2. Write about how a parent or sibling would have described you at the age of 15.
When I was fifteen I think I was coming out of a bit of a dark phase. I was not a super happy young girl and I was not shy about displaying my misery. I think I’m naturally a bit of an introspective thinker/writer with a flare for the dramatic side and losing my dad gave that side of me a place to sulk for many years. Even though ALL of us had lost our dad, for some reason I was the one that turned into the cranky teenager. In my defense, we did move from my childhood home AND I hated school AND my mom remarried AND he told me what to do. Add in puberty and you really had the perfect storm for a very difficult teenage girl.
My family would have described me as funny, despite any mood swings I do think I always had a sense of humor. But then they would have also called me Daria, an MTV character who was a bit of a Debbie Downer. Dark humor paired with a monotone delivery will have that effect I think. My mom worried I would fall in with the wrong crowd and turn to drugs. She credits my friends to this day for bringing me out of my funk.
I knew I needed to turn things around when my sister told me I was evil. I didn’t let her see me flinch but it hit different because I could tell she really meant it and I wondered deep down if maybe it was true. I was so rude to her boyfriend that he actually said he wouldn’t care if I died. He’s my brother in law now and certainly one of my most favorite brothers ever so that little issue between us has long since been squashed. I don’t know how I flipped the switch. When you find yourself in a dark, angry place it can be difficult to climb out even when you want to. I think my Mom is right that my friends were a bright light for me. I think sports also offered me a place to build confidence and physically release whatever was bottled up in me. You know that bossy stepdad of mine never missed a game. I guess I just needed to grow up a little to see past the “woe is me” self-pity mindset I trapped myself in.
I don’t think any of them would call me evil now…though they do sometimes still call me Daria. I once asked Maile to choose one word to describe me. She went into careful consideration and I could see her processing the possibilities before responding with, “I don’t know…probably happy.” She has no idea how especially wonderful that was to hear. HAPPY. Such a long long way from Evil. And she’s right!
The Prompts:
1. Do you believe in signs? What’s your birth sign and how is it spot on or totally wrong about you?
2. Write about how a parent or sibling would have described you at the age of 15.
3. Tell us about a news story that has captured your attention.
4. Write a list of 7 ideas to make this your best year yet.
5. Write a blog post inspired by the word: play.
6. The last time my heart melted was because…
Cathy Kennedy says
Kat,
All teenagers go through a dark place. Unfortunately the passing of your dad did little to help that phase but the good thing is you came through the lows okay. Sometimes we have to get a figurative slap to the face to see what we’re doing wrong. Your sister calling you evil was what you needed at that moment. I remember my troubled teens, mostly I loathed myself. I didn’t feel smart or pretty enough and I just hated being alive but never suicidal. I just hated who I was like so many teens do. One can’t see the pity party they are in those days until they reach adulthood to look back and think, “I can’t believe I was like that!”. Teenagers are too wrapped up in their own drama to see how good life truly is around them. Thanks for sharing your story and for hosting the weekly writing workshop, my dear.
John Holton says
You went through an awful lot of upheaval in the eight years between your father dying and when you turned 15. No matter what your personality was like, it’s like life gave you the old one-two. Even if you had been an extrovert with a thousand friends, it would have been tough. In fact, it might have been to your advantage that you were introverted. You can never tell.
Anyway, it all worked out for you, and you’re a better person for it. And I always thought Daria was pretty cool…
Patty says
I can so identify with what you went through and, like many parents, experienced much of the same when my kids were that age.
You definitely went through a great deal while coping with just trying to deal with all the damn commotion of being a teen. Heck, would any one of us want to go back and re-live those years?
Like John said, you are a better person for it…and a very strong woman!
Stay safe!