When People Forget You

This topic might be more of a cautionary tale. It is a short one. Use it as motivation. The fear of being forgotten can be a powerful reminder to stay connected.

Now flip this around. YOU are the person who is forgotten by a person important to you. Look away from this article and think about this for a moment.

Someone you used to talk with about family, basketball, and vacations. You see their name in your notes somewhere and realize it has been a very long time since you’ve talked.

You decide to contact them. It has been so long that it takes them a moment to remember who you are, and the discussion feels very formal and business-like. You wonder if they really remember you, or if they are just being polite.

So how do you reconnect with this person?

There is a problem here because it is very difficult to deliberately develop a relationship with someone. It takes both of you.

When we are fortunate to connect with another person, it is impossible to retrace the steps we took the first time. Do you talk about how close you used to be? Would you enjoy explaining how you could disappear for so long? Why are you back?

None of this is fun. You don’t want this.

The best way not to be forgotten is not to forget anyone yourself.