Random Thoughts: "Say What You Need to Say"

I've recently encountered a few situations that have reminded me of the importance in living life to the fullest and not being afraid to tell people how much they mean to you. While you should not go around constantly thinking about what your last interaction with those around you will be, taking a moment here and there to let someone know how special they are may have a larger impact than you think. About a week before returning to GW for my junior year, I learned that my therapist (a person who had pretty much been my rock through the first two years of college) had suddenly become very ill. I didn't have a chance to see her before she passed away, which was particularly striking because I felt that my last session with her did not leave a great impression of me. I thought about this for months and kept wondering what I would have said if I had known it was my last time seeing her. And I guess I still don't have an answer, but the point is that I wished (and still do) that I could have just one more moment in her presence. I haven't really opened up about this experience and how much it affected me, but the events that have recently taken place brought some of the emotions back. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day routine, that taking a moment to pause and appreciate something that happened sounds ridiculous. And I'm not trying to preach to the choir here... I don't practice this every day nor do I believe that it is absolutely necessary. That said, it can't hurt to try. Take one moment every once in a while to stop and think about one thing that made you smile that day or even that week (we all have bad days and that is okay!). If I've realized anything in my 21 years on this Earth, it is that time truly does flash before your eyes. I spend all week waiting for Friday and then all of a sudden it's Monday again and I'm back to that weird, almost-empty feeling. Don't get me wrong, seeing a new therapist (I finally gave in and thankfully found a WONDERFUL person) and taking other health measures both play a huge role in the progress that I've made in my mental health over the past 6 months. However, I'd also like to think that I have a little more clarity when I'm not feeling anxious 99% of the time. Life goes too fast, which further goes to show that taking time to appreciate each day (including the bad ones, even if it's after the fact) for what it is will make it more fulfilling. So if you take one thing away from this post, remember to "say what you need to say." I know this quote comes from a (very good) John Mayer song, but it really does sum up how to show gratitude towards others... and yourself for fighting through the tough days and choosing to try again tomorrow.

^Some people that make me feel particularly grateful to be alive :)

-Sarah Druckman

Sarah is a senior at George Washington University studying Exercise Science with minors in Dance and Psychology. When she's not studying, you can find me teaching fitness classes, working as a Physical Therapy Tech, or milling about the GW campus (pre-COVID19 of course).