Diary Update:

Upon receiving my first paycheck with my new name on it, I felt an incredible sense of freedom and confidence. It was a tangible reminder that my transition was real, and that I was making progress towards living a more authentic life.

For so long, my old name had felt like a weight that I carried with me wherever I went. It was a constant reminder of the gender I was assigned at birth, and of the expectations that society had placed upon me. But with my new name, I felt a sense of liberation and empowerment.

Seeing my new name on my paycheck was a small but significant moment in my journey. It was a reminder that every step towards living authentically is worth celebrating, no matter how small. And it was a reaffirmation that I was on the right path, even when the road ahead felt uncertain or daunting.