Six words

mother and daughter

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In my early days of blogging, I was challenged to take part in a meme where you summarized your memoirs in only six words. Here’s what I came up with:

Her mother’s daughter; her own woman.

I was very excited when someone from SMITH Magazine, who have since published a series of Six Word Memoir books, asked me to post mine to their website. I’d forgotten all about it until recently, when I watched a TED video which was about six-word summaries of a different sort.

It makes me wonder what else we could say in six words: the synopsis of a movie or book, summary of a current event, an elevator pitch?

Why not share your own six-word summary below?

Casual Photo of Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay

I eliminate stress for my clients by hosting, monitoring, and maintaining their WordPress sites so they don’t have to worry about security, downtime or performance issues. When I’m away from my desk, I enjoy reading, photography, cooking, watching movies, drinking tea, and spending time with my family.

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22 Comments

  1. Susan Terkanian on May 3, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    To help others know they matter

  2. Seana Turner on December 21, 2020 at 8:25 am

    Aww, I love both the sentence and the photo! You look like your Mom I think:) Wow, hard to say what mine is. Willing to try, tries to smile. How about that?

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks, Seana! I do indeed look like my Mom.

      Your sentence is great too!

  3. Diane N Quintana on December 21, 2020 at 8:43 am

    I agree with Seana – the picture and sentence are wonderful! Mine is: constantly working to be a better me.

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Ooh, I like that, Diane! Thanks for your kind words.

  4. Linda Samuels on December 21, 2020 at 9:53 am

    WOW! What a concept, and one I never heard of before. The concept that this reminds me of is writing a haiku, which has a prescriptive formula for creating a poem. I loved the TedTalk. What a mind he has to calculate and measure ideas in such a manner.

    The challenge you offered- six words to describe your life? Phew! I don’t know. This is what bubbled up:

    Open heart, creative mind, full life.

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      I’m always happy to introduce you to new ideas! I really like the six words that you came up with – they fit you to a T.

  5. Janet Schiesl on December 21, 2020 at 10:00 am

    I’d have to think of this. I like yours but not sure where to start.

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

  6. Ronni Eisenberg on December 21, 2020 at 11:23 am

    This never gets old, Janet!

    Family, heart, creativity is my substance.

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Very nice – and an interesting overlap with Linda’s!

  7. Sabrina Quairoli on December 21, 2020 at 11:44 am

    It’s always been so hard for me to express myself in a few words. I did a workshop a few years ago, and they wanted us to create a “one line” message that would help others know what we do. I created this one: I take busy out of business. It was actually 8 words, and I reduced it for this post. =)

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      Hey, that’s a really good one! Because when it comes down to it, people don’t care what we do; they only care what it means for them!

  8. Julie Bestry on December 21, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    I just want a taco truck.

    OK, seriously, though: In word and deed, aim high.

    And you really look like your mom! Super-wattage smiles!

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      Julie, I am impressed that you can express yourself so succinctly (no offense!).

      I had to scroll back and look at the photo again, because I never thought of my Mom being a super smiley person. I wish I remembered what we were talking about, to make us both smile like that. I wish I still had that body too, but we all know that’s not going to happen.

  9. LISA GESSERT on December 21, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Oh Janet ..loved the picture and love the idea of having six words, I will need to noodle on this!! Love this!!!

    • Janet Barclay on December 22, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      I bet you can come up with something really special.

  10. Neena on December 22, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    Find time for what you love.

  11. Lucy Kelly on December 22, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    Love that happy photo, Janet. Here’s my six words: Love what you’re doing right now.

    • Janet Barclay on December 23, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      I love this! It’s actually the way I’ve been living (mostly) for the last 2-3 weeks. Whatever I’m doing is my favourite thing. Kind of like a dog!

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