Lotte's Main Highlights:Key Moments from Recent Weeks

Where did January go? It feels like it passed in the blink of an eye. I’m already starting to think this year will be much quieter than the last. There are no makeovers or photo shoots planned, and no more piercings or tattoos either, though I’m considering another feminine tattoo at some point, just not in the immediate future.

For now, I’m quietly putting money aside for some electrolysis sessions on my face and may start looking into places for that around mid-year. I’d love to get my chest done too, but I’m going to try waxing first and see how it goes.

Sadly, I haven’t heard back from the woman I reached out to about the nano brow procedure after my initial consultation. But perhaps that’s a blessing in disguise. The procedure seems like a pretty drastic step, and there's always the risk of ending up with semi-permanent brows I don’t like, or brows that stand out like sore thumbs. Maybe it’s a safer bet to just stick to waxing and use an eyebrow pencil on the days I dress.

My application for the Introduction to Makeup Artistry course I’m interested in doing was submitted just before Christmas, and I’ve since received an email letting me know I’ll be contacted closer to enrolment time. Since I provided evidence that I meet the entry requirements, I’ve been told I’ll be given an earlier enrolment slot. So, hopefully, by September, I’ll be enrolled in the course.  

SOUL SEARCHING WITH THE HELP OF AI

When I was putting together my recent blog post about soul searching with the help of AI, I anticipated that it might spark some cautionary comments. Perhaps the title was a bit misleading, or maybe 'soul searching' wasn’t quite the right phrase. The intention behind the post wasn’t to suggest that ChatGPT could replace a therapist; rather, it was to ask questions and explore the responses. I wanted to see what insights it might offer when it comes to deeply personal issues, like my own gender incongruence and dysphoria.

I’d like to think I’m neither naive nor gullible enough to treat ChatGPT’s answers as absolute truths. But I do believe that, when approached thoughtfully, the responses can provide useful perspectives and help me gain a deeper understanding of my own feelings and experiences.

FINDING TIME TO DRESS MORE

I can count on one hand the number of times I dressed in 2025. After a tough dysphoria episode over Christmas, even my wife agreed that I should get more organised and set aside one evening a week as Lotte time. She suggested either Friday or Saturday evening. I think that will help me immensely, so I’m currently putting together some outfits for the upcoming weeks.

She also suggested I do a wardrobe clear-out and try to make the balance of male to female clothing healthier. She thinks I have way too many women’s clothes, but that’s a bit of a contentious issue for me, I’d much rather have more female clothing than male. In fact, I’d prefer to have all female clothing, but I know that’s just not possible right now.

FLUFFY JUMPERS

Not satisfied with the pink jumpers I bought recently, I spotted another pink one at Morrisons the other day that I thought would pair perfectly with those skinny jeans and my All Saints boots, so I went ahead and bought it.

The white fluffy jumper I ordered from Vinted arrived, and while it’s nice, I was hoping for something a bit longer, as it feels a little short. So, I hopped back on Vinted and found another one that’s slightly longer. Once it arrives, I’m hoping to wear it next weekend.

BRACELETS

I've been squirrelling away things for Lotte's wardrobe for years now and I'm always looking for new things to add.  My latest additions are some bracelets.  I've got quite a few nice bracelets already but I really liked the following so decided to add them to my collection:

PIERCINGS UPDATE

 

My nipple piercings have healed really well, and thanks to my sports vest, I’ve had no issues while running. Nipple chafing is officially a thing of the past. However, my navel piercing has been a different story. Despite my consistent daily cleaning routine, it seemed to be taking forever to heal and remained red and irritated. Upon closer inspection, I noticed it was migrating. So, last Friday, I made the decision to remove the jewellery. At this point, I’m not sure I’ll be getting another navel piercing. This is the second one I’ve had, and both have been rejected by my body. I do miss it already but I don't have the constant worry of catching it on something now.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Getting back into running after the festive break was tough, and flu-like symptoms kept me from hitting the gym much in January. I managed just three 10km runs throughout the month. But my running mojo is back now, and I’m feeling optimistic about February. My goal for this month is to hit around 130km.

I’ll admit that in January, I slipped back into eating crisps again, not excessively, but still more than I should have. I’ve also been snacking on Peperami sticks, which aren't great since they’re ultra-processed meat and high in fat and salt, so I’ll be cutting those out now. I’ve been keeping my bread intake to a minimum, and when I do have it, I usually choose sourdough over white bread.

We’re still sticking to salads and soups for evening meals during the week, so with regular exercise, I’m hoping to lose some weight over the next few months.

HAIR UPDATE

There are moments when I look in the mirror and feel really happy with how my hair is progressing. Some days, it falls just right, and I actually like the way it looks. But more often than not, I’m frustrated by my reflection. My hair feels light-years away from the style I want, and more often than not, I see a middle-aged man staring back at me, no longer sporting the short, neat hairstyle I've had for most of my life. 

That said, I’ve been here before, and I know that growing my hair out is a test of patience and perseverance. It’s definitely a long game. I love showers now, though, because when I wash my hair, I can really feel how much longer it’s getting.

It's the end goal that keeps me going, knowing that, eventually, maybe I’ll achieve the style I’ve been craving. Having long hair already feels right; it makes me feel more authentic. I just need to push through this awkward phase, and then find a stylist who can help me shape it into the look I’m dreaming of.

SOME MORE PERFUMES

If you remember from my last Key Moments from Recent Weeks post, I mentioned picking up some perfumes from Lidl on the recommendation of my sister. Well, I went back on Saturday and grabbed three more! This time, I picked up Suddenly Femelle, which fans say is reminiscent of Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle; Suddenly Chalou, a scent similar to Chloe’s Eau de Parfum for Her; and Suddenly Rebile, which is said to rival Yves Saint Laurent’s Libre.

I honestly can’t choose a favourite from these three, they’re all gorgeous scents, and at less than £6 a bottle, I’m happy to have them in my collection!

PAINTED NAILS IN PUBLIC UPDATE

I’ve received a few more compliments on my nails this past week, all from women at my workplace. One woman, who was waiting for the kettle to boil with me in the kitchen, said, 'I like your nails,' to which I replied, 'Thank you.' Another commented that my nails were really beautiful, and a third, a younger woman, noticed them as I handed her some equipment and told me she really liked them. That brings my total to six compliments since I started wearing nail polish in public!

 

Nails after 4 weeks growth

 

 

The gel polish held up really well this time, four whole weeks with not a single chip. It was a bit of a shame to have them redone this past Saturday, but they were getting pretty long, and there was quite a bit of bare nail starting to show at the base.

It cost me £30 in total, which included removing the old gel polish, plus I gave the woman who did them a £5 tip. That works out to £8.75 a week, which feels completely worth it for the happiness and contentment it brings me. 

Freshly done nails

I genuinely enjoy going to get my nails done now. The staff are incredibly friendly, and I always feel relaxed and comfortable in the beauty salon. Since they also offer hair services downstairs, I’m hoping that as my hair grows, I’ll be able to get it trimmed and styled there as well. Maybe one of the stylists can work with me to achieve the style I’ve been craving.

Thanks for reading,

Lotte x