If you could tell your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Eat all the pomegranates, sushi and grapefruit you can. Enjoy the charcuterie board that's been sitting out in the sun a little longer than it should have. Never lose your curiosity or optimism - it will serve you well. Oh, and kiss that one boy sooner.

Twenty-two-year-old me would have nodded at whatever advice you gave her and then completely ignored it, so I'm not entirely sure how useful the exercise is, but if I had to pick something, it would be around not deferring so much, not treating other people's version of what's reasonable as automatically the correct one. I spent a lot of time in my early twenties just going along with how situations were framed, whether that was work or just ordinary day-to-day stuff, telling myself it was fine, it wasn't a big deal, I'd sort it out later when it felt more pressing. And later always turns up eventually, usually at a point where you've been quietly absorbing something for so long that pushing back feels like starting a fight rather than just saying a thing.

I don't know if I'd have actually done anything differently even with the advice, maybe I'm wrong about that. But I think younger me would have needed to feel it first before she believed it, which is kind of the whole problem with hindsight as a concept. 💙

As a young woman, I took chances, dare to do things differently. I love family, friends and colleagues. Experienced living in several states and so glad I took those International trips,.

Life was wonderful, then lupus wolf took my joy away. It became hard and lonely. Struggling in ways I never imagined. Faced with obstacles including finding good healthcare care. This was certainly not what I though would become of my life..

Then I take a few moments and remember all the fabulous things that I have done, stop complaining!!! Now I focus on helping others thru words, experience and advocacy.

Living and loving is so worthwhile! Even though life can be tough, it can also be good. Take care of your health as best you can, guard your heart, believe in a Higher Power, and in yourself. Not everyone is going to care for you, that is fine. Those that do, whom you care for, will be enough. And remember, what the others think of you is none of your business!