Prompt #4

It’s the time of year when I’m inundated with tutorials on how to become an entirely different person in 4 days, or to have the perfect life by January 1st 2024. So, instead of looking toward the scary future, let’s go back in time and think of who we used to be. This is really to practice writing from the perspective of youth, but call it shadow work, call it finding your inner child, call it what you want; that’s up to you and your therapist. Here’s the prompt!

Picture yourself when you were five years old. Good job if you’re reading this and are currently five years old; just picture yourself last year.

Think hard about your personality at that time, your likes and dislikes, how you talked and how you dressed, all of it.

Now, write a conversation if present-day you ran into that 5-year-old on the street today. You can leave the prompt there, or if you want to take it further, begin the exchange as if Older You does not recognize Younger You as your younger self. They’re just a kid you’re having a chat with. At some point in the scene, there is a turning point where you realize they are your younger self. Write through that turning point and continue the conversation.

Remember to block off at least 10 minutes for this, but you can do more. Start your timers, and write!

I’m reading Manuscript by Paul Grellong.

I’m watching music in Cinema via Rennaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, Waitress: The Musical, and The Color Purple.

I’m listening to Little Women on audiobook for the wintry vibes.

Did you have fun talking to your younger self? Here are some outtakes from baby me that helped guide my writing.

Let me know how it went for you in the comments!

Until next week~