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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Michelle Law

My mother repeated one idiom throughout my life: ‘you want beauty, you don’t want life’

Michelle Law with her mother Jenny Phang in 2001. Law says her mother was horrified that she would buy into the allure of being ‘trendy’
Michelle Law with her mother Jenny Phang in 2001. Law says her mother was horrified that she would buy into the allure of being ‘trendy’ Photograph: Michelle Law

In news that will delight my enemies, I believe there’s a chance I’ll die young and by accidental means. To clarify, I’m currently in excellent health (sorry to my enemies), but I’m sensing a spectacular midlife crisis on the horizon that could spell the end.

Maybe it’ll be an overdose in a seedy nightclub. Maybe I’ll drink myself into oblivion. Maybe I’ll get kicked in the head during an orgy. Whatever it is, it’ll be the result of a botched attempt at compensating for a lifetime of being the world’s most risk averse, law-abiding scaredy cat who is terrified of physical danger.

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