Realising that it has been two years since the Early Man premiere is realising that it's also been just over two years to the day that I decided to do something about my life.
As some of you might know, I spent the first half of the decade seriously ill, becoming almost reclusive as Crohns disease ravaged my body and the resulting depression overwhelmed my mind. I lost friends because I was so anxious about even going out in public or socialising.
I lost myself for a while. But facing my own mortality gave me a kick up the backside to engage more with the things I was passionate about. I’ve always been a bit of a geek about books, films and a few different fandoms. But I used to suppress that side of myself, worried about being laughed at. Looking back, I have no idea why. It wasn’t as if I was ever one of the ‘cool’ kids, anyway!
I've talked about this before, but I'll say it again. Tumblr saved my life. At my lowest point, at my weakest, I discovered a community online. I had a lot of time on my hands back then, being bedridden for extended periods of time after multiple surgeries and setbacks, and days spent in hospital. I couldn't sleep, and so, when I was wide awake at silly o'clock in the morning, I’d look on Tumblr, where there was always someone around - the people we fondly call our pocket friends. We might never have met in person, but we still refer to them as our ‘friend in [insert town or country]’ as if we have. And doing so gave me the confidence to no longer be embarrassed about the things that I liked.
But my resolution for 2018 (which was a pretty huge deal as someone who didn’t even make resolutions) was to do more. To push myself to get out and engage more with the things I was passionate about. The stepping off point was travelling to London for the Early Man premiere. It was a pretty last minute decision, and not guaranteed to even happen until I was sat on that train (if you have IBD, you’ll understand!) But it turned out to be a great way to start the year.
And who knew then what it would lead to? Later that same year I travelled alone to Chicago and met Tom for the first time (as well as the lovely Lee Pace) at my first overseas convention. But more than that, I also finally got to meet two of my Tumblr ‘pocket’ friends in person.
Since then, they’ve come to the UK to stay with me; I’ve met even more of my wonderful friends; i’ve got back into going to the theatre; and last year I finally realised my dream of attending San Diego Comic Con (and the madness that is Hall H on a Saturday!)
So I guess, really, all i’m trying to say is that it's never too late to start living your life the way YOU want to live it. I realise i’m fortunate in that I was able to afford (with a lot of saving up and sacrifices) to travel for my dreams. But it doesn’t have to cost money. And you don’t necessarily have to travel to do it.
But whatever your goals are? Be bold. Be adventurous. But most importantly? Be you! After all, you only get the one life. Make it memorable!