Think back to a time when you thought you had a pretty good idea of how you wanted your life to be. Maybe you were 16 when you had it all figured out; maybe you were 12. Maybe, for you, it was even a little younger than that, or a little older. It is certainly possible that at different ages you had it all "figured out" in different ways. So here's your first chance to avoid over-thinking. Don't try to come up with the "right" age, the "perfect" age. Just think back to a time when you thought you had a pretty good idea of how you wanted your life to be.
When you have an age in mind, create a scene for this younger you. What were your favorite things to wear? What kind of music would you have been listening to? Would your room have smelled like incense (or something else)? Or do you see yourself somewhere else? Try to imagine yourself, at the age you've chosen, in a setting that makes sense to you, and try to give all of your senses something to play with.
Then imagine you, as you are now, entering the scene. Introduce yourself to your younger you. Make whatever small talk comes to you, and then ask the question: so ... how do you think I've done with your life?
Remember ... don't over-think this. If a feeling comes up, listen to it. If words -- whether they surprise you or not -- go with them. Don't question your younger you's responses, just pay attention to them. Ask questions, but don't challenge or defend.
It's good to make some kind of record. Write the "conversation" down in a journal, if that works for you. Record yourself narrating the encounter, if that's easier. And -- once more -- don't over-think this. Be playful. Be curious. If you like, think of this as a kind of lucid dream, and see what you might learn from it.
Pax tecum,
RevWik
