Another year...

As we hurtle towards year end and the start of another lap, then I thought I'd take a look back now at the last 12 months and did it meet expectations.

At the end of 2023 I wrote

" I want to measure my success in 12 months by asking myself did I do all I could. If the answer is yes then I'll be happy"

I think I can tick that box. I went in some respects beyond what I ever thought I could achieve. That has always been the most surprising thought about my transition....it really has opened up my mind to what I can achieve.

Has it all been a bed of roses? Nope so let's get some of the negatives out of the way...

It's been quite a lonely year. Still single and still feels as far away from any form of romance as ever. This has caused me a lot of self reflection. I've been out and about more than ever and my personal confidence generally is higher than ever but ....I can't put my finger on why nothing has happened. Do I exude a hostile personality that makes me seem unapproachable? Can my new found confidence send the wrong impression? 

This remains a conundrum I intend to get to the bottom of. In the meantime I'm just going to carry on going out and about largely flying solo but I'm very much getting used to that now. Feel free to tag along, but don't cramp my style too much 😉.

The kids are still estranged. Again brain has been wracked to think what I did wrong but things were strained well before even I knew I was going to transition. As much as it is easy to claim that my transition is the cause, I dearly hope it isn't as the inference would be the problem is based in bigotry. Sadly I'd hoped against this but as Spock once said 

"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

I'll reserve final judgment until I'm certain but my spider senses are very much pushing me sadly in this direction. Hopefully 2025 can prove me wrong.

On the brighter side, my involvement in my community goes from strength to strength both personally and in terms of my profile.

I ticked off 11 pride's. 9 in the UK and 2 internationally. I learned so much about my community and all the variance within. I've met so many amazing people.

Personal highlights include opening Warrington and Liverpool Prides. I've found a hidden confidence microphone in hand. Presenting an award was also an amazing experience.

Over on linkedin I've nearly hit 800 followers and one post over there has over 10k impressions. Add in a little political appointment and I really feel my profile in my community is on the ascendency.

I can see that in the coming year I'll be focusing a lot on improving my standing even further so feel free to pop over to LinkedIn and tag along.

I've really enjoyed travelling this year and whilst my reach on social media such as my YouTube channel isn't exactly setting the world alight, I enter 25 equipped literally in a better position to improve that offering. 

I'll be tripping across Europe and hopefully further afield this next year and focusing a bit more on the LGBTQ community where I am as opposed to just doing a travelog.

I've found a new focus this last year and whilst there are still gaps to fill, I think at the end of 25, I'll want those gaps that I can control to be filled. 

Finally whilst I am coming up to 5 years living as myself, there are still bits where I feel incomplete and have been reluctant to release. 2025 will I hope be a year of total release.

So did I break my expectations for 2024. Oh yes....I think I smashed it....but that is now driving me on to do even more....I hope you continue to join me on this amazing journey!

I wish you all therefore an amazing year ahead.

Amanda xx 💖