Comments on: when i grow up redux – on potential

By: edj

edj — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:21:02 +0000

I was always told that I could do anything if I would just “apply myself.” Finally, finishing my college years late, I realized that might not be entirely true. But all my life, I’ve had this underlying sense that I’ve wasted all that gorgeous potential I had.

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:01:15 +0000

My parents were always outwardly proud of me, my grades, my musical abilities, my general sense of humour and personality. But I never had the sense that but the world was my oyster! I could do anything! In fact, I was always very insecure about my abilities. Case in point: I loved writing, secretly yearned to be a writer, but thought my grasp of grammar was too weak to be a professional writer.

So I guess I’m really hitting my stride now, because I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. Life experiences and, to a large extent, becoming a mother have buoyed my confidence up. Sadly, these same forces have seriously dragged my continence down.

By: christy

christy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:23:16 +0000

I think all old people claim that their children walked and talked and potty trained early. According to my granmother, all of the children were walking by nine months (she has 5 children). They were also all potty trained by age 2. AMAZING!

By: George

George — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:45:00 +0000

Just have to say to Thordora that I had exactly the same experience with University, thought it would be a place to learn and was bitterly disapointed. 2nd time round I’m enjoying it, and, studying law, feeling like I’m beyond my potential sometimes. Always still comparining myself to my ever-so-articulate and knowledgeable younger sister. Try to tell myself that I’m just as smart as her, but if that’s the case how come Dad never wants to have intellectual debates with me instead of her?

By: JoC

JoC — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:32:47 +0000

It sounds as though I am not the only one who feels “you have so much potential” isn’t really a compliment…

By: alejna

alejna — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:01:08 +0000

Oh, man. I’m a big bundle of unrealized potential. I always feel like I could do amazing things if only I could…um…stick to something, perhaps? I was always really good at school. Pretty much in every subject. Which means that…I’m really good at being in school. Which is probably why I’ve spent so much time in school.

Crap. I just realized that I have all but 6 years of my 20 years of adult life as a student. And I took some classes during those 6 “non student” years.

By: bon

bon — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:21:08 +0000

dear woman in a window,

do i feel better? not really. more just terribly afraid of 39, now. :)

By: woman in a window

woman in a window — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:43:32 +0000

never REALLY believed in myself. Pretty much still there.

True story, on my 39th birthday just a few days ago, while my sister handed me a lovely present, I pooped myself. Oh yes I did.

Don’t you feel better?

By: slouching mom

slouching mom — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:08:50 +0000

Yep. Told I was a genius very early on. It’s been the bane of my existence ever since. I’ve got nothing to show for it, nothing at all.

(And, it shouldn’t need to be noted, I am no genius.)

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:14:44 +0000

Or a day job. These days, I think they do basically the same thing. :)