I managed to quit smoking 13 years ago after 17 years of it. That remains perhaps my biggest and proudest accomplishment.

Also, I’m reading through (and blogging about) journals I kept thru my late 20s…and it’s tiring to read over and over how depressed I am about my weight…money…and smoking…

At this moment in my life I have accomplished the smoking thing…and in the last 3 months I seem to finally have made progress on the weight and health thing.

The money thing still looms large…and while that is definitely my New Year’s resolution, I am perplexed how I’m going to do that at 46…in transition…and having been out of the workplace for about 7 years.

It’ll be challenging…but I agree with you that if we can face our gender issues, we (at least theoretically) should be able to attack anything with confidence.

I wish all of us luck and strength.

Matt, I also hope that you don’t give up on the smoking part. I’ve heard it said that quitting smoking is akin to quitting heroin…and I believe it. But it IS possible.

And I swear, it’s glorious on the other side.

Caroline xx