For those of you who’ve been keeping up with me on social media (you Rockstars, you!), you already know that I spent last weekend at my school reunion. Picture this: me gallivanting around New York City, popping into Sabyasachi’s flagship store (Indian couture heaven), hitting up the rooftop nightclub PHD in Downtown, and, of course, indulging in late-night chats with my childhood besties, the ones I’ve known since kindergarten! It was a whirlwind of sightseeing, reminiscing, and non-stop girlie catch-up time at our Loreto Reunion called Sunny Days of Youth!
Now, let’s clear something up right off the bat—going to a reunion is not the same as strapping into a time machine and trying to live in the past. Nope, reunions and living in the past are two very different beasts. And trust me, only one of them is fun, empowering, and good for the soul.
Spoiler: it's not the one where you try to relive 1988!
A Reunion: A Nostalgic Stroll, Not a Permanent Pitstop
A reunion is like taking a breezy walk down memory lane—maybe even skipping along to that one Carpenter song you loved " I am on top of the world, looking down on creation..."—but living in the past? That's like pitching a tent on that lane, sitting around a fire, and refusing to budge while the world zips by. It’s tempting, sure, but it’s also a little... well, sad. You don’t want to be that person who shows up to a high school reunion still rocking the same scrunchie from senior year (though, let’s be honest, scrunchies are back!).
The point is, that staying stuck in the past isn’t exactly the recipe for growth or progress.
The Trap of Living in the Past: It’s Cozy... Until It’s Not
Now, let’s talk about the trap that living in the past can become. It starts innocently enough: replaying that one time you had the perfect hair day or remembering when you nailed that big work presentation. But before you know it, the “What if I had done things differently?” loop starts playing on repeat like that one song you can’t escape at the grocery store.
Living in the past is like refusing to upgrade your old flip phone because, “Hey, it still makes calls!” Sure, it works, but you’re missing out on all the cool new features in life, like a solid Wi-Fi connection to reality.
Living in the past is a bit like squeezing into a pair of shoes that used to fit just right but now pinch your toes. You can still wear them, but why would you when there are so many more comfortable, stylish options? And let’s face it, no matter how many times you rewind the mental VHS of your high school glory days (yes, I said VHS, deal with it), you’re not going to change anything. Sure, it's fun to revisit old memories, but would you really want to be stuck there forever?
Reunions: A Splash of Nostalgia, Not a Dive Into the Past
Reunions, though? They’re a refreshing dip in the nostalgia pool. You get to pop in, splash around with a few old memories, and then—boom!—back to the present, wiser, more self-aware, and hopefully with some great new stories to tell.
Reunions aren’t about reliving your high school years or wishing for a do-over. They're about celebrating how far you've come since then.
You’re like a fine wine, baby—you’ve aged well, and reunions give you a chance to toast to that.
In my case, it wasn’t just about catching up with old friends. It was also about
reconnecting with the culture and flavors of my past. I haven’t been back to India in 14 years, so when I was handed a box of chocolates from Flury’s, a famous confectionery in Calcutta, I got hit with a wave of nostalgia. These weren’t just sweets—they were memories wrapped in foil. I could almost hear my dad’s voice, see him handing me a box every Christmas, each wrapper a tiny piece of joy. (Green stripes? Mint. Blue dots? My favorite!) It was a beautiful, emotional reminder of where I came from, but here’s the key: I didn’t get stuck in that moment. I appreciated it, and then moved forward.
Why Living in the Past Isn’t Empowering
Here’s the thing about living in the past: it’s like hitting pause on your life. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stay paused while everything else keeps playing. When you live in the past, you start seeing life through a filter. Everything new gets compared to something old, and nothing ever seems to measure up. It’s like going to a five-star buffet and only eating the breadsticks because “they were great last time.” But, hello, there’s an entire feast waiting for you! Sticking to what’s familiar means you miss out on what could be amazing, and that’s no way to live.
The past can’t change, no matter how many times you replay it. It's done.
And if you're tired of living in the past, and you're determined to move forward, and face the future with strength and resilience, but don't know how to start. I'd love to help. Get a free consultation with me here.
It’s like scrolling through your social media feed from 10 years ago, sure, it’s entertaining for a minute, but you’re not going to gain anything by staying there. Progress happens in the present, not in the highlight reel of yesteryears.
Reunions: Celebrating Your Growth, Not Your Awkward Phases
The beauty of reunions is that they aren’t about clinging to the past—they’re about celebrating your journey. You’re not there to rehash every awkward moment (although, let’s be real, those old memories, like old photos are sometimes worth a cringe or two).
You’re there to see how much you’ve grown. You get to catch up with friends who knew you when you were figuring life out and share a few laughs about your old self, but now you’ve got wisdom, experience, and (hopefully) better hair.
It’s like looking at an old picture of yourself and realizing, “Wow, I thought I had it all figured out back then!” None of us did. But now? Now, you’ve got stories. You’ve lived, learned, and evolved. A reunion is the universe giving you a high five and saying, “Look at you now!”
And let’s not forget, the best part of a reunion is reconnecting with those people who’ve seen you at various stages of life. They remind you of where you started and they also celebrate who you are today. That’s the magic. You get to reconnect, laugh about the past, and head back into your life with a little extra pep in your step.
Reunions: Forward-Thinking Fun
If living in the past is like pressing pause, reunions are like hitting fast-forward for a moment to see how far you’ve come. They’re not about clinging to what was—they’re about celebrating what is and what’s still to come. So, next time you get that reunion invite, don’t brush it off.
Go! Take a moment to reconnect, laugh, and appreciate the journey. It’s not about living in the past—it’s about savoring the present and stepping confidently into the future.
And if you can do all that while cracking jokes with your childhood friends? Even better.
Are you ready for a reunion with your true, authentic self?
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The past are good lessons. And if we want something new, we should stop looking in the rear view mirror.
These are my takaways: Reunions provide a moment to reflect on personal growth.
Don’t dismiss reunion invitations; they can be meaningful.
Laughter and connection are key aspects of reunions.