I was clearing out an old email account recently. There were over 10,000 pieces of mail in there. Yes, it had been a long while since I’d really paid that account any attention. Obviously, I didn’t read every piece of mail as I was clearing things out. I did read a few. Mostly, I checked out where they were from. I realized that email account said a lot about who I used to be. The me I was as a newlywed, pre-baby young lady.
I was involved in EVERYTHING! There are emails from all kinds of shopping sites and invites to all kinds of events. Refinery 29, Fashionista.com, Editor’s Closet and Top Button were all in regular rotation in my emails. Johnnie Walker, LA.com and Gen Art all had events that used to be permanent fixtures on my calendar. I used to actually go to these events – weekday AND weekend events, I was there.
There are open calls for videos, tv shows and modeling gigs… I used to actually find time to go to those too. The emails were set up to be sent directly to my account when I had an agent years ago. I have never unsubscribed. A part of me is still interested in what goes on in that world. Slowly this email address started getting mail from the Knot and things really started to change from there.
At the end of the day, there are no regrets. My old account just reminds me that I used to be a young woman without so many responsibilities. It was a good place to be – back then. The great thing for me is that I love where I am now. Even though my current email address is filled with Zulily, the Bump and Baby Center emails, there are also meet up groups and entreprneurial emails that say a lot about where I am now. I see the growth between the two email accounts and what they represent.
Sometimes it’s good to look back at the old me and who I used to be. I’m more invested in the woman I am now though. I think that’s why my current email address has a few hundred emails instead of over 10,000! It’s OK to reiminisce but there’s no need to live there. The progress lies in moving forward.
What reminders have you had that you’ve moved on?
23 Comments on Who I Used To Be
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This: “It was a good place to be — back then.”
And this: “I see the growth between the two email accounts and what they represent.”
Powerful, powerful statements! I am in the process of “looking back” as well, but only to see the growth and to continue to move forward. You’re right… it IS a good place to be.
Alicia @MommyDelicious recently posted…On Defining Your Worth
I felt the same when I have re-organized my photo library. There were a lot of party-photos:) I haven’t been partying since I’ve graduated at the university, I just can’t picture myself that I danced on a table at a party:)
Anna recently posted…cosmetic dentistry london
I did re-organize my blog site to. So that it will be easy to a visitors. Thanks for sharing these.
Liz recently posted…Hcg diet reviews
I agree with you, it’s great to look back at who you were before all the responsibility. It’s a great reminder that you were (and still are) an individual with many interests; just that some interests has changed.
I feel like that with my facebook account since I’ve always had the same email account. I know I’m not the same person as before, but I’m loving who I am now.
KalleyC recently posted…Distraction Mania
it is funny what my journals tell about my younger self. I am still very similar to how i ued to be, but I don’t think about becoming a model anymore, lol :).
I am waiting for your She Rocks essay, please send it in :).
have a great week
TOI recently posted…Hello From Britain
I know where you are coming from! Never think that you email will say that much about you.
Baby Shopaholic recently posted…No Sleep Till Brooklyn Update
It is certainly nice to look back at times and see how much you’ve grown. Sometimes I can’t believe some of the things I was into but it’s all part of the growing process.
Aracely recently posted…Madison’s visit to the circus
I love the insight you give with this post. We hold our email addresses for so long…it’s expected that we’d see some changes over time!
Amber recently posted…A YeYo’s Letter: It’s Toddler Time!
I hear you our email accounts get filled up with way to much junk. People must really think we have nothing else to do accept read emails.
Betty Daily recently posted…unique hoodia reviews
I agree with you Cam, sometimes it is nice to go back to the old times of our life other times inspires us and others also makes as smile and sad. I love your insights here and I really learn from you. Thanks!
Nicholle Olores recently posted…Timber Doors & Windows
Old pictures of traveling or partying with my friends. So true I’m more invested in the me now:-)
Awesome perspective! I think it would be dangerous for me to look back. I fear I’d have too many unanswered emails or people I forgot to reply to. Same with my current account;) Great post, Cam!
Cari recently posted…Oh My Gosh I’m Giving Birth!
You know I experienced something like this.. I was cleaning my old email account before and it just reminds me of my young days..
Kathrryn recently posted…used cars gloucester
Hi…I am really inspired a lot because of your post here…
Lora G. Maxwell recently posted…Does breast actives really work
You know, this post actually makes me sad for remembering my childhood years.. Anyway, I still like your post here..
Kazzsandra recently posted…How To Deal With Panic Attacks
I found a picture of myself from my freshman year of college. Talk about a flash back!
I totally feel you on this! Sometimes I look back at the journals I’ve kept since I was 7 and it’s so interesting to see how I’ve changed over the years and how traits I’ve had as a child have blossomed into others. I used to be super involved in extra-curriculars too and I think that’s what been the most challenging for me – wanting to do so much. At the beginning of this year I re-evaluated and stepped down from a lot of responsibilities I’ve had and it’s helped immensely. Living in NYC there are SO many fun opportunities to participate in and I get so frustrated when I can’t. I see a lot of moms who like to outsource their childcare so they can continue on with their social schedules but that isn’t much of an option for me. Sometimes I have help but it’s important for me to be home with Nia as much as possible and with my husband too since her early years are so important. Thank you for this post – I really enjoyed it!
Quiana recently posted…THE Best Birth Control . . .
I love this! I was just talking to my husband about how google and facebook are really keeping a history of our lives. We went through our old FB messages to one another (FB came out when we were in college and first started dating) and we laughed at how far we have come since then. Its fascinating to go back and revisit our “old selves” and like you, I am much more invested in the person I am now.
Thanks for sharing Cam!
Kim @ The Family Practice recently posted…We All Have Handicaps + Chicken Sausage Risotto
Photos do it for me! And my old AOL account. WOW. I’ve come so far!!!
Roses Daughter recently posted…As Seen In My Life: Wordless Wednesday
I recently found an old notebook from when I first started Divinitee. It had a list of all of the tasks that I needed to complete. The list seemed so daunting. I was able to go through and scratch them off. Growth is a beautiful thing!
Mimi recently posted…Unprepared with My Goody Bobby Pins and Ouchless Elastics
I reflect a lot in my quiet time of who I am and used to be. Since when have lived in several states I feel like each one represents a chapter of my life. Recently I drove by my college and the memories just poured….definitely a different time. 😉
I am very sentimental about life so many things serve as reminders, songs, smells, photos, old TV shows, etc.etc.
I love love love this post. I just gave up my personal pre-marriage bank account (after 6 years), with my maiden name still on it! I felt like a piece of the old me was still there while it was open. I have grown into my life as a wife, mother and excited about my new venture. It was time to say adios!
I can smell nostalgia here. It’s really good to keep journals and remember how you used to be. I used to have one during my teenage years.