High school graduation. Entering the final year at college. Getting your first paycheck. Breaking up with your fifth girlfriend. For some events in life, we can anticipate that our lives are never going to be the same again. Some are social milestones; goal posts painted for us when we were mere children.

What about the other stuff that don’t follow a timeline? Perhaps a realization that a close friend wasn’t who you thought she was, or an epiphany about your own life.

How did you know that things were never going to be the same again? And what did it feel like?

The Stories

I knew things would be different when I said goodbye to my best
friend from high school on the eve before I moved to college. I didn’t
think college would be all that different, and I especially didn’t
think that our friendship would be somehow forever changed. But the
look he gave me after we hugged goodbye and I got ready to head home
to sleep, as though he’d never see me again, made me wonder – will
things ever really be the same again?
He was right, things never were the same again. I would have no idea
how much I changed in college until six months later I saw my friend
again. Things were different and it wasn’t because he had changed – it
was because I was different. I don’t think I’ve stopped changing since
I left home that next day.

It was the moment of emotional clarity when I knew in every bone that I had to be a liberal arts major. There was such a distinct pull and resolve in that moment, quite unlike anything I’ve felt in my life. It almost felt like my life was a blur prior to this point.

After trying three times to get myself into the Industrial Design course and finally got it on the third try. That was the moment i really felt jubilant, literally jumping with joy, and knowing i really get to do what i like ‘academically’  for the first time in my life.

when everyone i know has an iphone…and all i want is a blackberry. screw you steve!

I don’t think you ever realise things are different in fateful “eureka!” moments… although romanticism would have us believe that. I would have wanted to believe in that.

But I think you know only after a series of happenings, a period of confusion and reflection, a long-drawn session of utter happiness and total heartbreak. Then you realise things are different… when you finally see things as they are.

The Experiment

Each week on Friday, I will post a random question on Design, Thunk. Tell us your personal story: what happened? what led to it? how did you feel? what struck you most about the incident? Your story can be as short as 2 paragraphs, or a long page. It’s your call. And, there isn’t an ideal answer. We just want to understand your world.

Email your stories to grace[at]gracecheow[dot]com by Thursday 10 Dec, and I’ll publish them anonymously (or with your initials, if you prefer) on Design, Thunk on Friday.