The Proust Questionnarie
Answering deep questions cos why not?
The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature.
I saw another Substack writer do this, and I really wanted to do it. I also believe these answers will change over time as I grow, evolve, and change. So I plan to come back to this article every year and update the data if my answer has changed, or say it’s the same if it hasn’t.
Without further ado, here are the questions and my answers as of June 2026.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2026: All the money I want to buy all the things I want.
What is your greatest fear?
2026: Not living to my full potential. Not doing all the things I want to achieve and accomplish because I didn’t try. I didn’t start.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
2026: Dragging my feet. I never just start doing the things I want to do.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
2026: Dishonesty. Don’t lie to me. Or yourself, but mostly me.
Which living person do you most admire?
2026: Dimma Umeh. She’s a content creator and I relate to her so much, she loves reading like moi. I admire her go-getter spirit. She’s always trying to improve her craft.
What is your greatest extravagance?
2026: Jewelry. I can spend my last cash on it. I love them so much.
What is your current state of mind?
2026: There is work to be done. I don’t know if this actually answers the question but I realised that there is so much work to do to become the person I want to be. To create the life I want to live.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
2026: Talent/Beauty. Talent because every talent dies if it’s not properly managed. Beauty because it’s so frustrating when all you get is on the backs of fine face. It brings into question your ability and capability.
On what occasion do you lie?
2026: I rarely lie these days. God has saved me from myself. But I think it’s when I want to irritate/annoy/irk someone. Basically jokes/sarcasm. Inversely, I also lie when I don’t want to irritate/annoy/irk someone. Like if I know that the situation will piss you off, I try to spare you the anger.
Deep answer: when I find my perception being threatened. If I don’t want you to think I’m lazy because I haven’t done as I promised, I lie. So I’m viewed favourably.
If I find myself lying too much to one person to maintain my ideal form in their eyes. I start to distance myself because I hate lying to people. The fact that I’m lying is an indication of a bigger problem, e.g. I don’t feel comfortable with you.
When I have to be vulnerable, and I don’t want to. How are you? I’m fine when I know I’m not fine.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
2026: I dislike all the bumps and spots on my face. I want smooth skin! Is that too much to ask for?!
Which living person do you most despise?
2026: Nobody. Can’t waste my energy despising people, abeg. Too much work to be done.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
2026: Solution provider. If I tell you about a problem now, you have twenty different potential solutions.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
2026: Empathy. EQ is so underrated.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
2026: At the end of the day. By the way.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
2026: God.
When and where were you happiest?
2026: When there is plenty of money in my account, I can buy all the jewellery, clothes, and eat what I want without worrying about cost.
Which talent would you most like to have?
2026: Painting. I recreate my imagination with words, but it would be so cool if I could just paint a picture and capture everything.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
2026: Aversion to risk. I wish I took risks more boldly.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
2026: I’ve started pursuing all the things I want to do seriously. I’m showing up in my content and writing. Putting in effort, putting myself out there.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
2026: Nepo baby and spend that generational wealth.
Where would you most like to live?
2026: Abuja. I just think it’s very peaceful and serene. I’m tired of Lagos and its gra gra energy
What is your most treasured possession?
2026: Abstract: my faith in God, my dreams of the future, and my imagination.
Physical: my phone and all my other devices. My physical library, all the books I spent money investing in. Jewellery pieces.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
2026: Constantly being disappointed with yourself.
What is your favorite occupation?
2026: Content creators telling other people to post their content. Women supporting women. Artists and creatives living a full life.
What is your most marked characteristic?
2026: Creativity. Especially with writing and how I describe things.
What do you most value in your friends?
2026: Forthrightness. I need to be honest with you without censoring myself, and I need to know you will do the same.
Who are your favorite writers?
2026: This list is based on authors whose books I can’t stop thinking about.
Fayo Kola. (Yes, I’m on the list of my favourite writers. I'm always thinking about my books so I fit the selection criteria.)
Christian Romance: Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Susan May Warren, Carolyn Miller, Margaret Daley, Rebecca Nightsong, Becky Wade, Beth K. Vogt, Joanne Bischof, Ronnie Kendig, Irene Hannon, Valerie Comer.
Clean Romance: Courtney Walsh, Carina Taylor, Emma St. Clair, Mimi Matthews.
Romance: Nora Roberts, Ali Hazelwood, Cathy Yardley.
Wattpad: Keri Lee Muller, Author Cassidy Kate, Laura Bell, Sarah Jones.
Literary: William Shakespeare, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, Nnedi Okorafor, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Chigozie Obioma, Karen King-Aribisala.
This is the short list, by the way lol.
Who is your hero of fiction?
2026: Obsessed with Olivia Benson of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Also Love Elsbeth because she’s so chaotically herself.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
2026: William Shakespeare. So many book ideas.
Who are your heroes in real life?
2026: Jesus. He saved my soul.
What are your favorite names?
2026: Oluwafayokemi: so rich and meaningful. Feels like a juicy, filling meal that I can bite my teeth into. Yes it’s my name but I love it. Guess I’m biased.
What is it that you most dislike?
2026: Being patronised, when people act condescendingly. Like I’m not a naïve dumb dumb so don’t treat me as such.
What is your greatest regret?
2026: That I didn’t pursue my dreams earlier. Starting a blog, content creation, podcasting, etc. I wish I had started immediately; the dream impressed itself on my heart. All the years wasted ‘planning’, justifing my dreams to myself. If you’re interested in anything just do it to the best of your abilities at the time. I know I will still do them eventually but…
How would you like to die?
2026: I won’t die. I’m a believer, so I will sleep. Believers don’t die. They sleep. But I also don’t believe I’ll see death. I’ll just go to heaven when Jesus returns.
What is your motto?
2026: If you don’t like something about your life, change it. Don’t sit there whining about how the thing sucks, about how you hate your life. Put the work in and change your life. You have the power. The power is in your hands.
After answering these questions, I need time to regroup. I’ll be the girl in the corner thinking about her life.
This was very interesting to read as your sister. I’m happy you are finally showing what you can do and move out of that self pity. Always articulate with your words and writing.
I believe you can do everything your heart sets on. I’m just wondering why I’m not in your list of best writers (lol I’m just joking). I think I should write mine down too. It was revealing for lac of better words to express how this writing made me feel