You are in front of a mirror, and your 21 year old self is looking back at you. What questions would you ask? How would your 21 year old self answer?
Some interesting responses from the 9 - 12's:
Q: Are you a good artist?
A: Yes, and we're still better than mom.
Q: Do you have a job?
A: I'm still looking for one, but I applied to graduate school.
Q: Do you still like to read?
A: Yes. I treasure books. I kiss their covers.
Q: Do you still see our friends from when we were kids?
A: Yes. Always.
Q: Are you still interested in Lego?
A: Yes, but mostly for display.
Q: Future self, is the world clean now?
A: Yes it is, thanks to you.
Journal prompt extension:
Describe yourself at 21.
What are you wearing? Where do you live? How do you feel?
A: I wear jeans and t-shirts. When it's a casual day, I wear shorts. I solve for x just for fun.
A: I have black hair and green eyes (ah, the wonders of science!) I feel fabulous and joyous everyday.
A: I have short black hair with silver highlights. I'm wearing black jeans, black t-shirt. I have my guitar. I'm chillin.'
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This exercise was originally meant for adults, "What would you say to your 21 (16, 8, 10, etc) year old self? What advice would you give?" But I turned it around to suit the kids, as we are currently learning about identity - understanding ourselves and, eventually, others.
Which got me thinking, if I faced my 21 year old self in a mirror, what would I ask her? The answer: What were you thinking!? Then we'll laugh, and marvel at how everything turned out pretty good.
