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Changed my name today and feel good about it :)

Jamie

I have been considering changing my surname for a long time now but having found out i'm autistic in December it felt like the right time to do it. 

So the Deed Poll document was signed this morning and i took it to the post office this afternoon and i'm just waiting for my legal copies to arrive. 

As i've not known i was autistic for 35 years it feels like (finally) i'm starting to understand myself better and what my strengths and weaknesses are. 

I'm thinking about writing a book too in the future (amongst other things) so it will be nice to have my new name on that.

Anyway, thought i would share this news here because i don't know where else to share it! Slight smile

  • in reply to Jamie

    Its a crazy realisation isn't it. The tough part I'm finding is being myself more with the people closest to me, my partner is sort of like 'why haven't you been able to be yourself for so long' (16 years with her) ...it's hard to explain, it isn't you or my family, it's the constraints society imposes which are expectant, universally accepted, and a mainstream 'normal' way to be.

    One incredible book just out, by the legend that is Rick Ruben is called The Creative Act: A Way Of Being. Really profoundly gentle and open. Exactl who many of us want to be.

    He talks about it here:

    https://youtu.be/YS299z6ahsk

  • in reply to Alice-nice-Alice

    Thank you Cloud. It definitely feels empowering, and also exciting. Wow 5 books! Respect! Slight smile

  • in reply to Tina

    Thank you Vroooom Slight smile It is very exciting! Today will be spent writing letters to inform people of my name change 

  • in reply to JT

    Thanks Slight smile I'm definitely on a journey of discovery and i'm only at the very beginning really. I read the book 'Taking Off The Mask' last week and found it very helpful. I realize i've never been my true self all this time

  • Well done you. Itโ€™s a really beautiful and empowering thing to do, I did it years ago, both fore and family name, and it truly is good. 

    And definitely write and publish. I have five books published and it is a delight. 

  • Congratulations Jamie. A name change is an exciting start of a brand new chapter of your life. Best of luck mate.

  • Well done. You're on a journey of discovery by the sounds of it.

    I changed my name in 2020, then got diagnosed in 2022. So on a similar path.

    Feel more like myself everyday. As you take off the mask, remember to be kind to yourself, it's a big process to undertake and opening up new cerebral pathways is tiring so move slowly Thumbsup

  • in reply to Jamie

    I'm glad to hear both of those things.  See u around.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Thank you kindly Slight smile I've found everyone here very pleasant, friendly and helpful so i'll be around here for a while i think 

  • Greetings Jamie.  It sounds like you have embarked on a new and exciting part of your life's journey.  Thanks for sharing with us here.  I look forward to communing with you more soon.

    Happy "New Name Day" !

  • Very happy for you! 

  • in reply to HP35

    Thanks! Slight smile I agree the deed poll process is very straightforward or has been for me so far. Informing everyone who needs to know is the more difficult part i think 

  • in reply to Caelus

    Yes very true Caelus. It's complicated and i won't bore you with all the details but disowning of the family name is part of my motivation for doing it. Finding out i'm autistic is like the catalyst though 

  • a change of surname usually means a dramatic story behind it for the reason considering that is like a disowning of the family name. a pretty big thing to do, a serious step.

  • in reply to Shardovan

    Thank you Shardovan much appreciated! Slight smile

  • Congratulations! I changed my name recently to the name I've been going by since birth, but which I've never been allowed to use officially because it doesn't appear first on my birth certificate. It's amazing how easy it is with a deed poll. Organisations that have spent 35 years refusing point blank to call me anything other than the first name on my birth certificate are happy to change it now I have a bit of paper I printed off the internet! I never even enrolled it.

  • Congratulations on your new chapter and new name. Wishing you happy times and places where we you use it