This is an interesting question to start with because I consider myself to be an old soul and I love the idea with the freedom and responsibilities of adulthood, but I'm also not ready to throw my childhood away. So I suppose taking both of these into consideration, I'd probably say I'm around 12. Not yet through my awkward stage yet still in the maturing process.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Hands down never trying. I'd rather try to find the things that I am successful at by failing at the things I'm not, than live in fear of failing everything I try.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many thing we don't like and like so many things we don't do?
First of all, because we have to do so many things we don't like because society tells us we have to. As human beings we conform. Second of all experience, we can't know if we don't like something if we've never tried it. As for liking things we don't do, I believe it's the mystery and adventure of it. It gives you something to look forward to and by not doing it, you'll appreciate it even more when given the chance to try it.
4. When it's all said and done, will you have said more that you've done?
For me, probably. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love to talk whether I know what it is I'm talking about or not. So when it comes down to it, I believe that I'll have wasted so much time talking about the things I could be doing than actually doing them.
5. What is the one thing you'd love to change about the world?
Definitely the way we allow society to define us and what normal is. I know a more typical answer would be "ending all war" or "poverty" but when it comes down to it, I believe that if society was more accepting and people were able to live the way they wanted to, these bigger problems will solve themselves.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Teaching. Whether it's by the books in a classroom or travelling the world and spreading my own personal knowledge, I love the idea of helping people understand.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I'd like to think that I am doing what I believe in and I can assure you that I am even if it's just the slightest bit. I don't let people influence the way I think. When I have an opinion, it's my opinion and it's next to impossible to change it. But then in a way I am settling. I don't always allow myself to use my full potential.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I'd mainly work on my bucket list 20x faster! There are so many adventurous things that I would love to do and haven't because I'm lacking the time or money.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Considering I am only 18 and only live away from my parents September-April, probably not entirely. Like most people my parents have a big impact on the outcome of my life so far, but they don't set too many limitations for me. We bargain in a way. I had to go to post secondary, but I could choose whatever it was I wanted to go for, as an example.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Probably doing the right things. Everyone has a different take on what doing the right thing is and I feel like as long as I follow my own beliefs I'll be a happier person.
11. You're having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Without a doubt stand up for my friend. If I respect and admire these people I should be able to be honest and open with them, then I should reconsider how much I admire them. I take my friendships very seriously because I do have a hard time connecting with new people so when someone close to me is being disrespected in any form I feel compelled to stop it.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don't rush growing up. You'll get to experience life in all the different stages eventually. Take your time and appreciate every day of it.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
This ties into doing things right or doing the right thing. It would have to depend not the situation and what I consider to be the right thing. If breaking the law happens to be it then, yes I would.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
Everyday! My brain works in such a way that I don't even understand it sometimes, but it's constantly working and analyzing and coming up with new ideas. Then at times it makes me consider throwing myself into a hospital!
15. What's something you know you do differently than most people?
Back to the previous question, I truly believe that I have a different way of thinking and working things out in my mind.
16. How come the things that make me happy don't make everyone happy?
Everyone is different. Therefore everyone is made happy in a different way.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back?
It may sound kind of stupid to some, but experience romantic love. I'm too afraid of sharing my feelings and am way to self-conscious for my own good that I just can't put myself into that kind of situation.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Most definitely! I don't let anything go and probably one of my biggest flaws.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Austria. Besides the fact that it is my background, I love how it's not entirely modernized and some of the olden day traditions are still carried on, plus CASTLES!
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really think it makes the elevator go faster?
This question made me laugh because yes I do! But I really don't think it moves any faster, I'm just so impatient that pressing it once isn't enough.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
A joyful simpleton. I feel like I'd have more time to appreciate the little things than if I were too busy worrying all the time.
22. Why are you, you?
I like being me. I don't know how to be anyone else. Sure there are things I'd like to change about myself, but even when I try to, I can't because it simply isn't me.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you'd want as a friend?
Probably not. I find I don't always think twice before speaking and I can say some pretty harsh things, my friends now are troopers for staying by my side for so long!
24. Which is worse, a good friend moving away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Definitely losing touch with a good friend who lives near you. It's so much easier to keep in touch when you live so close that when you let someone slip through your fingers so easily it feels awful. At least when they move away and you keep in contact you've practically proven that your friendship is indestructible!
25. What are you most grateful for?
Nature. It's the most calming thing in my life. Whenever I feel stressed I can go on a walk or sit at the park for a few hours just letting my mind wander as I appreciate the sky and the trees blowing in the wind.
26. Would you rather lose all your old memories or not be able to make new ones?
Since I have such a good memory, I wouldn't be able to handle losing all my old memories. It's soothing to be able to look back on my life and be swarmed with feelings of nostalgia.
