In the last few weeks, I was tagged several times on social media to share five little known facts about me, and I decided an Instagram story wasn’t going to cut it. Here are a few insider tid-bits all about me, Sarah Caton.
1. I used to have my nose pierced. TBH – I loved it. I only took it out because the piercing was healing poorly and had lots of scar tissue. I didn’t get it pierced until shortly after my 22nd birthday meaning I had to interview for all my post-grad jobs with it in. I got hired, nose ring and all, in an awesome university position. If you know me, I’m pretty low-key and unadventurous, so actually going through with getting my nose pierced was a pretty wild thing for me to do. I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again, or get any other piercings or tattoos, because I don’t like to invite unnecessary pain into my life!
2. I’m fascinated by personality tests. I love taking online quizzes on any site from Buzzfeed to Psychology Today, and am always intrigued by personality and IQ tests. Whether we’re learning about leadership styles or what type of dessert I should order at dinner, count me in. I think personality assessments are awesome conversation starters, and help people warm up to the idea of talking about themselves and their own strengths. I also believe that people sometimes construct their lives and events around personality test results, especially those taken in more formal settings like school or work. In the True Colors assessment, widely used by HR departments, I’m a Green through and through, with just a touch of Orange. I also wrote about how tests like the Myers-Briggs can change quite a bit here – like how I shifted from an extrovert to an introvert in post-grad life.
3. I’ve almost entirely given up alcohol and caffeine. I’ve never been one for coffee – I tend to like mochas, heavy on the chocolate. I also don’t crave soda in any capacity, although a Mexican Coke can definitely hit the spot. I was somewhat forced to cut back on alcohol and caffeine due to some medications I’ve taken for rheumatoid arthritis and for migraines. Thankfully, the decision was easy because neither ever played a big role in my life. I do miss bourbon pretty frequently, but I’m no fan of beer or other spirits. I drink water almost exclusively, with a rare Arnold Palmer (half sweet tea, half lemonade). Since giving them up, I do feel like I’ve noticed a shift in my energy levels (for the better) and it’s pretty great to never experience caffeine headaches or hangovers!
4. I have WEIRD taste in TV and movies. Touchy feeling rom-com? No, thanks. I’m the first one to scan the horror section of Netflix. Some of my favorite movies include Saw I-VII, The Strangers, The Purge, VHS, and Blair Witch Project. I do tend to prefer TV shows over movies primarily because I have a hard time focusing for two straight hours and end up scrolling through my phone and missing details. When it comes to television, we don’t pay for cable, so I’m pretty reliant on Netflix and Hulu. My current go-to list includes Intervention, Live PD, The People v OJ Simpson, Slasher, and Leah Remini: Scientology & The Aftermath. Basically, I love true crime and docuseries about bizarre people or events.
5. I have a crazy good memory for faces and dreams. I’m always that creepy person who remembers people I had a one-time exchange with in a line for coffee years back. I’ve realized this trait is mostly perceived as weird instead of flattering, so I don’t share it too often. It definitely does come in handy in the blogging and professional world when I’m able to remember a personal detail which can set me apart from other potential hires. Because I remember them start to finish, I get so excited to reflect on and discuss my dreams when I wake up everyday. I dream, vividly, almost every night and I think it’s so interesting to explore themes and symbols that occur in dreams. When I was 10, I got a book for Christmas all about the meaning of various dreams and I’ve been hooked on studying them ever since. I usually dream in English, but have regular dreams in Spanish (I’m fluent). One of my freakiest, most recurring dreams? I’m trying to graduate high school, but found out I’m a few credits short because I’ve been skipping choir. LMAO. Sometimes, I legitimately have to wake up and remind myself that, yes, I have my diploma because I did, in fact, graduate.
