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What Is It About High School Reunions That Freaks Us Out?
I turned into a mushy puddle of anxiety and self-doubt. You, too?
I like to think that I’m a confident, accomplished, and kind person. I wasn’t always confident and accomplished but I’m generally happy with who I am. So what is it about a high school reunion that would transform me into the complete opposite: a terribly insecure and anxious poser scared of her own shadow?
It’s been almost 30 years since I graduated from high school so I thought of this recently. Looking back, I freaked out unnecessarily because it was all in my head.
For our first five-year reunion, we hadn’t organized anything formal. We just asked people to show up at a bar. My friends and I arranged to meet up beforehand at one friend’s parents’ home (since many of us had moved out of the area). We consulted each other ahead of time and made sure we were appropriately dressed (e.g., casually stylish in jeans and a cute top, appropriate for a bar but not over-dressed).
We all lamented how awkward it would be and how anxious we were about seeing old high school classmates. I worried my ex would be there. Then I wondered whether other people would be judgmental. Then someone opened up a bottle of vodka.
