Welp, it's my birthday. Level 34. I'll probably write something more thoughtful about it later but for right now I mostly just wish I had a cute girlfriend to cuddle and smooch this morning. Instead I have to get out of my warm bed and go work, or whatever. yawn

What a year. A year ago I hadn't come out to my work yet. I was still in denial about wanting to be a buff muscle tomboy.

In the last year I hired a trainer and started lifting weights. I've started learning woodworking and done a bunch of work building my garage into a workshop. I've learned a bunch about leatherworking and sewing too. I discovered the Fediverse and all the lovely folks here. I went out for the first time in technically-women's clothing, went out for the first time in a dress, went out with breast forms on, went out with painted nails and lipstick, all for the first time. I've gone clothes shopping for womens' clothes both online and in-person and even gone to a Victoria's Secret store for a fitting (they had nothing that fit me, which is a recurring theme in my life now). I've had makeup done professionally. I marched in the Pride Parade and went to trans-rights protests. Seen several friends change pronouns. Had my ears pierced and my first tattoo. I've discovered who I think I want to be and started taking steps in that direction.

I've injured my knee twice, got COVID, seen a friend go through a mental health crisis that she still hasn't fully recovered from. My parents have separated. I've had more experience talking to people who were having suicidal thoughts than I ever thought I would, one of whom was my mother. Been traumatized by the medical system. Started seeing a therapist again.

It's been quite a year.

Here's to quite another year!

@quietbrooke god this is the sort of thing I wish I could write on my birthday :p

happy birthday Brooke, and here's to the next :)