The HB Liminal Times editor recently came across this kinda profound psychological test.

The results are a bit stilted, and aimed at a pretty specific demographic.

But the exercise is illuminating nonetheless, and serves as a kind of  omni-directional introspection. A Rorshach 2.0, or a Meyers-Briggs personality test — video edition, if you will. However you word it, it underscores the narrative we tell ourselves.

It begins with a simple question: What do you say to yourself? How would you characterize your shortcomings? What emotions do you lament? What habits do you have that you consider loathsome?

Now look at a photo of your 8-year-old self. What would you say to yourself then? Would those criticisms still apply? Would the assessment change?

The video includes only female respondents — and seems aimed at prospective customers of self-help books, therapy, programs, etc. I’d love to see if men respond differently than women, and, if so, how so.

Regardless, it’s a terrific exercise in how we view ourselves, as it seems inevitable that the cost analysis of how we value our own stock will be modulated by it. I was surprised by the severity of the self-reviews in the video. The editor who found it was not.

But here’s what I’d say to my 8-year-old self:

• You will face things that, on paper, are pretty scary. Sometimes they will seem unmanageable. They are only scary on paper, and there’s nothing that cannot be managed.
• You will be loved in ways you cannot imagine.
• You will still have fun, even as a grown-up, with toys. They’ll just cost more. But never stop playing with them.
• And don’t be so embarrassed by your first name. One day, you’ll wish you used “Guy” more often, even though kids will tease you for the way teachers pronounce your name: “Gee, Scott Bowles.”