Finlay Games

On 03/11/2021

In LGBTQ+ Life

A pile of books of various colours. Text reads, 4 diverse trans stories by transgender people

Trans stories are far more diverse than those we often read in mainstream media. As transgender people, we come to discover ourselves as trans in a wide variety of ways. Then, the paths we choose in transitioning, are equally as varied. However, it is all too common to hear just one kind of transgender narrative, and not be aware of the huge diversity that exists within our community. In this blog post, I share four book recommendations* which help to highlight the wonderful diversity within our community.

5 Things I’ve Learned from My Phalloplasty Journey

On 03/04/2021

a cup of coffee sits on a wooden chopping board next to a note that says, enjoy the little things. Test reads, 5 lessons from phalloplasty

The phalloplasty journey is very much an epic adventure! Like every great adventure, it has taught many lessons and brought much personal growth. I have changed in many profound ways during my phalloplasty journey, and not just outwardly In the following blog post, I share the top 5 things I have learned about myself, and about my body, since having my phalloplasty surgery.

Tattooing Skin Graft Scars After Phalloplasty Surgery

On 02/25/2021

A tattooist mixing ink ready to tattoo a phalloplasty skin graft scar

Radial forearm phalloplasty leaves a rather large scar on the arm, which can be difficult to deal with. Tattooing skin graft scars is an option many transgender people choose, to help hide the scar. In this blog post, I will answer questions on tattooing skin graft scars, sharing advice from my own skin graft tattoo experience.

How to Create Mental Health Routines for Any Situation

On 02/18/2021

A journal open on a desk, next to a plate of food and a laptop. Text reads, ideas for creating mental health routines

Mental health routines are incredibly helpful in looking after our general wellbeing. Using daily mental health routines gives a sense of structure, and using routines to deal with specific events, can help us to have a sense of control. In this blog post, I discuss different types of routines and provide some suggestions to create your own routines for mental health.

How to Prepare for Phalloplasty | 5 Helpful Tips

On 02/11/2021

A stopwatch in the palm of a persons open hand. Test reads preparing for phalloplasty 5 helpful tips

If you are aiming to have phalloplasty surgery, it is a good idea to plan way ahead of time. There is an enormous amount of mental and physical upheaval involved in the phalloplasty journey. By planning ahead, you will be able to cope better with the surgery and look after yourself well in the recovery between stages. In this blog post, I share 5 helpful tips, on practical and emotional aspects, to prepare for phalloplasty.

How to Create an Anxiety Travel Kit

On 02/04/2021

A man is outside walking past a large white red cross sign. Text reads anxiety relief travel kit essentials

For those of us who live with anxiety, traveling anywhere can be incredibly difficult. Whether a short or long journey, the anxiety can be so great that it holds us back from going anywhere alone. Often, we cannot overcome anxiety, but we can find ways to manage it. One helpful way to manage anxiety is to create an anxiety travel kit.

Phalloplasty Timeline – Referral to Completion

On 01/28/2021

Rocket taking off from the ground into a blue sky

Phalloplasty is a complicated procedure taking many years to complete. Deciding to go ahead with the surgery was a difficult decision. However, it’s a decision that I am now very happy to have made. In this blog, I map out my phalloplasty timeline. Linking to key videos from my journey, this blog starts from my initial decision to have surgery, through to referral, the operative stages, and completion.

2020 My Personal Year in Review

On 01/21/2021

In Career and Study

A man looking out accross green hills. Test reads looking back on 2020 a personal review

A New Year tradition of mine is to share my personal review of the year gone by. I realize of course that 2020 was on the whole a pretty bad year. However, nothing in life is black and white, in every bad event there are positives to be found. I shared in a recent blog how we can find the positives, by using tools for reflection. In this blog, I want to share my own reflections and positives, my personal highlights of 2020. These are my most memorable moments, and my business and personal achievements from 2020.

Why You Should Start the New Year with Reflection not Resolution

On 01/07/2021

Happy new year sign. Text reads new year reflection not resolution, finlaygames.com

Happy New Year! New Year is a time where lots of us make resolutions. However, what often happens is that within a couple of months those New Year resolutions are forgotten. In this blog, I’m going to talk about why resolutions fail and why making time for New Year reflection, is a more productive way to start a year.

Coping With a COVID Winter | A Winter Mental health Plan

On 11/19/2020

A mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows sits on top of a book surrounded by autumn leaves. Text reads, how to cope with winter during the pandemic

For those of us who have mental health challenges, winter can often be a tough time. The cold, the grey days, and the lack of sunlight, in general, can play havoc with our mental health. Christmas approaching can often bring a lot of additional stress and pressure. And of course this year we have the coronavirus pandemic complicating this even further. In this blog, I will share some of the strategies and tools* I am using to survive the double hit of winter and the pandemic.

Phalloplasty Arm and Skin Graft Healing | 5 Years Post-op

On 11/13/2020