I Used to Know

"Now you're just somebody that I used to know." - Gotye

There are words no truer than these. I'm not just talking about lovers. I'm also talking about everyone that we meet. I think I've said it before, but I'll always say again. I am a firm believer that everyone we meet not only leave an impression on us, but take a piece of us as well. I don't think it's a significant piece of us, but I definitely think it is enough to cause the impression they leave behind. 

I've heard the saying that we are the sum total of all our experiences. I believe this. We are made up of those who impact our lives, even if for a couple days. Thus leaving us in a strange state when they leave us. That person who became a part of our sum total of life has left, and now they are just someone that you used to know. The experiences you had with them turn to memories, and as the miniscule details fade, the more definitive details form us. We take away both good and bad. We inherit something from that person that makes us who we are.

I started thinking about this idea when I heard a song by Gotye. This song has been on repeat for almost two days solid, and being someone who has several people that, "...I used to know" I found myself trying to think about all of them and what they taught me. It was a lot. They taught me such things like strength, dignity and perseverance. Those people that I used to know molded me into who I am as this 23 year old. And I know there are many more that will make me an even better person.

What have the people that you used to know taught you? 

Were they a part of making you the person you are?

And just because I love this version, I included it. 

"You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over"

- Gotye 

Somebody That I Used to Know