Questions About the Past

Everyone carries stories that explain why they are the way they are. These cards invite you to talk about turning points, mistakes, lucky breaks and the people who made a difference.

Good for: Anyone who wants to know a person better, including the ones you think you already know.

Play 80 cards

Tips for playing

Ask for details: Where were you, and who was there?
Share a memory of your own once the other person has answered.
Pair it with the Childhood deck.

Depth: lightLight questions

Easy to start with. Good for warming up.

What's your happiest childhood memory?
Which moment would you love to live again?
What's the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
Who was your best friend as a kid?
What's your most embarrassing memory?
What did you dream of as a kid?
What's the best gift you've ever received?
What's the first thing you remember being really proud of?
What's something silly you did as a teenager?
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
What's something you used to be afraid of?
What's your best vacation memory?
Who was your role model as a kid?
What memory still makes you laugh?
What's your favorite holiday memory?
What from your teenage years do you wish you could still buy?
What's your best birthday memory?
What did you spend your first paycheck on?
Which haircut do you wish you had never had?
What was your favorite TV show as a teenager?
What song did you play on repeat in high school?
What contest or competition did you enter that you'd rather forget?
Which teacher do you remember best, and why?
What did your first cell phone look like?
Which place you've lived do you miss?
What's the most fun party you've ever been to?
Which fashion trend from your youth do you hope comes back?
What was the first concert you went to?
Which book did you read again and again when you were young?

Depth: mediumA bit more personal

For when the conversation is flowing.

What would you tell your younger self?
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
What are you most proud of achieving?
What's the bravest thing you've ever done?
Which book or movie changed the way you see things?
Which teacher or mentor meant the most to you?
What do you miss most about the past?
When have you felt truly proud?
Who have you lost touch with that you miss?
What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?
Which period of your life would you live again?
What's the most unexpected thing that has happened to you?
What do you wish you had done differently in school?
Who was your first love?
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
What's the best compliment you've ever been given?
What would surprise your younger self about you today?
When have you been at your bravest?
Which coincidence ended up mattering a lot in your life?
Who was your best friend as a teenager, and what happened between you?
What have you changed about yourself since you were 20?
When were you last really embarrassed, and what did you learn from it?
Which age has been your best so far?
At 15, what did you think you would become?
Which trip shaped you the most?
Who taught you something important without knowing it?
What have you done that you were sure you'd never do?

Depth: deepDeep questions

Take your time. These are the ones people remember.

Which decision has shaped your life the most?
What's the most important lesson life has taught you?
Is there anything you regret?
Which challenge made you stronger?
When did you last feel completely free?
What has shaped your values the most?
What did you believe as a kid that you no longer believe?
What's something you learned the hard way?
What's the biggest mistake you've learned from?
What was a turning point in your life?
What's the biggest challenge you've overcome?
What would you do differently if you could?
Who helped you through a hard time, and do they know it?
What's a secret from your past?
What's the hardest decision you've ever made?
What's something that changed you to the core?
Which loss has taught you the most about life?
What would you say to yourself on the day you were at your lowest?
What apology have you never received, and what would it mean to you?
When did you change the most in a short time?
What from your past are you finally done with?
Which choice are you still unsure about?
Who from your past would you like to tell how things turned out for you?
What have you carried for a long time that it's time to put down?

80 cards in this deck.