I’m again linking up with the lovely Denyse Whelan who’s challenged us to share TEN things we like about ourselves. But first… because I’ve endured this earworm, it’s your turn.
And yes, I know that’s not EXACTLY the topic, but it jumped into my head and hasn’t disappeared. Along with the Heath Ledger / Julia Stiles movie, 10 Things I Hate About You – the first DVD I ever owned incidentally… because it came free with my first DVD player!
But… enough about pop culture. Today’s post is a challenge for me as my dad was very much anti-arrogance as I was growing up. Indeed, I’ve remained paranoid about ever being caught looking in a mirror because he once commented on it being vain.
Sadly / happily I’ve inherited much of his self-deprecating bravado. Even when I sometimes don’t mean it. But I’m all-growed-up now and know better. Or different(ly). So… I’m going to be brave and risk being seen as ‘totes up-myself’ and do this thang…
- I like children and am generally good with them
- I care about others (I’m self-absorbed, but still a softie)
- I love reading
- I refuse to watch The Bachelor/ette or Housewives of whatever
- I have a wonderfully devoted mum (and dad, once)
- I’m fairly coordinated & flexible for someone who’s been overweight for the past 25yrs
- My spelling and grammar are pretty good
- I’m good at schmoozing and being nice to people (even when I don’t want to be… it’s the former diplomat in me!)
- My constitution’s surprisingly good given my lack of interest in all fruit and many vegetables
- I’m sarcastic / funny / droll / have a fun sense of humour.
And there you have it…. things I like about me. I commented on Twitter yesterday that I reached seven and became stuck. A friend suggested I seek advice from those who know me. I am intrigued about what people would say, but know they wouldn’t be too honest about the negative stuff (plus I already know I’m an obsessive control freak!).
Is this something you find hard?
I’m linking up with Denyse Whelan for Life This Week.
October 10, 2016
Quite happy to have The Romantics as an earworm, it sure beats the Wiggles and various other kiddie sound tracks!!
October 10, 2016
Oh god yes, very true!
October 10, 2016
This is a lovely and loving list!! I hear you on the ‘dad’s words which reverberate’ and mine is lazy. I ‘may’ not always want or like to be active but I heard that word too much as a judgement in child/teen hood and it sticks. It has been hard for me to actually allow myself to chill and rest…but I am getting there. I think this list is YOU..even though we have never met IRL, I sense much via your words!! Thanks so much for taking on the prompt challenge and linking up! Denyse x
October 10, 2016
Thanks Denyse. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if my dad’s ‘no boasting or arrogance (or over-self-confidence)’ was something handed down from his own mother!
October 10, 2016
We have some similar qualities. I’m a self-absorbed softie as well! I never thought of it that way. That’s a good way of putting it. I also love reading and hate The Bachelor and all those similar shows. And I have a devoted Mum. I struggled with this exercise too, so I asked others. The number one response was my sense of humour. That’s an odd one because I’m only funny in writing. In person I’m quiet and probably seem aloof or like I have resting bitch face lol I envy your ability to schmooze!
October 10, 2016
I almost asked the friend what she’d say, but am sure she would have been nice. Oh I’m a very good networker and good at hooking others up. Not myself (in terms of promoting myself) but excellent at introducing others!
October 10, 2016
Excellent earworm! Perfect for a Monday, I reckon.
In awe of your schmoozing skils.
SSG xxx
October 10, 2016
I also almost had the Miley Cyrus (7 Things) song in my head. Almost…
October 10, 2016
I laughed out loud at number 4. I am the same I grew up in a sort of self deprecating culture more from my friendship group rather than parents as my Mum is very loud and proud about her skills. Old habits die hard it is hard to change I would like to have more confidence!
October 10, 2016
Probably – but I didn’t stay on topic today! Here’s something you might find surprising – I’m not like you AT ALL when it comes to number one. My brief time teaching scarred me for life! In fact my family were surprised I even had kids. What can I say – it IS different when it’s your own 😉 . Oh, and I’m TOTALLY with you on #4 …
October 10, 2016
I remember being gobsmacked a decade or so ago when catching up with some friends. One had a relatively new baby and I offered another friend a chance to have a nurse. (She had 2 kids herself but they were a bit older.) And she was like, “No way, I hate kids other than my own.” I was really surprised.
