Way back in the twenty-teens (2013 to be specific) on my old blog NDC, I wrote a post entitled “6 Things You Might Like To Know About Me.”

I was doing a blog challenge at the time and had to do one post a day. Let’s just say some days I struggled to find content.

Anyway, I read through my answers and thought it’s be fun to compare 2013* me to 2026 me.

1) Is my life how I imagined it would be?

2013

When I was child/teen, I really never had a good idea of what my life might look like. Oh, there were always things I wanted to try and do, but I never thought, “gee, I hope my life turns out this specific way.” In fact, I always envied my fellow classmates who had dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher, and wanted two kids or three kids and live in Charlotte, NC or NYC, etc. My thoughts were more like, “gee, I like writing” or “gee, I really want to go to college.” But no ideas on specific goals or the like.

But since I never had a concrete picture in my head of what my life should look like, I’m always pleasantly surprised when I look back at all the things I have been able to do. I like to think that by not committing to one specific picture of what my life should be, I’ve allowed myself more opportunities to experience life and adventure.

2026

Thirteen years later and I’m still pleasantly surprised. I’ve had a pretty cool life and an interesting career. I’ve met some amazing people, traveled around the world, and done some pretty neat things.

I’m also still writing, so then again, maybe life turned out how I did imagine.

2) Do I collect anything?

2013

Yep. Souvenir magnets, quotes, and coins.

2026

I stopped collecting magnets a long while ago as my fridge was full. Quotes, I still have the original collection but I haven’t added to it in forever. I do still collect coin but not avidly. Mostly, it’s the small, leftover coins from the various countries I’ve visited.

What I collect now are memories. I decided I have too much stuff, so I focus on creating, and therefore collecting, memories.

3) Favorite dessert?

2013

My first choice is the dark chocolate almond raspberry disc from the Chocolate Fetish in Asheville, North Carolina. They make the bestest treats.

My second choice, as of this past Saturday, is coconut ice cream from Gunther’s Ice Cream in Sacramento. Too yummy and really delicious with chocolate ice cream. It’s like the ice cream version of a mounds bar.

2026

Wow, so I haven’t had a Chocolate Fetish chocolate in ages (mostly because I have lived far away from North Carolina for a long time), But my go-to dessert is always dark chocolate. And I still do love coconut ice cream. I get it at the local gelato shop all the time.

4) What is my signature style?

2013

Ideally, jeans, a tee and flip flops with minimal to no make-up and a wash and go haircut. That’s my style—casual and easy. And that combo is what you’ll see me in most outside of the office.

2026

I still do minimal to no make-up and wash-and-go hair. And my style is still more casual and easy, although now I tend to skew to linen pants with a tank with sandals.

5) What is my biggest struggle in life?

2013

Ah, this is an easy one. Eating healthy. I hate to cook and love “easy” dinners, which means I eat out too much. I’m really trying to work on this.

2026

HA! I still hate to cook and I’ve given up trying to learn to love it. While I still eat out too much, I do try to eat healthy-ish. I found it’s easier to eat healthy in Italy with all the fresh foods.

6) Something that I really want to do before my next birthday?

2013

Since I’m new to California, I really want to go to Muir Woods, to see the beautiful redwoods, and Yosemite, to see the giant sequoias. Since my birthday is still five months away, there’s a very good chance I’ll check these places off the list before then.

2026

Happily, I can report that I did visit both Muir Woods and Yosemite and saw the beautiful redwoods.

I still try to do what my beloved mentor and friend Patty inspired—to do one new thing or try one new thing every year. For 2025, I got my motorcycle license. In 2026, I’ve been marking countries off my travel bucket list. For 2027, I want to learn to surf or scuba dive.

How does your previous self’s answers compare to your now self? Share one of your then and now answers in the comments.

* 2013 answers have been edited for space.

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