Friday Five - Childhood Hopes
Dec. 14th, 2024 07:32 am1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A veterinarian. Or a writer. I loved animals and books so those seemed natural fits.
2. Did you follow through? If not, what happened?
The writing, kind of yes. Obviously I still do it even though I'm not A Published Author. Unfortunately the woman who raised me convinced me not to go into veterinary medicine. "If you can't do math in your head they won't let you be a vet," and "With your bad math grades you won't even be able to apply to vet school. You'll never be allowed in." Much later I found that none of that was true, and she'd talked me out of my lifelong dream for ... some reason.
3. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?
I can't remember what I thought my life would be like as a kid, but by the time I was in high school and college (and beyond) I honestly didn't think I'd live as long as I have. I had no reason to envision the future, plan, or anything like that, so I didn't. I enjoy the life I have, it's honestly great.
4. Paradoxes aside, if you could time-travel back to when you were 10 years old, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?
It's not just you, she's poisonous. Don't listen to her. She'll tell you that you're stupid and worthless to make herself feel better, and that's all you are to her. Someone to torture and shit on so she can feel big and important. She'll crush every bit of self-esteem and confidence you have just to not have to face the fact that she feels no joy. Leave as soon as you can.
5. Do you think the child you were, would like the adult you've become?
Probably yes. I've tried to live by the idea of being the adult your child self needed.
A veterinarian. Or a writer. I loved animals and books so those seemed natural fits.
2. Did you follow through? If not, what happened?
The writing, kind of yes. Obviously I still do it even though I'm not A Published Author. Unfortunately the woman who raised me convinced me not to go into veterinary medicine. "If you can't do math in your head they won't let you be a vet," and "With your bad math grades you won't even be able to apply to vet school. You'll never be allowed in." Much later I found that none of that was true, and she'd talked me out of my lifelong dream for ... some reason.
3. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?
I can't remember what I thought my life would be like as a kid, but by the time I was in high school and college (and beyond) I honestly didn't think I'd live as long as I have. I had no reason to envision the future, plan, or anything like that, so I didn't. I enjoy the life I have, it's honestly great.
4. Paradoxes aside, if you could time-travel back to when you were 10 years old, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?
It's not just you, she's poisonous. Don't listen to her. She'll tell you that you're stupid and worthless to make herself feel better, and that's all you are to her. Someone to torture and shit on so she can feel big and important. She'll crush every bit of self-esteem and confidence you have just to not have to face the fact that she feels no joy. Leave as soon as you can.
5. Do you think the child you were, would like the adult you've become?
Probably yes. I've tried to live by the idea of being the adult your child self needed.