DEPARTING

Example: ‘I was leaving some people, like at a junior school. Some of the children tried to detain me, with the attitude that I was defying teacher’s authority, and they restrained me with the rules they restrained themselves with. I broke free and walked off’ (Timothy). As in the example, a breaking away from old or habitual patterns of behaviour, leaving a situation, such as a relationship, a financial set-up or work; the struggle to become independent as in leaving home. Sometimes desire to get away from responsibility or difficul­ties. Can also refer to death, perhaps when we see a spouse walking away from us, or departing on a journey. This is not necessarily a prediction, but confronting the situation. Idioms: new departure, the departed (dead); leave in the lurch; leave someone to it, left holding the baby.