This week’s Pen Your Past™ prompt — a gentle way to write what matters, one prompt at a time.
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Why This Might Be Worth Writing About
We don’t always notice the moment we stop doing something we love.
Maybe it faded slowly.
Maybe life just got full.
But those early joys?
They still hold pieces of us.
This prompt isn’t about going backward — it’s about making space for something you once loved. Writing about it might uncover strengths you didn’t realize were there, help you understand what you value now, or simply remind you that your past still has something to say.
If You’re Not Sure Where to Begin…
What’s something you used to love doing — and when did it stop?
Why did you love it? Why did you let it go?
What did it teach you, back then?
Would it feel good to bring it back in some small way today?
🖋 You don’t need to write your whole story — just one scene, one memory, one small truth.
My Life, One Story at a Time
When I was a girl, roller skating felt like magic. We didn’t have smooth sidewalks or fancy parks — our road was unpaved, so I’d practice in circles on our little patio. I loved pretending I was in the Olympics or starring in my own show. With my Dorothy Hamill haircut already locked in, I figured mastering her spins was all I needed.
On weekends, my mom would drop us off at the roller rink next to the bowling alley. We’d stay for hours — skating, laughing, goofing around. It was our version of pure, unadulterated fun. No cell phones, no TikTok — just music, fluorescent lights, and polished floors.
I had my son young, which meant I never really stopped being silly. We’d dance, laugh, do all the goofy things together — and I loved that. But about 11 years ago, I decided to lace up my skates again and give it another shot.
Big mistake.
I couldn’t even let go of the wall. My body just wouldn’t cooperate. The confidence I had as a kid? Gone. I was stiff, wobbly, and totally terrified. That was the last time I tried skating.
These days, fun looks a little different. I blast music in my house and sing like nobody’s watching — or, more often, in the car with the volume way too loud. Becoming a Swiftie in midlife wasn’t something I expected, but it’s been the best kind of surprise. Car-karaoke is my new roller rink, and it’s just as freeing.
I may not skate anymore, but I haven’t stopped chasing joy. These days, it shows up in catching bugs, swinging in the backyard, or giggling with my grandkids over nothing at all.
✍🏼 Share Your Prompted Story
👉🏼 You’re welcome to share your story here. From time to time, I feature reader stories in my newsletter.
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✨ See You Next Week
I’ll be back next week with a new prompt — just one small invitation to help you keep writing what matters.
If this memory brought something up for you, I’d love to hear it.
You can share in the comments or email me directly — either way, I’d be honored to read it.
With love,
Kari
