Inspired by Sheila’s letters to her former self, I would also like to share some of my life lessons – particularly, what I’ve learned from the 20 years of mistakes I made, which left me with a self-induced curved spine.

In the midst of doomscrolling and diagnoses, I wonder if my past self has any words of encouragement for my present self.

Today is 4th of July, a day in which I almost feel a patriotic obligation to spend as I did throughout my white-picket-fence childhood. Yet, I am flying solo today.