Skip to main content

Overcoming My 2014 Dilemma


    It’s normal to look back on your experiences, especially when a new year comes around. Usually I look back at these memories with fondness and gratitude, but something about this year was different. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very thankful for the multitude of blessings that surrounded me in 2013, but when I took my trip down memory lane as the time kept ticking towards 12am, things just felt rather unsettling to me.

     I did a lot this past year and got put into many situations where I was kind of forced to meet new people and branch out of my comfort zone. While that certainly wasn’t easy for someone who is rather quiet and introverted like me, I couldn’t be happier that I ended up in those circumstances. I had the privilege of meeting people that I genuinely enjoyed. Even though I keep to myself more often than not,  I’d still say that I’m very people-oriented and have a lot of positive things to say about those who I’ve been close to for some time and even those who I was only introduced to for a short while. Here’s where the unsettling part comes in.

     I will always be a firm believer in the idea that almost everyone we encounter is meant to teach us something, but what never seems right is that they tend to leave after the lesson is learned. I’d like to think that I don’t get attached to people easily but when you you’re a naturally accepting and caring human being, chances are your big heart has already made room for people you’re just getting to know; and that can suck.

     I know that life never stays the same for long, but I hate the fact that I can come across new, fun, and down-to-earth people all while growing accustomed to their presence in as little as 2 days and then suddenly I’m never going to see them again. It’s just something my mind likes to dwell on because I know not everyone thinks this way; there are some people who don’t get sentimental at all. It just starts a waterfall of questions in my head. "Do they even remember me?" “Do they ever think of me now?” “Did they like me?” “Do they consider their time spent around me good/bad/a waste?”

    With a new year just starting to bloom I know this is a terrible weakness to have. Ultimately though, I feel like there’s something devastatingly beautiful about what I’ve been describing in this post. People touch our lives all the time, whether we care to admit it or not. Maybe time spent with people who impact your life in a strong way like this, is not meant to be dissected or questioned.

    I decided to not make any resolutions for 2014 because I didn’t feel comfortable setting expectations for my life because truth is, I honestly don’t know how much control I actually have over what happens to me. However I do know that writing this post has been rather therapeutic for me. While I’m steering away from creating resolutions, I’m going to encourage myself to adopt the notion that it’s wonderful to value people for the mark they’ve left on your life, but the story must go on. While it may be painful and hard to understand, not everyone can stick around to be a primary part of your life because they have their stories too; and when you care about people and allow them to occupy a place in your heart, you can no longer be selfish…you have to let them go and grow in their own experiences . And that’s OK.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tell Me About the Good

Last weekend, I said goodbye to another really enjoyable theatre experience. I was a part of the cast for the show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change . It's a musical that explores the trials and triumphs a myriad of characters face when it comes to dating and mating. I vaguely knew of this show before auditioning, but for the most part, it was all new to me. There was rich humor evident in both song and dialogue, which excited me since I'm not someone who takes herself very seriously, especially when it comes to the complex world of dating 😬. It was a gift to tackle material that had me laughing often, and delighting in all the ridiculousness the theatrical creative process can offer. Oddly, even with all that comedy present, I did find myself latching onto the moving moments of the writing. Working on this show encouraged me to reminisce on matters of both the mind and heart . In this post, I lay out some discoveries, as well as input from others who I ask...

Relearning Me

    I remember being an extremely impassioned kid. When I loved something, the people around me knew it. I went through a High School Musical phase wherein my bright pink bedspread showcased the title in all caps. Can't forget my  Camp Rock phase either. The soundtrack played on repeat in my room and I performed along with it, singing into my plastic microphone (that I definitely still own). I was infatuated with America's Next Top Model , which led me to writing my own Covergirl commercials and asking for my first pair of heels so I could walk down the living room in them as if I were on a runway. As a child, I was not afraid to get lost in my own fantastical world. I aspired to be a pop star, a real estate agent, a schoolteacher, and maybe even a stay-at-home mom. My dream jobs were endless really, because I was fascinated by all the possibilities. I am no longer fascinated by all the possibilities.       Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge ...

25 Pieces of Advice from Freshmen Who Know What They're Talking About

    My freshman year of college has gone by all too quickly, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. So instead, I asked other people how they felt! I went around to different acquaintances/friends, both from high school and at WIU, and asked them, "What's the one big lesson you'll take away from your first year of college?" I was fond of the various answers I received: Don't screw up your dorm room walls. Be open to the weirdness of new people. Don't pre-game too much before the party. Take time to chill between classes.  You don't have to be perfect yet. You're here to learn. Patience, my friend. Try not to rip your hair out. Patience...and caffeine. Don't be a whore, and specifically don't bring peanut butter your first week of school. Change is OK; that's what life is about. Open yourself up to different kinds of people. A university is the best place to find people who are like you and who you can have a great time with...