Do you remember Ernest Hemingway’s short, short story. For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.? At the Smith Magazine Larry Smith used Hemingway’s story as inspiration and asked his readers to describe their lives in six words. It was supposed to be a month long competition but now five years later it’s still going strong.
Oprah Magazine ran an article on the six word memoir this month and there were some great ones in there. My personal favourite was Trudy Love Tantalo, 60 who came up with Was hot. Raised kids. Lost cool. Although kudos also goes to Kimberly Kilroy, 53 with Still fit into high school earrings. There were some particularly poignant ones as well, Melinda Hui, 38 Abandoned at 5. Learning to thrive. While Melanie Barbour, 34 shared Stage IV cancer made me live.
How would you define your life in six words?
I’m struggling with the task so far I’ve come up with a few.
Forward thinker, attracts chaos, tries hard.
Or
Always making do while dreaming big.
Or
Laughing through the insanity of life.
Will have to give it some thought and come back later with a more refined final version. In the meantime, what have you got? Six words, your life, go ….
Lauren says
Tried this once. Giving up. Again. 😉
shambolicliving says
Well done. You made me laugh out loud.
orples says
LOL,uh, I know the feeling.
miq says
Too funny!
SusanWritesPrecise says
I like your definitions.
Sounds like an interesting challenge. I’m going to try it!
Heidi says
Perhaps later, when I can think.
stephanie fitzpatrick says
Ummm. This is what I came up with and so far it is true:
Random life stories: love, laughter, kindness.
shambolicliving says
Well done. You are a quick thinker. I read the article last night and was still struggling to come up with something this morning.
stephanie fitzpatrick says
Thanks, I don’t feel so quick. I’ve been trying to come up with a title for my blog for a little while now that encompasses your question!
The Confluent Kitchen says
I love love love this post so much. In fact, I’m going to reblog it, I love it so much. Anyway. Here’s mine.
No longer living life on standby.
shambolicliving says
Great memoir. Well done.
The Confluent Kitchen says
There’s still some work in progress. Thanks!
The Confluent Kitchen says
Reblogged this on confluentkitchen and commented:
I loved this post, and thought of my own.
No More Living Life On Standby.
I feel like, for the first time ever, this is true. I live where I want to live, with whom I want to life, WHERE I want to live. We do the things that we want to do. Life is coming together and I feel truly blessed.
Sara Martin says
I make things happen. Join me.
Thanks for the fun exercise!
shambolicliving says
So you are the girl we go to when we need things done. Well done.
orples says
Start with these 6 for now … “Grateful, for all that I have.” … but like you, I’m sure there are plenty of other 6 word scenarios that could describe us all.
shambolicliving says
That’s a good place to be grateful for what you have.
Diana Douglas says
Loved your “Laughing through the insanity of life.” So far I haven’t been able come up with anything better. I’m going to repost this blog because its too much fun not to share!
shambolicliving says
Thanks Diana.
Diana Douglas says
Reblogged this on Diana Douglas and commented:
It’s harder than you think!
miq says
Reblogged this on Three Descriptors and commented:
What a fabulous exercise!
I’m still trying to come up with my six word memoir. I’ll keep you updated as I work.
What about you? Can you write a six word memoir? Care to share?
miq says
I love this (hence the reblog). As soon as I come up with something I’ll definitely be sharing. Thanks for posting this!
miq says
Bar too high. Should I limbo?
That’s what I came up with, the help of a comment from my blog 🙂
shambolicliving says
Very clever.
The Confluent Kitchen says
I really like that one.
miq says
Thanks!
Sarah Harris says
Given keys, looking for right door.
Fun! Thanks for sharing!
shambolicliving says
Oh very good.
ChrystinaNoel says
My first thought: Just trying to make people happy.
shambolicliving says
Beautiful.