Proust Questionnaire

10 Jul, 2026

As a first post, I’ll introduce myself by answering the legendary Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is acceptance and the peace that comes with it. It can also be a cup of coffee on the couch on a rainy day with a book in my hand.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my children.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My fear of confrontation which makes me weak and spineless.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Arrogance, hypocrisy and dishonesty.
Which living person do you most admire?
I don’t admire anyone. I have seen too many skeletons in people’s closets to know that no one is perfect. Fame and celebrity are suspicious to me so I don’t admire politicians or celebrities.
What is your greatest extravagance?
The crazy-expensive notebooks I buy and don’t end up using to their full potential.
What is your current state of mind?
Disoriented. I feel myself lurching towards a new phase in life and I’m feeling lost,
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Ambition, especially in excess. It’s not a good look.
On what occasion do you lie?
To protect someone else, to not hurt someone else, and to save my own ass
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My increasing frumpiness as I enter middle age. My inability to look conventionally beautiful. My fucking nose.
Which living person do you most despise?
Again, I won’t name an individual. Just because we know the bad things they did doesn’t mean they’re the only one or even the worst one. The people I hate the most are those who hurt children.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Respect
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Openness
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“I’m so tired”
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My children
When and where were you happiest?
I have never known happiness until my children were born.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to sing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish to be better at being a friend.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being a mother.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
An elephant
Where would you most like to live?
I would like to live in Japan but I’d much rather be anywhere in the world my kids are.
What is your most treasured possession?
The bag of notes and cards I’ve received over the years from my kids, my students, friends and family.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
When there is literally nothing in life worth living for. An intense emptiness.
What is your favourite occupation?
I dreamed of owning a bookstore cafe but I do love being a teacher.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Apparently my stoicism
What do you most value in your friends?
Kindness
Who are your favourite writers?
There have been many over the years. Atwood, Plath, Flannery O’Connor, Angela Carter, Larkin, Heaney, Ishiguro… but I have more favourite books than favourite authors.
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
The woman in The Wall by Marlen Haushoffer
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
No one.
Who are your heroes in real life?
People who selflessly dedicate their lives to helping others.
What are your favourite names?
Sarah. Michael.
What is it that you most dislike?
Cockroaches
What is your greatest regret?
Never learning now to swim or ride a bike or drive.
How would you like to die?
Saying goodbye to everyone I love and then slipping away in my sleep.
What is your motto?
Don’t be upset about things outside your control.