Longing is a strong, often painful desire for something you do not have, such as a person, place, or experience. It usually lasts for a while and can fill your thoughts.
It comes from the verb “long,” meaning to yearn, plus the noun ending “‑ing.” The word has been used for centuries to describe deep emotional wanting.
Longing hurts, but it can also give life direction by showing you what matters most to you. Many songs, poems, and stories are powered by longing, because audiences instantly recognize that feeling of wanting something just out of reach.
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