I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the friends I had in high school. My two years of A-Level were some of the best years of my life; I loved my classes, and I also loved the time I spent outside of the classrooms, socialising with everyone. And I’d honestly do anything to go back to that time and experience it again, even if it’s just for a short while. The memories are there and that’s great, but sometimes you want the real thing, and memories aren’t enough.
I’m still very close with some of them, and the others, not so much. You leave high school and there’s so much other stuff to focus on. Suddenly, you’re not keeping in touch with friends as much. The days become weeks, weeks become months, months become years, and before you know it, you’ve drifted apart and feel like strangers. People are constantly growing, evolving and going through changes. You then realise that high school you and current you have a lot of differences, and not all the friendships you had years ago complement the person you are now. It can be difficult to accept, especially whenever nostalgia hits. Accepting that some people are temporary when they’re part of some of your fondest memories seems like such a Herculean task.
So, if you’re dealing with some similar, hang in there. Don’t feel guilty or inadequate, or let all the sadness consume you. Focus on the friends you have now and all the value and beauty they add to your life. And for the friends that’ve left, be thankful for all the memories, and try to keep looking forward. You’re still going to meet a lot of amazing people and create a lot more amazing memories.
A Brighter Picture 