Story Weekend: Three Words to Describe You, Then and Now

Sorry for being late with Story Weekend this weekend. A new puppy can really wreak havoc on the schedule!

I was looking at some old family photos recently and at the age of 13, I was a pretty unsmiling, miserable looking kid! Then last night I saw a recent television interview of myself and thought “how can that be the same person?” It started me thinking of the way we change throughout our lives. So for Story Weekend, let’s do this: what are three words that describe you at age 10, three words that describe you at whatever age would be the halfway mark between birth and your current age, and three words that describe you now. I’ll go first:

Age 10: fearful, worried, imaginative

The halfway point: ambitious, career-oriented, imaginative

Now: confident, happy, imaginative.

Hmm, I detect a theme!

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 

19 Comments

  1. Kim on November 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Age 10: bullied, frightened, lonely
    Age 33: on my own (!)
    NOW: counsel, drama-free, quiet

    Age hasn’t settled a lot of the problems and feelings I had as a child. I’ve made progress in my personal struggles, but I have to fight the good fight every day to keep my head up.

  2. Kelly on November 17, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    Age 10: happy, confident, talkative
    Age halfway: happy, confident, talkative
    Oh and now: do you see a trend? It would be. Happy in myself, very confident, talkative – I love being around people and yes…..too talkative.

    at a quilting retreat at Harrison hot springs resort. Heaven

    Kelly

    • Diane Chamberlain on November 18, 2012 at 1:43 pm

      Kelly, the talkative just cracked me up!

  3. Cindy Mathes on November 17, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    At the age of 10, I was shy, , skinny. I was a very skinny and shy. I had low self esteem I think because I was so so shy.
    At the age of 27/28 I was shy, busy, fat. I was working in a factory with 3 young children. I was very self conscience. They were all playing ball and I spent my days and nights going, going, going… I felt like the Energizer Bunny with very low batteries.
    At the age of 55, Out going, wiser, thinner. I have a job I absolutely love. I have the confidence in my self I never had before. I know now that I am not shy, just sometimes I feel intimidated and that is different than shy.

    • Cindy Mathes on November 19, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      Some how I left out the word “scared” when I was 10. It seemed I was afraid of everything…but mainly being accepted…My goodness, my family loved me beyond belief, so I don’t know what I was scared of…But I was… I was always afraid that I wasn’t good enough…pretty enough…smart enough… Glad that fear is gone now.

  4. Amy on November 17, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Age 10: abused, confused, troubled
    Half way: stronger, brighter, overwhelmed
    Now: confident, competent, loving

  5. Kim on November 17, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Age 10: Scared, Nervous, Very Shy (suffering PTSD)
    Half way: Independent, Social, Insecure Inside (still had PTSD when it came to being in a city or run down neighborhood)
    Now: confident, Very Social, Peaceful Inside (worked through PTSD and faced that which scared me)

  6. Christina Wible on November 17, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Age 10: Frightened, unsure, alone
    Halfway: Unhappy, set, waiting
    Now: Questioning, inquiring, testing

  7. Nancy on November 18, 2012 at 3:36 am

    Ten: Shy, dorky and carefree
    Thirties: Industrious, free-spirited and strong
    Now: Compassionate, peaceful and happy

  8. Margo on November 18, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Age 10: Free-Spirit, Happy, Creative
    Halfway: Free-Spirit, Happy, Creative
    Now: Free-Spirit, Happy, Creative
    Quess I haven’t changed…if I could add 1 more to the above it would be determined/strong.

    Would love to know more about your new puppy, Diane!!

    • Diane Chamberlain on November 18, 2012 at 1:44 pm

      I think I’ll post about the new pup tomorrow or Tuesday, Margo. I’ve been so busy keeping him out of trouble, that I haven’t had time!

  9. Sheree Gillcrist on November 18, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Age ten. Rebellious, outspoken and scared.
    Halfway. Hurt, betrayed and Rebellious.
    Now. Loved, searching and much ,much more compassionate to the lives of others.Turn aroud is fair play. Thank you world for making me believe in you again.

  10. Martha O'Quinn on November 18, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Age 10 – pliable, dreamer, listener
    Halfway – wary, resigned, listener
    Now – confident, acceptance, listener

    Yes, there is a pattern, sometimes good, other times not.

  11. Diane Chamberlain on November 18, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I like how so many of you have turned out!

  12. Heather Cathrall on November 18, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Age 10: Stubborn, inquisitive, outgoing
    Halfway: invincible, determined, optimistic
    Now: worried, determined, active

  13. katie on November 18, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Age ten: quiet, an outcast, passive (always bullied, tried to stay under the radar)
    Halfway – age 13: quiet, fearful, creative
    Now, at 26: stubborn, happy, quiet
    I would still mostly rather spend time with books than people, but it can be lonely at times. I’m more selective of who I spend time with, because I am tired of being hurt by others. That’s what makes me stubborn. As a result of that, I’m happier than before!

  14. Steph Walford on November 20, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Age 10 bossy (!), active, happy

    Age 23 confident, skinny, busy

    Age 47 recovering, hopeful, creative

    And yes, something traumatic happened along the way!

  15. Robert wain on November 30, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    very young: In awe, observing most things as magical and scary times too

    late childhood: being creative, magical and unpredictable

    adulthood: knowing, less magical, but still creative and unpredictable, but
    in different ways that many of similar age could not or wouldn’t be. Possibly
    slowly reverting to become very young again.

  16. carolyn on December 3, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I’m a little late to this one but I loved looking at the thought of using just 3 words to describe the different points in my life. It especially added to the gratitude I feel for finally reaching the point where I am now. It’s been a very long, painful journey for me and there were times I never thought I could get to this point.

    Age 10: shy, sad, scared

    Age 30: depressed, troubled, career-focused

    Now: awake, peaceful, hopeful

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