I've been very weary about making this PSA of sorts, but I am too exhausted by life as it is to not be honest about who I am and what I believe in, y'know? And I know, I know that I've always been very particular about vocalising certain elements of my faith and where I am in terms of my spirituality because I believe it is such a personal thing that doesn't need a public opinion on it, BUT I've changed my mind. My head is so much clearer and my heart so much softer, and I am genuinely content with the person I've become and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this has only been possible by the grace of my Lord.

In keeping with my theme of gratitude and reflection during this month, I have accumulated 24 lessons to share before I turn 24. I hope that they will be as insightful to you as they have been for me (in hindsight anyway).

I come from a home of slammed doors, clenched jaws, tight fists, and bated breath. I have spent a near 23 years waiting for the muted rage that runs through all of our veins to settle and yet, here we are, still slamming knuckles against the wall.

I have told myself, before anyone else could, that my face in its natural state is not enough. I've told myself that my nose is too big, my cheeks too plump, my eyes too small, but most importantly, that my face will only look better when it's not my face.

This book, in all its basic glory, is about all the what-ifs and all the different ways life can manifest based on the actions of a single moment. In short, it is a small representation of both the horror and the beauty of all the lives unlived.