Are you different? The same? Better? Worse?
Same as I am now. Grumpy.
quite a bit thinner than i am now....lol
5 years less knowlegable than today.
Yes, I was the same then as I am now and the same as I will be in the next 5 years.
Hmm... I really had to think about this because my life is totally different now than it was five years ago. Murphy's Law is alive and well. Despite all that, I think I'm mostly the same. I trust less, though. I used to think most people would do the right thing, just because it's the right thing to do. They don't.
Yeah, I remember... I was in a much worse mental state at that time, completely lost. I always felt very alone, and bitter. It's only recently, say, within the last six months, that the changes seem sudden and plenty, after so much time for my thoughts to brew, after a lot of long nights alone, and through different experiences, trials and errors. I've been changing in small ways every day, even when time seems to stand still. It's just amazing to think about. I've seen so much in my life, and there are truly endless possibilities ahead. It's terrifying and exhilarating. I'm not a completely different person, but I now have a better understanding of myself and what I want (still working on it), and I have a lot more hope. I can't say it'll be peachy every day, but for now I'm doing alright.
Thanks for asking.
Yes
Yes
5 years ago I was 19, had just finished my freshman year of college. I feel like I didn't really "have it together" at the time. I'm not much different--my personality's pretty much the same and I'm just as much of a virgin and a nerd, but I was still figuring out what I wanted to do at that time. I'm glad I'm more confident about where I am in life than I was at 19.
Five years ago, I was in a seriously bad way,
profoundly depressed,
looking after my mother 24/7,
and dirt broke.
Today, by comparison, I'm doing very well,
still struggling with some of the same old problems I've had all my life
and a few new ones that come with age,
but by and large a whole heap better.
How about you?
yes. it was a time of great transition for me. it was rough. i am better for it, though.
I was in the budding stages of a beautiful relationship. We opened each other's eyes to the unlimited possibilities of love and intimacy between 2 people. Together we broke society's constraints and expressed our love freely. Some--like (I think) myself--grew and prospered in this dynamic, while the other drifted. Try as one might to bring them back, we only found ourselves weary. Yet, I fought on until that last breeze carried them so far out, there was nothing left for me to do.
So yes, I remember 5 years ago. Younger, immature, naive. In some ways, being a little naive and immature isn't a bad thing. However, in all I've learned since then, I think I'm stronger. We'll see if I'm better.
"No" ... it's too depressing.
I was an awkward, goofy 13 year old. Not much has changed.
I actually saw your response yesterday and I stopped to think about this. I've actually thought about it a lot in the last day or so. Your question was very timely for me. I often get branded as a naive person because I trust. There are times when it comes easily and times when it doesn't, and I'm going through a cycle when it's not easy and I don't want to. I'm still mad and frustrated at stuff. But, seeing this and remembering that, to me, being the optimist when it came to people was an intentional and deliberate choice. What does it matter if 10 people have been buttheads if I turn my back on the 11th person, who happens to be in genuine need? Anyway, thank you. You reminded me what's important to me. :)
In July 2011, I was slowly recovering for a disease. I was weaker than now, caught in a transition period.
The same as I am now.
The same as I am now except for the pain and fewer wrinkles.
Some things are better. Some things are worse. Much worse.
I've never been an addict but have known a few addicts very well in my time - codependency - less of a problem now at 60.
I have failed suicide - have numerous times been back there planning - but have now learned a kind of "mental hygiene" in which I constantly clean out unhealthy thoughts - it helps a lot to keep me from plunging back into depression.
I think time and growing older really do help a great deal - but not without the hard work of personal growth - and one never knows when life will throw up a major challenge.
If you ever feel the need to debrief, I can listen.