More than a decade ago, a reader accused me of being materialistic after I wrote about my lack of a favorite number. The reader specifically criticized me for saying that when it comes to my salary, my favorite number is the largest number possible.

After properly refuting his charges of materialism, I acknowledged that I had plenty of other shortcomings and offered to list them to appease my angry reader. Then I did. Then I added to the list when friends suggested I had forgotten a few.

Nice friends. Huh?

So began an annual tradition of posting my list of shortcomings and flaws, which started in 2011 (the list had only ten items that year) and has continued for the past 15 years, including this year.

Every year, I review the list for possible additions and deletions, and I also allow my friends to suggest even more items to be added.

I tried to remove these three from the list this year, thinking I’d made significant progress in these areas, but Elysha said no. The three I attempted to remove were the following:

It is hard for me to empathize with adults with difficulties I do not understand or would’ve avoided entirely.I have difficulty putting myself in another person’s shoes. Rather than attempting to understand the person, I envision myself within their context and point out what I would’ve done instead.I am exceptionally hard on myself when I fail to reach a goal or meet a deadline that I consider reasonable.

Elysha feels like I’ve made significant growth in all three areas, but not enough to remove any of them.

She also added a new one:

I engage in too much negative self-talk in front of our children.

This surprised me since I am relentless in my positive self-talk, but she is correct:

When I think I’ve done something stupid, I call myself out, and this can happen in front of our kids, which isn’t always great.

So okay… something ew to work on.

I also wonder about the veracity of a couple of flaws from previous years:

For example:

“I do many things for the sake of spite.”

It’s true that I do this, but my desire for spite has driven me when someone tells me I can’t accomplish a goal, take on a challenge, or scale the next mountain. When I was told I couldn’t publish a book before the age of 40 or win 50 Moth StorySLAMS, I worked spitefully and relentlessly to prove those naysayers wrong.

Is spite so bad?

Or this one:

“I think less of people who are unwilling to sacrifice sleep or violate a comfort zone to experience something new or potentially memorable.”

Maybe I should think a little less of people who are trapped in the safe routines of their lives. Perhaps my disdain and occasional ridicule encouraged them to strive for improvement, take more risks, and explore the world more thoroughly.

I’m not sure, but for now, they remain on the list.

And so, I offer you, yet again:

Matthew Dicks’s List of Shortcomings and Flaws – 2025

1. I have a limited, albeit expanding palate (though I’d like to stress that my limited palate is not by choice).

2. It is hard for me to empathize with adults who suffer from difficulties I don’t understand or would’ve avoided entirely.

3. I have difficulty putting myself in another person’s shoes. Rather than attempting to understand the person, I envision myself within their context and point out what I would’ve done instead.

4. I do many things for the sake of spite.

5. I become angry and petulant when told what to wear.

6. Bees kill me dead.

7. I become sullen and inconsolable when the New England Patriots lose a football game they should’ve won.

8. I lack adequate empathy for adults who are not resourceful or are easily overwhelmed.

9. I cannot make the simplest of household or automobile repairs.

10. I eat ice cream too quickly.

11. I am uncomfortable and ineffective at haggling for a better price.

12. I am exceptionally hard on myself when I fail to reach a goal or meet a deadline that strikes me as reasonable.

13. I drink too much Diet Coke.

14. My dislike for ineffective, inefficient, or poorly planned meetings makes me unproductive, inattentive, and obstructionist.

15. Disorganization and clutter negatively impact my mood, particularly when I cannot control the clutter myself.

16. I am overly critical of my fellow storytellers, applying my own rules and standards to their performances.

17. I lack patience when it comes to assisting people with technology.

18. I don’t spend enough time with my best friend.

19. I have a difficult time respecting or celebrating someone’s accomplishments if economic privilege, nepotism, or legacy assisted in their success in any way.

20. I believe there are some right and wrong ways of parenting.

21. I love saying, “I told you so” so freaking much.

22. I am far too confrontational in moments when it would be safer and wiser to avoid the confrontation entirely.

23. Rule followers annoy me.

24. I think less of people who are unwilling to sacrifice sleep or violate a comfort zone to experience something new or potentially memorable.

25. I wrongfully assume that a person’s job performance can be assessed by their ability to speak publicly while performing that job.

26. I can’t hit a drive more than 200 yards, and my average is a paltry 160 yards.

27. I’m exceptionally susceptible to my children’s guilt trips.

28. I am deeply uncomfortable quoting a fair market price for my services and expertise.

29. I engage in too much negative self-talk, particularly in front of our children.