One Mess Of A Day Changed Me Forever
Start writing a post

One Mess Of A Day Changed Me Forever

We'll just say, yikes a gal can learn a lot in a year.

1243
One Mess Of A Day Changed Me Forever
Lindsey Ocock

We all have things that happen to us that truly change us — hopefully for the better. I've been in college for over a year now and I'm moving closer and closer to the two-year mark. Yikes! But, I like the say that being in college has changed me for the better.

Some sh*t has happened — I've made some bad decisions and I've made mistakes. Some mistakes more than once… but, all in all, I really have changed. Obviously, I don’t mean I’ve changed my core values, but I’ve learned great lessons.

Something happened to me about a year ago that changed the way I look at myself. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own and it took me a little while to truly accept that.

No, I’m not about to blast my news and give you all the details, but we will just refer to this day as "the incident."

So, when I explain what happened on "the incident" day, people don’t always think it's that big of a deal or they think it’s a huge deal and they just don’t want to hurt my feelings or whatever. It was a big deal and I'm still lowkey embarrassed. I was more scared to tell my parents how much trouble I was in than anything. And, yes, they know.

All the details of this day in February do not really matter, but the way a single day can impact your life is wild.

This was a wake-up call for me — this day made me realize how much I needed to grow up and realize how my actions always affect someone else, whether it’s indirectly or directly. I’m not saying this was the day I made it or anything like that, but I’m thankful for the journey that took place this past year.

Sometimes I joke about this day to my friends, but it's still such a strange and embarrassing time to me.

I went through a rough and weird time adjusting to college freedom before that day and I’m really not sure when it all started, but it was a downward spiral and I’m thankful I got out of that cycle. At that time, I was constantly looking for something or someone to make me happy. Nothing was ever enough. I thought that if I could just do this or that I would be OK.

I thought that other people and things were the only sources of happiness.

But, I know better now. This year, I learned that if you’re not truly happy with yourself deep down nothing else can make you happy.

I wasn’t even unhappy in the way that my friends or even I could notice. I had been living like that for so long that I didn’t even remember ever being happy with just living in the moment.

It all sounds weird, but I didn't realize how unhappy I was with myself until I stopped trying so hard always to be happy.

Like I said before, the events of that day aren’t as important as what I learned in the weeks and months following.

I’m sure you want to know what happened now. OOPS.

What’s important is that I need to take responsibility for my actions and control my own happiness. I can’t put all of my self-worth into people, activities and things — I need to be thankful for what I have without letting it define who I am.

I'll never be content looking for happiness in people or things if I'm not happy with myself.

Thank you, February 11th, 2017, because you taught me to take responsibility for my choices, learn from them and not let the bad days destroy me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59197
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38268
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959721
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

197047
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments