There was a time, perhaps not too long ago, when I would hesitate before wearing the dress I really wanted to wear.

The one with the bold print, the flower crown, or the bright lipstick that made me feel like a Disney heroine or a Broadway star. A time when I worked full-time in newsrooms, writing under tight deadlines, walking that careful balance between blending in and standing out. Back then, I often held back on being fully myself, worried that embracing the sparkle, the whimsy, the pop culture references stitched into the fabric of my soul might be “too much” for others.

But life has a way of changing you. Loss does too.

In the wake of losing loved ones, those who held space in my heart and whose absence left it a little emptier, such as my uncle, and even more recently my grandfather and mother-in-law, I’ve found unexpected strength. I realized I no longer wanted to wait to live life out loud. I wanted to celebrate me, every part of who I am, including the parts that once felt too big, too bold, or too different for the world around me. Because, life is to be lived, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. This is a phrase that is repeated to us many times, yet one that we tend to forget.

So, I began wearing crowns, yes, literal ones. Flower crowns. Glittering tiaras. Her Universe dresses inspired by Doctor Strange and other favorite characters. I dressed as Snow White during a recent press trip to Disney and didn’t think twice. I showed up to the Arsht Center dressed as a full-on flapper alongside my best friend Sharma for Chicago and Beetlejuice, and we lived every glittery moment like we had stepped straight out of the 1920s. I got those fun tattoos that I always wanted.

We turned heads, and we laughed about it, but most importantly, we felt alive because as we say, why not dress up? It’s so fun to find joy in shared experiences, such as a concert, theater show or Comic Con. And we did the same when we attended the Avril Lavigne show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. We had been planning our outfits for months and it was amazing to see them come to life.

Well, hello there, Aurora. That’s how I felt. It was truly nice to finally “see me.” I’ve found immense power in leaning into the things I love, in embracing fandom and cosplay not just as fun or fashion, but as a form of healing and self-expression.

Pop culture, be it Broadway, Disney, or comic books, has connected me with my students, colleagues, and even strangers who’ve now become friends. It’s allowed me to bridge generations, to talk to teens and 20-somethings about identity and creativity in a language we all understand. When I walk into my classroom or onto a university campus (currently teaching at Boca Raton High School, Florida Atlantic University and the University of Florida online), my students don’t just see a teacher, they see someone who is real. Who brings her whole self. Someone who has learned that it’s okay not to hide behind a title or certain norms of how “a woman of a certain age” must look like, dress like and act like.

And yes, mental health is still a journey. I’ve struggled. I’ve battled anxiety, depression, and rejection sensitivity.

But thanks to diagnosis, therapy, and the right treatment, including medication that truly works, I’ve found clarity. I’ve found balance. And I’ve found more joy. Dressing up and showing up as the characters that once inspired me now helps me inspire others. It makes the weight of the world a little lighter, the days a little brighter.

My close friend Sharma, a gifted photographer, has captured some of my favorite moments. Me standing in a Moana dress, a flower crown on my head, wind in my hair, looking more like myself than I ever did in my 20s or early 30s. Her lens has helped me see myself the way I want the world to see me: brave, creative, and free.

So, here’s my message to you: Wear the crown. Put on the cape. Drape yourself in joy, whether it’s a tutu, a tattoo, or a dress that makes you feel like royalty. Life is too short to dim your sparkle for the comfort of others.

If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the courage to be yourself is the most powerful costume of all. And once you embrace it, you'll never want to take it off.