Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

I believe that we’re shaped by who we are & our experience. It comes down to the environment & experience. If you grow up around toxic people you too can become toxic.

I grew up with alcoholism & abuse but decided in my 20’s to seek therapy. Trauma therapy. Showing me that both sex & alcohol can make trauma worse. So I cut out both for over a year. It’s something I don’t feel guilty about anymore but at the time people who didn’t understand what I was going through called me names & prude came up quite often.

To this I think it helped see red flags in my friendships & my relationships. Flags I’d ignore if it wasn’t for therapy. I no longer find highly drunk/high people interesting rather I feel sorry for them & their battle to stay sober.

I think we’re definitely formed by both the environment & experience you can choose a healthy path or a toxic one? However, if you’re toxic I don’t want your addiction or lack of respect & boundaries in my sphere. Because I’ve grown & people that don’t grow become stagnant & in the end toxic.

Are you a lifelong learner?

I believe I’m a lifelong learner because society & the world teaches us new things. If they’re good/bad they’re all life lessons.

By accepting this you also grow as a person. But if you fight it, well then you don’t learn. I worry about this with people fighting addiction, I mean the hard stuff, such as meth/heroin/cocaine. If it harms you Why continue? Because the sensation the drugs gives them is stronger than their ability to get help & stop.

It’s like a boy man spreading false rumors, it becomes a game of telephone & each time someone repeats it, it takes on another dimension. None of it is true but to the people that aren’t mature enough to see through it. So, whenever I hear something that’s outrageous I take a look at the person/people who said it.

If they’re not believable then I choose as a mature adult to not pass it on. That’s called being a grown up. If you spread it you may as well be in grade school & you lack maturity.

That’s why I believe in lifelong learning. By not listening to smack you show that you’re worthy of being called an adult. If you spread the smack you should expect a call from my attorney.

What’s one habit that has improved your life the most?

At the same time every night. Also, I was on some heavy duty sleeping pills I weaned myself off of. I cut down on screen time an hour before bed & put the phone on do not disturb.

I’ve cut down on eating sweets before I go to bed. I also try to spend as much time outdoors as I can. Although I still have health issues it helps.

Also, I’ve been sober now for 3 years & I don’t miss the headaches or the dehydration the day after. I had to stop due to a heart issue & the medication I’m taking. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I function better cognitively & feel more able to get stuff done when I go to bed at the same time every night.

Since we live in Norway I’ve cut down on my hotdog consumption, I hardly eat them anymore. If I get hungry & am on the way home, I wait until I get home & then I have protein & fiber for lunch.