Unresolved issues from the past can weigh you down and prevent you from achieving your true potential. This is especially true when it comes to rifts in relationships with people you have deeply cared about, like a parent, sibling, romantic partner, or close friend.
Ultimately, walking away is easy. But it doesn’t necessarily allow you to move forward. Your mistakes can consume you with guilt, sadness, and shame for years. They can manifest in numerous ways (from anxiety and withdrawal to an inability to form healthy relationships and, sometimes, even physical health issues).
To avoid all these, it is important to seek closure. The only way to achieve that is by making amends to whoever you have wronged.
But what if you no longer know where or how to find them? Here are simple and effective ways to track down someone from your past when you need to seek forgiveness.
Find Them on Nuwber
This people search engine has records belonging to over 300 million Americans, which it has organized into searchable profiles. So, when you need to locate a loved one, you can quickly retrieve up-to-date information on Nuwber using their full name, number, address, or email. (Even old contact details would work since the platform can link records based on a person’s historical data).
But what kind of information can Nuwber pull up? It depends on what’s available in public records, like federal and state databases, business directories, and social media. Usually, you can expect to find a person’s aliases, current phone number and address, social profiles, workplace, and the like.
Ask Around From Mutual Contacts
Are you still in touch with anyone who may know the individual you are looking for? It could be a mutual friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or someone else. There is a chance they could provide a few clues to your loved one’s whereabouts. So, it’s worth asking around.
But a word of caution: Sometimes, they could hesitate to disclose details, especially if the circumstances that drew you and your loved one apart were particularly unpleasant (like, say, a nasty breakup with your ex). Therefore, you may first need to explain when you approach them, and if you are not comfortable with that, it is best to find another way to look for information.
Look Them Up on Social Media
Currently, a staggering number of Americans (73%, to be precise) use networking sites. So, a social media search could be just what you need to locate the person you want to make amends to.
But where should you start? We suggest Facebook. Unlike Instagram, TikTok, and most other platforms, Facebook appeals to a broader range of demographic groups (i.e., people from different ages, geographic locations, ethnic backgrounds, education levels, etc.).
You can also search other social media sites if you think the individual you are hoping to find might be using any of them. For example, LinkedIn is a good place to look for information if someone is running a business.
Search Online With a Search Engine
Your loved one’s digital footprint can extend to various online platforms. These include personal websites, community blogs, review sites, forums, business directories, company sites, and news media.
The easiest way to find them is by using a search engine. You can start your search with Google, the go-to desktop and mobile search tool for many people. Bing, Yahoo!, and others can help when you want to widen the search. To locate matching results on these platforms, use the full name and whatever identifiable details you remember about your loved one. If you have any old photos, you can also try an image search.
Check Student Directories
Is the person you are trying to reach an old high school or college buddy? Then why not look them up in a student directory? For instance, your school will have an alumni database, which might be online or available for in-person access. It could have updated the contact details of past students so the school and the alumni association could get in touch with them.
Another solution is using a platform like Classmates.com. These sites are designed for school and college friends to reconnect with one another. They often host digitized yearbooks, searchable class list directories, and virtual communities to bring together old buddies.
Note that this option to discover information is not limited to school friends. You can find others if you know their school name and graduating year.
Sign Up for a Genealogy Site
Platforms such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, and FamilySearch are in the business of uncovering family ties. This makes them ideal to search for a family member you have lost touch with for years or decades.
Genealogy sites combine various records, from census data to birth information, to make it easier to find people by building family trees. This means, even if you don’t remember much about the loved one you are looking for, you might still locate them with the help of what you know about other relatives.
Some platforms also offer DNA tests where you can register your details to find others with a close DNA match on their databases.
Hire an Investigator
Private investigators have made a career out of discovering information. So, if none of the other methods we have listed here generate useful details, you can choose this option to locate your loved one.
Of course, PIs are expensive and can’t always guarantee results. However, they usually have access to a vast network of resources, which can increase the likelihood of locating a person.
However, before you hire, be clear about your expectations and discuss their charges. Also, ensure you check their references and success rates.
To Conclude
The fact remains, you can’t change the past. But you can make amends and rectify mistakes (at least most of them). So, if you are consumed with guilt and sadness because of old wrongdoings, it is never too late to seek forgiveness and repair damaged relationships.
Of course, seeing your misdeeds for what they are and taking responsibility requires courage, openness, and sincerity. But it is the only path to healing, achieving closure, and moving forward.
At the same time, remember that the person you have wronged might not be ready to accept your apology or forgive you. So, be prepared to give them space and respect their boundaries.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, a co-occurring illness, or a behavioral health disorder, we urge you to seek help. While the task may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that support is readily available and that there are people out there who want to help.
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