I was always proud of being tough-minded, and I think I still am, but in my old age I've got a little softer in the head, and that's all right.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
When I was a kid, I thought it was tough.
I tried to be really tough when I was younger. I felt I had to stand up for myself. I never felt like I fit in.
Growing up, when I was younger, I didn't feel all that tough or smart or strong. As I got older, I was able to discover my own strength.
I think it comes from far away inside me, to be strong to survive everything that comes my way. I think, going back to the beginning, feeling like an alien in an English school when I was eight, that set up my pride very early on. I think I'm very defensive, but I'm trying not to be like that anymore.
When I was young, I was just about hard work. But as I got older, I did experience anxiety, doubt, judgment, and it's so easy to lose yourself for a second.
The older I've got, the easier I've found it to accept myself. I think I've finally learnt not to beat myself up so much.
I still have a young attitude.
I come from a family who prided themselves, both sides, on memory. And I was told growing up, constantly, that I was born with a really good memory.
I have some pride in the things I've done, but I'm pretty hard on myself. Part of looking at my old work is to motivate me to try harder.
I always stayed in tune with my own ambitions and attitudes and I'm still my intractable old self, for better or worse.