October 10, 2016
You are kind, generous in many ways, loyal, fun, intelligent, thoughtful, reflective… And that’s just off the top of my head. Love you xoxo
October 10, 2016
Awwww… thank you. x
October 10, 2016
I love this so much. (especially the selfabsorbed softie line. I think you nailed me as well).
xo
October 11, 2016
Thanks Carla. I talk about myself being self-absorbed all of the time, but DO care about others…. just have way too much time to think about me (and my every thought!).
October 10, 2016
I envy you being co-ordinated. I am the clumsiest human in the world!
October 11, 2016
I played a lot of sport as a kid… I suspect that helped, but it’s probably genetic so just lucky on my part!
October 10, 2016
Being positive about ourselves is so hard. I love that you are/were close to your parents. If you couldn’t put anything on the list, I think that would be still a good list.
October 11, 2016
Yes… I assumed it was kinda natural. I had friends who weren’t as close to their parents, but experienced it more when I went away to University and found there were people there who were really quite distant from their parents.
October 10, 2016
You have a great list here Deborah! I especially love number 4.. I also refuse to watch shows like that. I think they are such a waste of time. If your into them you should watch it off course, but no.. not for me. Nothing arrogant about that list! 😉
October 11, 2016
Yes, I used to love So You Think You Can Dance and the like (talent based reality TV shows) but can’t stand most of them. I don’t care that others do enjoy them but life’s short etc etc…
October 11, 2016
What a good exercise. I could probably come up with some type of list but would be so hard to not add qualifiers. Why do we do this to ourselves? Totally busted up when you mentioned your constitution. And LOOOOOOOOOOVE 10 Things I Hate About You.
October 11, 2016
I know I tried not to add qualifiers but so wanted to.
I watched it again and again when I had it. I think I gave it to my niece from memory! (Was a Julia Stiles fan and it was the first thing I saw Heath Ledger in!)
October 11, 2016
This is a great list!
Your “constitution” … hahahahaha.
I would also add that you’re easy to be around, inclusive, supportive and brave (I found that whole selling the apartment and buying a house thing very brave).
Oh and LOVE 10 Things I hate about you. Which also came to my mind when writing this list. The movie … not the hating you bit …
October 11, 2016
Oh thanks so much… and yes. The buying and selling thing was more stressful because it came on top of my surgery etc this time around. It’s the fourth place I’ve bought (and third I’ve sold) so you’d think I’d be more zen about it by now!
October 11, 2016
I bailed on this one – it was tough! I especially like #10, you can get through a lot of things with a great/sarcastic sense of humour! Also, I love that you used the word “constitution”, not many people do anymore. It reminds me of the Granddad in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 😉
October 11, 2016
Ha! Yes… though I’m struggling to visualise him at the moment (keep seeing the Grandpa from the original Willy Wonka in my head!).
I didn’t want to say I’ve been healthy (cos I’ve been overweight with high BP and a myriad of other things) but really… relatively healthy nevertheless. Constitution sounded right. Plus I’m sure iridologists use a similar word from memory.
October 16, 2016
Self absorbed but a softie *nods* I think I am too. And I’m not a big fan of reality shows or those Bachelor/ ette type shows either. I’m also not fond of fruit although I do eat (some) vegetables- but not nearly enough!
I think it’s good to give ourselves a break every once in a while though and reflect on things about ourselves that are good. I think our parents have such an effect on how we see ourselves!
October 16, 2016
Oh yes, I appreciated those who participated who didn’t feel the need to include qualifiers and who very much focused on their strengths etc… I was somewhere in between – not TOO self-deprecating but not entirely putting myself out there either.
October 16, 2016
What a great list! I have a hard time with these things, too….my parents did the same thing with me, warning about vanity. lol.
Thanks for sharing.
October 16, 2016
Perhaps it was a generational thing. Whereas now it’s all about encouraging kids to be positive and confident etc…