I can’t put things off until an old age I probably won’t have. Accepting that has brought me joy | Michelle Brasier

My dad died of cancer, then my brother, and there's a high chance I'll get it too. It's taught me to stop hesitating - and live my life in full colour

In recent years, I have realised how excellent life can be when I stop putting things off. So many perfect todays are usurped by the promise of more time tomorrow", when you're old enough", when we have more money". There is never a guarantee of more time, but we always have now.

Learning to use my time with purpose has been bittersweet. It wasn't exactly a choice - it comes from knowing that my old age is not guaranteed. But the perspective it has offered me has been worth the pain.

Michelle Brasier will perform Average Bear at the Soho theatre in London from Mon 6 to Sat 11 Mar 2023