Sleb's Self-Help Column: A Guide to Proactive Life Solutions - The one that got away

This article contains opinion. This weekend, I reminisced on some memories from my senior year of high school. These flashbacks brought a bittersweet feeling into my system. I wasn’t sure if it was the cliché Polaroid image or the memories that dawned from what was on the picture, but whatever it was, it tugged at some heartstrings. The picture in question contained myself on the right and my ex-girlfriend wearing my hoodie on the left. And while I may have had past relationships in my lifetime, she was my first ever true love. We were so full of youth and vibrancy, and I only had one still image to remember it by. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Jake, you’re well into your college career. Why are you still thinking about her? And why do you have the picture?” Well, here’s the full story. I honestly forgot about the image since it was buried in my wallet for some time, and while searching for a gift card Friday, it happened to fall onto the pavement. The initial reaction was one of passive emotion, but I placed it, as well as my wallet, back into my pocket, hoping it would quickly leave my thoughts. Then on Saturday at the IUP football game, it fell out again while I was getting money out for the concession stand. This is what really set off the emotional rollercoaster. I quickly remembered everything. The setting of where that picture was taken. Why it was taken. How happy and satisfied we were with life. I remembered that this was practically the only person (at the time) that I saw a future with. She was my everything, and I was hers. Honestly, I wanted to curl in a ball, close off the world and cry knowing I gave up one of the best things that has ever came into my life. It was one of those moments where I would go back to those times and live them all again if fate granted me the opportunity. However, I realized that this could be a learning opportunity. Wallowing in lost memories wasn’t going to change anything, but instead I realized that reflecting on the reason we cut ties would benefit me more mentally and emotionally. It would not only bring to light what I did wrong, but it would also show me what I’ve done to improve myself as a person and how I am today. And that’s why I encourage you to think about something that you’ve lost in your life, whether it’s a lost love, forgotten friendship, etc. and map out how it’s improved your life today. It may seem arbitrary, but you’ll quickly see just how much good has come from that. Additionally, if you’re like me and have a memento from that lost factor, don’t throw it out. Rather, hold on to it, as it may have unlocked reasons as to why it’s made you a better person. The old saying may be “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but I like to think they hold a thousand lessons. Oh, and if you’re wondering, I never got my hoodie back, and I still have the picture.

https://www.thepenn.org/news/sleb-s-self-help-column-a-guide-to-proactive-life/article_26281dd0-f9ed-11e9-9710-23e4ad5684d7.html