Remember Your Adolescence

"Gawky." "Loud." "Hopelessly naïve." "Acne-ridden." Psychologists tell us that our self-identity is largely formed during our teens, that special time where we are learning to be independent, exploring the boundaries of our world, and coming to terms with our adulthood. What better way, then, to get a real sense of ourselves than to call up detailed memories of our adolescence?

Sometimes I'll immerse myself in the painful memory of a specific incident: a rejection, a betrayal by a friend, a failure in school. On the other hand, I might just call up a particular face -- maybe a tormentor or a hopeless crush never acted upon. Sometimes the simple memory of the walk home from school, burning with shame, can be enough.

Dwelling on such things is a great way to get in touch with those painful emotions, and to rescue them from the dustbin of your past. They are yours, these memories, and you should treasure them. They are you.