A couple weeks ago I couldn’t fall asleep, and instead of watching “Black Mirror” or throwback SNL skits on YouTube to pass the time per usual, I chose an alternate, non-technology related route.

As I searched my bookshelves hoping to come across my favorite “Guinness World Records” book from 2007, I eventually uncovered my yearbooks from middle school and junior high.

At first, I was scared to open them, because I knew for sure that my picture in one of them had me looking like a lobster, but then I just started flipping the pages, laughing at how young and stupid some of my friends looked in their photos, and questioning how happy some people were to be in gym class.

When I thought I had just finished skimming the first yearbook, I came across the once blank pages that were now covered with signatures. I read through them, and then I picked up all my other yearbooks and read through the signatures in those, too. In this process, I started to question where some of these people went because according to these signatures, we used to be tight.

Not only have I forgotten about those seventh grade social dances (that I later found out were not mandatory) or pizza Tuesdays at WJHS, but I also can’t recall the people that I spent those times with. Relationships with people I’ve known not just before high school, but also during, have disappeared to the point where I don’t even acknowledge them in the hallways.

I don’t do these things consciously for the most part rather, I do them because I am extremely forgetful, and when I finally recall a relationship that I had, it often seems to be too late.
And that’s kind of the story of my life—too often I fail to walk the talk because when it’s actually time to act in the way I’ve told myself that I should, I forget to.

A lot of times I say stuff that seems like really good advice for other people, possibly in this paper or in other settings, but when it comes to myself, I fail to do what I’ve said I should.

I hope I’m not the only one who thinks that a lot of their resolutions are never fulfilled.
In a few months, the senior class will sign yearbooks for possibly the last time in our lives, and hopefully we will see some of these people and remember what we had before it all ends.

If just thinking about how approaching these people would be so much more appropriate in this setting, and how in that moment at the end of the year, it would feel like there was nothing to lose, then challenge yourself to do something before then.

Remembering these relationships will hopefully enhance the memories you have of high school, and if you choose to approach these people today, just know that there still won’t be too much to lose.

Considering how forgetful I am, and how much I overthink actions, it’s doubtful that I will actually ever be able to rekindle all, if any of these relationships myself—but if you can do it then you should.

Look around today and acknowledge who you like spending time with and who is important to you in this moment—maybe even write it down if you want. And when you are no longer being put in situations with this person, then make an attempt to keep a relationship.

I understand that the proposition of rekindling relationships at this point is scary, and that’s why the best thing to tell ourselves today is “don’t forget to remember from here on out.” Don’t forget to remember people, and don’t forget to remember what you have told yourself you should do when it is actually time to do it.