As we age, we begin to reflect on past versions of ourselves. People don’t realize how much they have changed until they take a moment to look back at their past. Who you were five years ago is probably a completely different person than who you are right now. Accepting that you are no longer who you used to be is difficult to grasp. People tend to cling to the past and mourn the old versions of themselves.
But as Carrie Bradshaw once said, “Maybe you have to let go of who you were to become who you will be.”
“End of Beginning” by Thirty Seconds to Mars is a song that explores themes of reflection, change, and new beginnings. The phrase “end of beginning” suggests that the end of one chapter is the beginning of a new one.
College can be a difficult transition point for many students. You have some of the responsibilities of an adult, but you are still a kid at heart. Students start discovering new versions of themselves while slowly letting go of who they used to be. VALLEY is here to tell you that it is okay to mourn your old self. Until now, your childhood is all you knew; when you came to college, this became your new reality. You will never be that high school version of yourself again, which is okay. Appreciate that version of yourself—don’t forget it, but be willing to let it go.
People often advise looking toward the future rather than dwelling on the past. But you will inevitably feel nostalgic for certain parts of your past at some point. That is what makes nostalgia such a bitter-sweet emotion—it brings both sadness and joy. You might feel like you lost part of yourself, but it’s also incredible to have had experiences that were so meaningful. Instead of seeing your past self as something you miss, look back with appreciation.
There will be many different versions of you throughout life, including who you were during childhood, high school, college, career, or marriage. Each phase will bring out a new version of you; in the end, all of these versions make up your life. It’s so great that we, as humans, can hold onto so many memories. Even though everyone must move forward in life, we are fortunate to be able to hold onto photographs and memories and have stories to share.
Another lyric from the song is, “You take the man out of the city, not the city out of the man,” which captures the essence of this article. No matter where you go or who you become, the person you used to be will always be a part of you. Change can be scary and overwhelming, sometimes making it feel like your whole world is falling apart. But when one chapter closes, and another opens, it brings new opportunities.
And while the end may just be the next beginning, VALLEY wants to remind you, “Just trust me, you”ll be fine.”
What are your thoughts on nostalgia? Tweet your opinions @VALLEYMag!
