The peace of the Sabbath, of a stopped world, a time outside time, was palpable, infused everything, and I found myself drenched with a wistfulness, something akin to nostalgia, wondering what if: What if A and B and C had been different? What sort of person might I have been? What sort of a life might I have lived?

I would have thought more about exercise and a healthy lifestyle in my 20s, 30s and 40s.

I would have been better with money.

I would have spent more time with my parents. I did see them often, but you don’t realise how much you’ll miss someone or something until it’s gone.

I have very poor time management. I am often running late, I procrastinate a lot.

I don’t embarrass easily: I’m kinda shameless.

I’ve learned to accept everything. Part of enjoying life is releasing those disappointments.

“You’re never going to make it.” It was some guy I was dating. I had the last laugh.

Compare and despair. Comparing yourself with someone else or what someone else is doing or what someone else has is a recipe for sadness. What matters is who you are and what you want.

Getting to challenge the status quo by being myself, just existing openly and honestly and boldly on a public level. It hasn’t always been easy, and it came with its fair set of challenges and sacrifices, and I am proud of that.