There’s a saying that most of our “lasts” were ones we never knew were our lasts. The last time to get picked up by a parent, last time going to a friend’s house before college, last time using a specific water fountain at school. It’s no surprise that we experience “lasts” all of the time. But if we experience “lasts” so often… why can they be so intimidating — or even sad — when we expect them?
As a senior at Skyline, I’m coming to terms with many “lasts” of my own, like my last cross country meet and my last orchestra concert. Some “lasts” I’ve already experienced: My last homecoming and last first day of school. With time seeming to fly by, it’s hard not to get emotional about this section of my life coming to an end.
Along with my “lasts”, I’m also afraid of what comes next. Where will I go to college? Where will I work? What will I do? I feel like graduation won’t just mark the closing of highschool, but also the moving on to something new and difficult. Change can be scary, even though we experience it all of the time.
It’s obvious that we tend to blow things out of proportion, especially when fear is involved. And I’m sure that, when I look back at this time of my life, I won’t remember the fear of change. In fact, I probably won’t even remember the “lasts” I’m currently dreading. But that mental reassurance doesn’t help me much. I still get nervous and sad when I think about it — similar to a presumptuous sense of nostalgia — missing something before it’s gone.
Even though we unknowingly experience “lasts” all of the time, we would probably feel sad if we recognized them. I think it’s normal to mourn time before change happens, as long as we don’t get carried away. We can’t run from the progression of time.
I don’t study psychology — I’ve never even taken the class. I don’t know what causes nostalgia, but I think it’s normal and important to feel. Now, I’m definitely NOT telling you how to feel. Everyone has different experiences and perspectives, so I would never say this is the only way to tackle nostalgia, it’s just what best helps me. Maybe someone IS satisfied with reminding themselves that these “lasts” will be insignificant in many years. Maybe someone needs an even more helpful tactic than letting themselves feel grief and let it go.
Remember that life is going to keep moving, so whatever works for you, find a way to manage presummatory sadness, and don’t miss your life while you’re living it.
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