I’ve been trawling through vast tracts of depression and fingernail-vibrating anxiety, and this is one joy that I’ve seen every day when I look in the mirror. The older I get, the more beautiful I find myself, andΒ I’m only 27. I am often afraid of the world, but when I look forward to how much more awesome I will be as I age I feel braver.

And if it’s your birthday today, or in the next six months or so, or the last six months maybe, many happy returns!