Sharon W.
You're Not The Only One
Who I interviewed.
What years were you in middle school (7th-8th grade)?
What kinds of music, movies, and fashions were popular at the time?
Movies: The Matrix, The Sixth Sense, She's All That, Rugrats, Nick-at-Night, Charlie's Angels, Bring It On.
Fashion: Chokers for necklaces/bracelets, highlights in hair, off the shoulder shirts/tops, halter tops, rhinestone on clothing, Swarvoski jewelry, flare jeans, Sketchers or Adidas brand shoes.
What were your favorite activities in middle school? What were your hobbies and interests?
Air Hockey
Listening To Music
Playing Violin In Her Orchestra
What job/interests/activities do you have now? Is there a connection between what you like back then and what you enjoy now?
What was the best part about being in middle school?
Best part of middle school: While she didn't always love it at the time, it would be learning- learning about her interests, what she was good at, what she didn't like, what kind of person she wanted to become, and the kind of people she chooses to surround herself with.
What was the worst part?
How would you describe your middle school self?
What advice about growing up would you give to kids my age?
"When I was younger, I spent a lot of time, energy, and emotions looking for confirmation that I was loved. Because I thought being loved meant I was free. I would be free to make mistakes, to be disliked, and not to know all the answers. I could do all that and it would be okay because no matter what happened, I would still be loved. In my research, what I found instead was that I was the best version of me I could have been in each season of my life. I was what I was looking for. You may and likely do the same. Most people do, but I want to be one of the people in your life to let you know early on that you are loved. I believe if you hear that enough, you will spend less time looking for evidence to support that you are loved, and just start living like you are awesome enough to be loved. Then each time you make mistakes, you would know it means you have taken risks and learn what you are capable of. Every dislike means you should stand up for something you believe in. And not know everything means you get to spend the rest of your life learning the extent of your AWESOMENESS!!!"