I have always been fascinated by Improvisation on stage. Impressed by those who do stand-up and play with the moment, trusting that whatever comes that they will be able to not only face it but somehow find the humour and create a new space in which the old rules break. It is interesting to me that improvisation in theatre is always associated with humour. I think this is down to moving outside of ‘normal’ social boundaries; which makes them visible – and shows that they can be pretty ridiculous once you see them.

Rules of Life: #1 There is no take 2.

If you are anything like me, there are memories that make you want to curl up inside yourself and vanish. Things that I hold as monumental screw-ups, or ‘if only’s’. If I had a fraction of the understanding of life I have now when I was 18… Those thoughts arise unbidden and sometimes I have a moment where inside I curl up in shame.

Rules of Life: #2 There are no rehearsals.

It happens as it happens. No one can tell you what happens next. Life happens. You respond. That’s it.

Rules of Life: #3 There is no script.

You can fool yourself that there is a way that things should be and try and navigate life from there. It might work. It is a lot of work. And if the script does not cover the circumstances and emotions of the moment – then what?

The only rule that matters – It is all Improv.

What if the first time you knew what you were going to say was after you had said it – if you were as surprised as the person you were speaking with about what came out of your mouth – or what you did next. What if whatever happened (within a suitably safe context) you could trust that it was going to be okay? How would this change your life?

What if you kept saying ‘yes!’ (or even hell yes!) to what is next?

What would you take on?

What would you leave behind?

What would you create?

It is 2023. You have fewer heartbeats and breaths left than a day ago.

Make them count.

And – action!