Learning to Let Go of the Past

posted 4th February 2010    Written by: Katie    CATEGORY: All Posts, Katie, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 2, What I've Learned

INTRODUCING KATIE

I had a moment that changed the way I think about everything

I was blindsided by the Quarterlife Crisis, but in retrospect, I can pinpoint moments as far back as high school when I could have realized it was coming.

When I was 17, when everyone else was studying and prepping for college, I was working full time hours and had a much older boyfriend. I met him at work, he gave me the attention that I always wanted, and he had me at “you’re adorable. I love being around you.”

From there, it was a tumultuous 5 years filled with some ups, mostly downs, cheating, and financial ruins.

After I finally let that relationship go, but not enough to say I was ‘over it’, I dated a man closer to my age, without any experience. Anywhere. (Catch my drift?) He was into Psychology, and loved to analyze every hair on my head. I was interested in psychology and I liked to analyze him right back.  He was a student, he had a car, he had a job, he had a future planned that at times would include me.

I loved him, but had a difficult time showing it. Eventually we got tired of fighting, and we broke up. After a brief rekindle, we broke up again for good.

This breakup rocked my world, and not in a Michael Jackson kind of way. It was more of a “put my tender heart in a blender” kind of way.

2 months later,  last December, I got hit with a layoff.  The job that I was content with, at best, decided that they weren’t content with me, and let me go. The economy was horrible, I had no education, I was getting over a breakup, I was alone.

Everything had fallen apart, and I had no relationship, job, or education to lean on.

Super freakin’ Duper.

I lived the next 6 months in a depressed spending-haze. Unemployment checks would come in, and I’d head right out and buy things that I surely can’t remember or show you now. It felt good in the moment, but as with all unhealthy things, it ends up being something you lean on for support, but it doesn’t really do you any good.

As I spent those days, months, weeks, and years in emotional confusion and turmoil, I really didn’t grasp how much time was passing. Living for the moment worked for me, but I think I relied on that too much, for I didn’t make anything of those moments.

I gave up on opportunities. I started projects and never finished them. I accepted my depression and figured I’d just live with it forever.

I had a moment about a month ago that changed the way I think about everything. I was driving past my old high school, and each time I do, I do a little math in my head and think of how long it’s been since I “graduated”.  I realized it’s been 7 years.

7 years of feeling sorry for myself. 7 years of making excuses of why I would never make it. 7 years of unwillingly sabotaging myself of having a life that I deserved. In that moment I realized that it was time to not only live in the present, but to make the best of every moment.

So, here I am. I’ve made the realization, and am now trying to figure out what I want. I’m learning to be a little bit more selfish and a bit less selfless at times. I’m learning how to find my inner-most desires and making them happen. I’m learning to let go of the past, in order to make a happier future.

I’m learning to be me.

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5 Responses to “Learning to Let Go of the Past”

  • Rachael Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 10:18 am

    I can already see how much you’ve grown since I’ve met you. I can’t compare it to the dark days…but you are most definitely on the the right path. I can’t wait to follow your journey <3

  • Sally Parrott Ashbrook Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Go Katie! What an open and forthright post. I look forward to watching you grow. :D

  • M colihan Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Wow! Very well written. Unfortunately, it really sucks that we have to go through such heart wretching, self destructive, things to make us realize that YES I am someone, What I feel matters! What I want is worth the risk it will take to get me to the end result…a place in life where I want to be, where I am happy, where I am me, and I can make a difference. No one can or will break me!

  • Eran - The Quarterlife Quest Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    I’m rooting for you Katie! Someone told me recently “If you want to change something, it can only be something in the future, so forget about living in guilt for things of the past”. Have fun charting your course :)

  • Brittney Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    “7 years of feeling sorry for myself. 7 years of making excuses of why I would never make it. 7 years of unwillingly sabotaging myself of having a life that I deserved. In that moment I realized that it was time to not only live in the present, but to make the best of every moment.”

    Uh oh, sounds like somebody lives in MY brain, lol. It took me quite awhile to realize, and still am in the process of learning, that the only thing that really prevents me from going from Point A to Point B is ME.

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