Looking back on my life, there are many occasions when taking a different course of action would have led to much more beneficial outcomes, both professionally, personally and in relationships. I think I blundered through life, stumbling from one disaster to the next. I didn’t have any support from my family, and certainly no clear life plan. I thought with my emotions, I was a dreamer who couldn’t see the reality of a situation. I allowed people to take advantage of me, and was caught up in very negative relationships.

I wish I’d been taught Critical Thinking skills, because these would have taught me how to analyse situations, verify my sources, weigh up the evidence and decide on the best options. Older people are quick to judge young people, and tell them they need to learn thinking skills, but in my experience we all need to practice them, young or old.

I do think that I lacked courage. You need to be courageous to tackle injustice, to assert your opinion, to find your true path in life and be who you want to be. I think if I’d been braver and believed in myself, I could have achieved more. But this came from being brought up in a very strict family where I didn’t dare say boo to a goose. It made me very afraid of conflict and terrified of authority.

In the end, I don’t suppose I’d do much differently, because then I wouldn’t be me. So, sorry Dorothy, but this cowardly lion isn’t off to see the Wizard, he’s quite happy as he is.