I assure you I am no "love guru" and I really don't have any answers or explanations. I'm just a kid who cares about people. And as I continue to grow up, I'm starting to wonder how it is possible for some people to turn off their feelings like it's as a simple as deleting a contact in your phone.

I can say pretty confidently that not only is there no "off" button for your feelings for another person, there is also not an "on" button. I mean think about it, did the person you fell in love with or the person who became your best friend someone you expected or something you planned? Probably not. Maybe they were someone you've known for a while but never gave a second glance because you were polar opposites and never would have guessed in a million years that you would end up caring about them as much as you once did. Or maybe they were a complete stranger one day and your best friend the next, relationships come out of nowhere sometimes. Friendships, romantic partners, relationships of any kind, they all work the same way. And just as you didn't predict that this person would walk into your life and change it for better or for worse, they did. And believe it or not, they will forever be a part of your life because you will always have memories from that connection and the bond you shared.

Now, life is not always a perfect romantic comedy and that's okay. Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, acquaintances, enemies, they will all walk in and out of your life for the rest of your life. It's just what happens. But I really do think that you can not turn "off" your compassion for anyone you loved as easy as a turning off a light switch. Of course, it happens on all levels, maybe your boyfriend or best friend betrayed you and hurt you in a way that no one else will ever begin to understand, and you are so angry and hurt that you think you can turn off those feelings cold turkey. If that's the case, you should be commended for your remarkable strength and courage. But I can almost guarantee that one day, something will remind you of a positive memory you had with that person and even if just for one second, you will wonder how they're doing. Because at one point in your life, they meant everything to you. And it's not easy to forget how much of yourself you gave them by giving them a friendship.

Or maybe, it wasn't as much of a tragic ending and you two were just going different places with your lives and they no longer intertwined together. This scenario may have made it even harder for you to find that "off" switch. You may still wonder what would have happened if you had stayed in touch if your friendship would have grown or faltered. You probably still worry and care about them and want them to be healthy and happy with whatever it is they're doing now. And there is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes society tries to tell us that we are supposed to erase people. "Leave the past in the past." Yes, this is important because dwelling is unhealthy, but we aren't robots and we shouldn't have to be.

If you find yourself wondering how your old friend from high school is doing or where they are now, it's okay. You are not pathetic and you are not stupid. And it doesn't even mean that you are still in love with your ex or longing for that lost friendship. It just means that you truly cared for them and that's something to take pride in. Relationships like that don't come easy these days and you should cherish the memories you have instead of trying to bury and destroy them.

You can call me naive if you have to, but I truly believe that every person that comes into your life will change your life. You will learn from them - you will be inspired and you will be broken - but either way you're still learning valuable lessons that you will carry with you forever. You can not erase the past, you can not delete the memories, and you can definitely not turn off your emotions and feelings for a person who used to be a big part of your life.

I hope if you wish that it was that easy, I hope you try anyways and you prove me wrong. Maybe I just get too attached or I'm too emotional, but ever since I've accepted the fact that you can't turn these raw feelings off, I've been content and I hope one day you are too.