Hi everyone, I'm Adrienne from New Zealand! My advice - follow your dreams as soon as you can!

Hi, a friend told me about Steemit as I'm trying to build my business as a freelance writer so I thought I'd join. I've been writing for years in my job in communications and marketing, which never left me the energy for doing my own stuff. I was working for the public sector and it was just horrible - like the worse. Every day when I went into the office, my soul died a little more. My manager was a micro-managing bully and the office had all the charm of a Soviet Union-era housing complex.

We had a large earthquake last year, so the senior manangement decided to strip everything out of the offices - plants, pictures etc - leaving this souless space of white walls and open-plan desks, with everyone buried in headphones to try and escape from it. One day, I finally snapped, picked up my handbag and walked out. Now I've gone back to university to finish my Masters in film and media production. I'm broke as, but as I'm 53 it's now or never. It's taken me most of my life to get the courage to do what I really want to do but the the change in my mental health is staggering. I was having migraines at work that were so bad, I was passing out. Now I jump out of bed and can't wait to get the day underway. There is so much advice about what to do with your life out there, and my contribution to it is discover what you love and pursue it with all your heart, even if it seems impossible. Life goes by so fast, faster than you can ever imagine. I can't believe I'm in my fifties - I still feel I'm in my twenties. I wish I had been stronger earlier - had the courage to believe in myself more. Now, I'm running on double time and discovering the key to happiness is doing what brings you joy - not what others expect from you.
I really like this photo of me because I was goofing around with friends when I was in LA for my first visit to the US and I look so happy. I think all photos should have a seagull coming out of your head!