27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
No. It's like saying you're afraid of roller coasters without ever riding one. You may just be nervous about trying it, but until you've tried it and realized that it's just not enjoyable in the slightest bit then you can say you're afraid of roller coasters.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
Fear in general, no. Unless I so happened to miss being covered head to toe in spiders. Personal fear, yes. Disappointing my parents, it's the worst feeling knowing that something you did hurt the people that made you.
29. Do you remember that time five years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it matter now?
Considering five years ago I was thirteen, of course it doesn't matter. I remember thinking I had it so bad and always being so angry with my parents when really I was just a really dramatic preteen girl struggling with hormones and puberty.
30. What's your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
I was probably about 6 or 7 around this time and it was during a trip to our family cottage. My Oma and Opa were there, my parents, my aunt, and my great grandma who is still kicking today! We were taking a walk to the beach to watch the sunset and I got to go on the swings, play in the sand, and even stand on someone's boat. I remember taking a picture with my great grandma holding me in her lap while sitting on the edge of the boat. It was one of the last times my great grandma was able to truly enjoy herself at the cottage because later that year her arthritis got really bad and she wasn't able to walk on the beach anymore.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
This may sound strange, but when I got to go through my first ever haunted house just a few weeks ago. I had a few experiences there and since I've always loved the paranormal I felt so enthusiastic all day. Not to mention I got to explore it with two of my good friends!
32. If not now, then when?
I'm not sure if this question is in relation to the previous one or just as a general question. I'll answer it as general since that came to mind first. If it isn't now, then it will be whenever I am ready and whenever I feel comfortable.
33. If you haven't achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Nothing. I have to keep on trying until I am able to accomplish even my most impossible dreams.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you've just had the best conversation ever?
All the time. In fact most of my best conversations are the ones where nothing is said. That's the beauty about being to connect with someone on such an intimate level.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
This is one of the reasons I am not religious. In a way I consider religions to be like a cult. If you don't believe something the same way as that religion it becomes a problem and that religion tries to make you think the way that they do. When it doesn't work even more problems are created. (This is just my own opinion, I am in no way trying to offend anyone. Just because I don't believe in religion doesn't mean I'll tell other people not to.)
36. It is possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
No way! Again, everyone has their own beliefs so what one may consider good, could be the biggest act of evil for someone else. It's all your own personal belief.
37. If you won a million dollars would you quit your job?
It all depends on how happy I am at the job. If I am doing something I love, why would I stop just because I am rich enough to afford it. I'm going to keep doing what makes me happy.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
More work. If I enjoy doing it why should it matter? It's like when I had homework in the classes I loved doing, I always wished I had more!
39. Do you feel like you've lived this day a hundred times before?
Yes. I feel like that all the time, especially when I stay inside the house all day because I'm usually just doing the same things I always do.
40.When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
About a week and a half ago. I remembered a sliver of a dream and it led me to do something that I would've talked myself out of any other time.
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
Anyone I hadn't seen in a long time, or had unresolved issues with.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
I almost said yes to the attractive part of this question because there are so many times that I feel like I am too self-conscious to amount to anything, but then I reconsidered immediately after. I would't want to through away all the opportunities that I would've had in those ten years for something that society has constructed. Everyone has their own beauty and even if I don't feel like I do, deep down I know it's not true.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Being alive is your mere existence, truly living is what you decide to do with that existence.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risks and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
Right away. The longer you think about something the more likely you are to back down and regret it later.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
We are more afraid of letting ourselves and others down than making the actual mistake.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I'd allow my personality to fully show no matter where I was and who I was with. Being judged is up there on my list of biggest fear and I find it holds me back so much when it comes to being myself.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
Last night. I listen to my own breath or the sounds of people around me every night.
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
I love so many things it would take too long to make a list. Unfortunately I probably haven't expressed my love for anything through my actions recently because I have such a hard time showing this expression that it just stays bottled up inside or on my blog that only a few people that I know, know about.
49. In five years from now will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Of course I won't remember every day, but I do remember the important ones, or at least small things that happen everyday because that's the kind of person I am. I remember things that no one else does, either because they can't or they don't think it's important enough. Personally though I have an amazing memory and I consider so many small things important that the chances of them finding a way into my memory are very likely.
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
This is once again something I'd like to say that I am doing it all myself, but I also know that it's not entirely true. I do have a say in every decision I make, but by allowing others to give me advice or opinions I am allowing my decisions to be influenced.
I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to these questions, I know I loved answering them. It rely allowed me to think about myself and calm my mind down in a way. Please feel free to answer them yourself here.
