I was reading Coco & Lowe yesterday and came across this post The Proust Questionnaire , I immediately wanted to do it because I love doing Questionnaires. This one intrigued me particularly because it was done by author Marcel Proust whom I have read many of his books,. Here is how Coco from Coco & Lowe describes what The Proust Questionnaire is:
“The Proust Questionnaire is a bunch of questions that author Marcel Proust answered many times over his life that he found in a book called “An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc.”. The questionnaire became a popular parlor game for families and friends to play to help better understand each other. A version of the questionnaire can be found every month in the back of Vanity Fair being answered by various celebs. It’s a great way to document where you’re at in your life so I thought it would be a cool thing to start doing every year around this time. “
When I read that I felt immediately compelled to do the questionnaire, as 2010 will be a great year for me, and I hope to do things differently. I also want to set out clear goals this year, as I haven’t usually stuck to them in the past. I thought this would be a great start. Take a look at my answers, do your own as well if you want. Can’t wait to see at the end of 2010 if my answers will still be relevant.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I am not sure there is such thing as perfect happiness, however, my idea of being happy is being at one with myself, at peace with myself. Loving and being loved.
2. What is your greatest fear?
My biggest fear is failure, I am constantly afraid of not achieving everything I have set out to. When I feel that way I push myself even more.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Not being able to acknowledge my achievements and progress until much later (which is usually when others tell me)
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Presumptuousness
5. Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother, and anyone who has showed me by exampled that I could dare to dream and achieve anything I set out to.
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
Shoes (of course), makeup, jewelery
7. What is your current state of mind?
Excited about progression in my life, and moving to another level in my professional and personal life.
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Impartiality
9. On what occasion do you lie?
I generally don’t which some people wish I did to spare their feelings. If I do lie, its when I am about to get in a lot of trouble. lol
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Stretch marks, scars on my back
11. Which living person do you most despise?
Probably those that despise others for no reason at all.
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Ambition, Sense of Humor, Loyalty, Well mannered
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Sense of Humor, Ambition, Trustworthy
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
cute, thaaaaaanks, are you serious?, cool
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Good question, without naming names, the ones who have showed loyalty through the years are the greatest loves of my life.
16. When and where were you happiest?
In Montreal when visiting family having family dinners, when I see him and we do random outings anywhere, when I am with my favorite people doing anything I am at my happiest
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could play the piano as well as Alicia Keys.
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be more outgoing.
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Realizing my value and acknowledging that my greatest achievement can always be surpassed by another great achievement.
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I would probably come back as myself and make different decisions to see what would have happened differently.
21. Where would you most like to live?
I would love to live in Paris, I would also love to live in Bora Bora. Perhaps having a house everywhere and migrating every season to enjoy the best times in that country or city.
22. What is your most treasured possession?
My family and friends, definitely is not a material thing.
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Never being able to be happy, even when great things are happening. Always complaining about something, always seeing the worst in situations, never having a good time. Not being happy with yourself EVER !
24. What is your favorite occupation?
Being in control of what I want to do, when I want to do it.
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
Being stubborn and always needing to have the last word.
26. What do you most value in your friends?
They always have my back no matter what, they are very supportive and encouraging.
27. Who are your favorite writers?
There are so many but I will say Toni Morrison ,Jacques Solomé and Michelle Thériault to name a few.
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
LOL I have to agree with Coco on this one She-Ra and Jem are up there for me as well.
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Does Michelle Obama count?
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
Michelle Obama, Michaelle Jean, Martin Luther King
31. What are your favorite names?
Mariella, Anna Lisa, Racquel, Ella, (don’t have any guy names not sure why)
32. What is it that you most dislike?
People who pretend to be your friend but aren’t
33. What is your greatest regret?
Thinking I would have a second chance at love and not accepting him when he was ready.
34. How would you like to die?
Loved and loving.
35. What is your motto?
It’s not your successes that make you successful its the hardships you go through that make you successful. – forgot the author
