One of my bucket-list items before I graduated the MBA was to plan a storytelling event, inspired by the Impact Lab’s storytelling cafés and the 'bring your own story' dinners I attended in New York. The aim was to skip the small talk and make room for deeper conversations between old and new friends. As our attendees walked in, we randomly allocated each person to a table to mix up social circles.

We opened the event with seven volunteer storytellers, who shared experiences about the power of education, belonging, recovery, family, connections, and legacy (including my story). Then, using conversation prompt centrepieces at their tables, everyone told their own stories to their dinner group — across dating, adventure, awkward moments, and family strife.

I’ll end with a quote from my friend Princess, who shared a story about her late grandmother:

“Give your flowers to the people you love, before it’s too late.”