Guilt Over Shoving Someone Over 20 Years Ago.

During an in class math competition some twenty odd years ago, I shoved an opposing player for trying to psych me out and goofing around acting like they were trying to “hypnotize me” into letting my mind “go blank.” Thinking back on this, I’m rather ashamed and embarrassed by my actions. I would have been in my mid teens at the time, and therefore should have either ignored the person or had more of a mature response to their goofing around. This person has long since been out of my life as I haven’t seen them again in person since the end of that school year. I’m not sure if I should bother trying to apologize as I have no idea if they would even remember the incident or even remember me in general.

I should point out that my shoving them only caused them to move back slightly, although it got my point across they were not injured as they did not fall nor did they knock into anything. I wasn’t trying to hurt them, just trying to get them out of my face. I don’t recall the teacher saying or doing anything in response to either the person’s goofing around or my physical response but bear in mind this was long ago. I do vaguely remember this teacher having an odd favoritism toward troubled students and I didn’t fall into that category at all. She was said to provide students who were serving in-school suspensions and detentions that she was covering with food, candy and games. I never really felt this was appropriate and found it odd due to the fact that she never really rewarded students for performing well.

Hello, I moved your post to Remorse section leaving what is called a shadow, so it can be accessed both from Anger Management and Remorse sections and hopefully get you more good suggestions.

You were a kid who impulsively snapped in response to being baited. Not something to be proud of, but definitely not something to have lasting shame over. I almost guarantee that the other guy has completely forgotten this even happened!