Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Women's Health
Letter from the editor
No matter our chromosomal makeup, we all age. And we all (hopefully) reflect on that process. It’s the healthy thing to do, really.
In thinking about this Women’s Health Guide, we figured we’d ponder what we would tell our younger selves. We also asked for you to do the same.
One response with near across-theboard agreement: Wear sunscreen. The Coppertone SPF 4 — — of my youth laughs at Future Me. You know what, it has a right to.
Reader Dorothy Michalski, a graduate of Wilkinsburg High, absolutely supports the sunscreen advisory, but she’s not just concerned with our largest organ. “Brush your teeth regularly and floss them, too,” the Grove City, Ohio, resident told younger Dorothy, via Facebook.
In addition to slathering up with SPF, Katherine Miketa Ruiz pointed her past self toward self-love: “You’re not fat.”
Diane Johnson’s directive was two words: “Be brave!!”
Moon Township native Hollie Babik, now living in Weirton, W.V., had several more: “To always trust your gut. It always knows something is off way before your head & heart do.”
Jess Howard, who is “brandspankin’ new” to Pittsburgh, emailed a lovely full list (sunscreen, check), including, “Find a mentor or even several and show them gratitude.” And more guidance for building strength: “Push back at those little voices telling you you’re not worthy.”
Our contributors offer their timetraveling thoughts to their Mini-Mes above, so I can no longer sink into the comfort of diversion. My turn. I’d tell younger Polly that, “No, there’s no manual to life that everyone but you got. But you’ll figure it out.”
Figuring it out has often meant reading. I hope you enjoy the words that follow, and that they help Present You in some way.
Cheers,