If the polite email from my hosting company asking to update their records is anything to go by, then it's been a year since I adopted my new name.

2019 was an awfully rough year for me, the first few months were taken up by constant worry, stress and major dips of depression (which came back later in the year). It wasn't until this time last year I decided to live (my private life at least) as Rachel. I'd had thoughts about transitioning for a few years prior, but never followed through on them as I had either just started university, just started a new job or just started university (again). The truth is, whenever someone calls me/I call myself Rachel, I just feel a lot happier.

If you're wondering why I chose Rachel, given that my dead name is androgynous anyway, then the only explanation I can possibly give was that it was the first name that I came across that just sounded right. Sure I had a shortlist, but none of the other names on that list really resonated with me... That's why I chose to call myself Rachel.

A year later and now when I'm signing up for things on the internet, or when I go shopping on Amazon, I proudly use my new name and it feels great!

Rachel x