Sometimes things really really bother me. Like really really really bothers me. Like stomach churning, heart dropping kind of uncomfortable. Recently it’s come to my attention that I feel particularly this way when I think of something in the past I desperately want to change or that I longingly want to revisit. But with time travel so far beyond our current technological potential, the possibility of accomplishing either is less likely to happen than the success of printable pizza.
I know this is common sense. We’ve all been told this so many times it’s practically embedded within us. But not dwelling is one of those things that are must easier said than done. Application takes years to perfect and even constant repetition isn’t enough to truly ensure success. Who really doesn’t dwell, ever? Who really doesn’t have something they regret? Who really doesn’t have something they’d love to change? I’m sure even the best of us, the most positive, the most content, have something. What then is the key to moving on? I’m still trying to work it out. One method could be to just face what it is they truly don’t want to face. That it’s impossible to undo something that’s been done, to relive a part of our lives that has passed. I know it’s cliche but we should be thinking about how to prevent this gut grinding feeling to resurface by being attentive to our current predicaments. While we’re busy regretting and giving into a fight we’re inevitably losing (and will continue to lose) we’re only creating more chances for the future us to look back on and regret. When will the vicious cycle end? Even when we’re truly content we won’t be. We may have something good now but we’ll think about how much better it could be had that one thing that happened in the past not happened. Or that one thing that didn’t happenhappen. So then how do we find happiness? By not dwelling - something much easier said than done. I’m sure you’ve had your attempts at letting go of the past but I think the biggest thing is to focus on the present and in doing so, you’re protecting your future self.
I know I can say “don’t dwell” but really, I can’t offer any positive sentiment about how to fix it like most of these types of articles are supposed to. The most I can do is tell you why you and I should both learn the art of moving on. Think about it this way; by dwelling on the past, you’re jeopardizing your performance in the present. This will affect your future, and future you may just wish they could go back to this very moment and not dwell. If only I hadn’t dwelled back then I could have made a change for the better.
This is as much advice as I can give anyone because it’s the only thing I’ve really found helping me during times I become fixated in a time long past. So good luck to us who have lost our way and are en route to correction.
