The Proust Questionnaire Answered by A.H. Mehr

#Confessions

I remember, I started writing for Medium last September. I did not interact much or read articles, but had answered this questionnaire around that time. However, due to a personal crisis and having to attend to that, lost the will to write. I then removed some of my posts at January’s end. I just chanced upon Dr. Mehmet’s article now. Remembered a previous one by Tree Langdon. I am an introvert, known for not talking much, not making friends. But I am answering this questionnaire now and will never delete this post again :-)

So here go my answers:

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? My family in good health, happy and content; the peace I experience because of them being happy; the calm during meditation; the fresh early morning breeze; rains during the day; and me reading books or writing.
2. What is your greatest fear? Losing my loved ones unnerves me, and I have unfortunately had to face it recently. Still, this remains the biggest fear. Another one is the failure (you get up again, but that one moment of failure is enough to scar you for life); ill health, and being dependent on others (I want to be independent and be of help to the needy instead).
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Being an introvert, avoiding chaos and unnecessary talk — (I am fine with this trait of mine and will not change) — but sometimes, this lands me in a sea of judgments that drown me, and it is difficult to be ashore.
4. Which living person do you most admire? Lots of people, big list. Most important if I have to say is — my parent(s), a colleague and my mentor.
5. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Perfection and being flawless are overrated — I don’t believe in these.
6. On what occasion do you lie? Only when some harsh truth hurts my family.
7. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Okay.” “Take Care.” “Alright.” “I don’t understand this.” “I just don’t get this.” “No worries.”
8. What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family and a lot of other people.
9. When and where were you happiest? There are so many moments! Can’t pick one.
10. Which talent would you most like to have? Bettering my skills further in calligraphy and painting.
11. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Having various thoughts clouding my mind, perhaps I should have a clear mind. To be assertive to, and face people who purposely try to hurt me.
12. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Educated, being able to write, independent, of help to others.
13. Where would you most like to live? Any place which is close to nature.
14. What do you most value in your friends? Honesty, nonjudgmental, loyal for life. Any emotional wounds or scars of mine should not change their attitude and friendship towards me.
15. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Some great literary figures, again can’t pick one.
16. Who are your heroes in real life? My parents and siblings.
17. What is your greatest regret? Losing my mother — This takes precedence now over all other regrets I may have.
18. What is your motto? Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Don’t hurt others.

© 2021 A.H. Mehr

Thanks, Dr Mehmet Yildiz and Tree Langdon