have. And unfortunately, the shortest :'(

Pumbaa
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

More than the Parent one? You must've had a sad childhood :(

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ness
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

im pretty lucky to still be with my first love met him at 14 had a baby girl at 16 and at 26 we are still together we stuck with each other through the worst and best of one another, through being dead broke teen parents, and through living comfortably, and hes held my hand through being diagnosed with a chronic painful disease. 12 years later we are still going strong im planning on staying with him for the rest of eternity I love that man more then life and our lines will forever be intertwined no matter how bumpy or smooth the ride is.

PyroKitty
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so happy for you guys that you made it through together and are still strong. I wish you many blessings and much love in the future! <3

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K.R.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like everyone else here... dog. (And there are those stupid onion cutting ninjas(OCN) again).

Bluebell Rizzi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm prepared for downvotes, but it just kind of bugs me that artists can get so much recognition from drawing lines. I appreciate the statement, but still.

Frozengeckolover
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't all art just lines? Or shapes? Or depictions? Art is a representation of a deeper meaning. One, or all, of these concepts are presented in a way meant to evoke an emotional response from the person viewing the representation. Looking at the comments, I would say that this "art" has definitely gotten emotional responses, whether negative or positive. Honestly, I think the responses are why this is getting so much recognition (the discourse has become part of the "art"). I think it has served it's purpose. Like all art, it doesn't speak to everyone. Some might say, "You don't get it"; I think you "get it", but it just doesn't speak to you. That's fine. I'm not judging you; just explaining. Also, thank you for presenting your opinion in a civilized manner.

Load More Replies...
Enola Brinkley-Crayton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, the siblings fit my family and currently, we are on the distant again.

Rachel Franke
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Physical closeness is not the definitive measure of "closeness". You do not get "close" enough to your one night stand to make it worth having your lines touch, DEFINITELY not more so than your family and best friends. Please remember that romantic/sexual relationships are not automatically superior to platonic/familial ones.

Frozengeckolover
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could the one night stand lines not touch? Two lives met, but they immediately parted; like two cars going different ways at an intersection. They crossed paths, and never met again. That is why their lines are not parallel at any point in time. Not to be crude, but I'm pretty sure you have to "touch" your one night stand. Relationships take many different forms and impact everyone's life differently. To YOU a relationship is defined by emotional closeness developed through family ties or or platonic connections. Not everyone is like you. I've had a "friend with benefits" who I could depend on more than my own mother.

Load More Replies...
TJler
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I too stupid to understand this or does it not make any sense?

tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog is the most in sync relationship you'll ever have. And unfortunately, the shortest :'(

Pumbaa
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

More than the Parent one? You must've had a sad childhood :(

Load More Replies...
ness
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

im pretty lucky to still be with my first love met him at 14 had a baby girl at 16 and at 26 we are still together we stuck with each other through the worst and best of one another, through being dead broke teen parents, and through living comfortably, and hes held my hand through being diagnosed with a chronic painful disease. 12 years later we are still going strong im planning on staying with him for the rest of eternity I love that man more then life and our lines will forever be intertwined no matter how bumpy or smooth the ride is.

PyroKitty
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so happy for you guys that you made it through together and are still strong. I wish you many blessings and much love in the future! <3

Load More Replies...
K.R.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like everyone else here... dog. (And there are those stupid onion cutting ninjas(OCN) again).

Bluebell Rizzi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm prepared for downvotes, but it just kind of bugs me that artists can get so much recognition from drawing lines. I appreciate the statement, but still.

Frozengeckolover
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't all art just lines? Or shapes? Or depictions? Art is a representation of a deeper meaning. One, or all, of these concepts are presented in a way meant to evoke an emotional response from the person viewing the representation. Looking at the comments, I would say that this "art" has definitely gotten emotional responses, whether negative or positive. Honestly, I think the responses are why this is getting so much recognition (the discourse has become part of the "art"). I think it has served it's purpose. Like all art, it doesn't speak to everyone. Some might say, "You don't get it"; I think you "get it", but it just doesn't speak to you. That's fine. I'm not judging you; just explaining. Also, thank you for presenting your opinion in a civilized manner.

Load More Replies...
Enola Brinkley-Crayton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, the siblings fit my family and currently, we are on the distant again.

Rachel Franke
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Physical closeness is not the definitive measure of "closeness". You do not get "close" enough to your one night stand to make it worth having your lines touch, DEFINITELY not more so than your family and best friends. Please remember that romantic/sexual relationships are not automatically superior to platonic/familial ones.

Frozengeckolover
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could the one night stand lines not touch? Two lives met, but they immediately parted; like two cars going different ways at an intersection. They crossed paths, and never met again. That is why their lines are not parallel at any point in time. Not to be crude, but I'm pretty sure you have to "touch" your one night stand. Relationships take many different forms and impact everyone's life differently. To YOU a relationship is defined by emotional closeness developed through family ties or or platonic connections. Not everyone is like you. I've had a "friend with benefits" who I could depend on more than my own mother.

Load More Replies...
TJler
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I too stupid to understand this or does it not make any sense?

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