I've burnt a lot of bridges in my lifetime, mostly because of how I screwed up. I can't stand it when I screw up and change people's impression of myself for the worst, and the way I deal with this: burn the bridges. Have nothing to do with them any longer. Start afresh. It's a bad habit, I know.

For instance, I had a teacher that used to teach me in high school, someone who was very well respected by my seniors but somehow I couldn't see why. She was kind enough to offer us food every now and then when we went to her place, until one day I stupidly went to help myself to some of the food (yes I've done bad things don't judge). She then complained to my school teacher who of course scolded me upside down.

At the end of high school, I never contacted that teacher again. (The one I took food from)

We can burn as many bridges as we want, but the reality is that there is no way we can make a clean cut, especially when we've been involved with the person/people for so long. We forge connections with them and the people surrounding them, so much so that there is no way we can escape it. Besides, there are good memories together with the bad ones, and which would anyone prefer to remember?

I met that teacher again last year while helping out during a concert in school. I was a bit afraid that even after so many years she would look at me with disdain or something, but when I took the courage to go up and say hi she was actually very friendly and happy to see me, saying things like "oh wow it's been so long since I've seen you" and "finally gotcha!"

I am telling myself not to burn any more bridges, especially when so many memories, good and bad, are associated with those connections. And if something were to happen and I had to terminate a relationship, then I would do so with a proper closure instead of just disappearing.

So those were my thoughts for today. Just a disclaimer: some of the things I've posted are things I have never told anyone before because I know it will hurt my reputation. So to whoever is reading this, I hope you'll understand that I make mistakes, both big and small, like everyone else. Those mistakes have shaped me into what I am today, and I have learnt to be the best version of myself through them. Please do not let any of my past experiences affect the way you look at me today.