As I’m nearing the finish line of the #66write challenge on Medium, I’m feeling a sense of relief and a sense of gratitude.

Every day for 66 days, I had to:

• Read 10 pages of non-fiction
• Write 3 Tweets
• Publish an article on Medium
• Take a picture of my work and post it on Twitter.

That’s a lie, I didn’t “have to”, but wanted to see if I had the stamina and creativity to do it.

With 10 days left in the challenge, I’m officially burned out. My creativity spirit is on a 2-week vacation, and she didn’t give me her phone number.

Joe told me yesterday on our afternoon walk that though he thought I was insane to do this, he’s surprised I lasted this long with my ADHD.

When I read Jamie Northrups article yesterday (he’s doing the challenge as well), his article was about the 10 Question Challenge. This challenge goes back to a few people and I think it started with Linda Ng (if I’m wrong, please let me know).

I felt excited to do this. I thought it would be easy. What I forgot to think about is that I’d open myself up.

Fair warning, I’m pretty sure one or two of my answers will offend someone, but oh well, I’m not here to make everyone love me.

Update: this article was originally written on Medium as that’s where the challenge took place.

The 10-Question Challenge: Jamie Northrups

1. Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?
   Oh shit, a pause button, easy. A rewind button would insinuate that I regret my past. My grandchildren, the journey I’m on with my business, the life Joe and I have built over 29 years, the people I’ve met and the relationships built. Sure there were a lot of dangerous low spots along the way, but those made me stronger.
2. Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator?
   I’m claustrophobic, so an elevator is out of the question. I’d rather walk up 10 flights of stairs (unless my arthritis is being a bitch) than take an elevator.
3. Would you rather have a cook or a maid?
   A cook — because I hate cooking. The thinking, to make something taste great and yet be a slave to my dietary restrictions. A maid would be bored as my home is minimalistic, and it only takes Joe and I about 15 minutes a day to keep it clean.
4. Would you rather travel in the US and see the sights in a motorhome or by plane?
   Neither, I won’t set foot in the US. End of.
5. Would you rather be fluent in all languages or be a master of every musical instrument?
   I love music, but would I really have a need to master them all? nah, I’d rather be fluent in all languages, because that’s something I’d use with the travelling Joe and I have done and want to do, plus it would be cool to know what people say when they talk in their language, being rude in an English-speaking group.
6. Would you rather have nosy neighbors or noisy neighbors?
   I’d rather have nosy neighbors. I’m going through the noisy ones right now, we have 2 sets of neighbors out of our 14 townhouse section that let their kids run wild. No respect for anyone, leave toys all over the place, scream at the top of their lungs, the language (all the kids are under 10 years old). I’m dreading when their summer school starts.
7. Would you rather hear the good news or the bad news first?
   Bad news first and then the good news. Good kills bad.
8. Would you rather be an Olympic gold medalist or a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
   I stopped enjoying sports when strikes and out of this world contracts was worth more than the love of the sport and entertainment. A Nobel Peace Prize would be validation that I’ve done something significant in the world.
9. Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
   Easy… too hot. Cold, anything colder than 15 Celsius sets my arthritis into a frenzy. And winters here can hit -40 Celsius with the wind chill.
10. Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing?
    I meditated on this one for 10 minutes, imagining my life with one or the other. I can’t imagine a life where I can’t hear music, hear my Grandkids scream “Grandma G” when we visit. Or have those deep conversations with Joe as we sit outside in our sun shelter, listening to music and yeah, the neighbors kids screaming in the background. But I’ve been a visual creative for as long as I can remember. I would have to say that I’d rather lose my hearing. While I was thinking about this, my eyes were closed, and I was listening to the small sounds around me. I don’t think I could live without that. And after opening my eyes, thinking of what I have to do today, could I do it without sight? I don’t even want to think about it.

This was an eye-opening experience, that brought into light some of the things I take for granted.

There’s another 10 question challenge Jamie posted in his article that I’m going to try from Dave, and I’ll do that one tomorrow.

I can feel a little space being created in my brain. 😌

I’m going to tag Tariq Abdul-Rasheed to dare him to take the 10 question challenge 🤗

Hope you enjoyed this fun challenge and if you’d be interested in participating in a new version, let me know.

Until next time, stay inspired!

Gisèle