Finlay Games

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Today’s blog is an old-school personal update/ramble. I am not doing well at all at the moment. Wait, scrap that, let us be more accurate. I am doing fine. Life is good, I am loving living back in Devon. Our new flat is wonderful. I love my fiancé Chris with all my heart, he is my best friend, and we have so much laughter together. I have incredible friends. My self-employment journey is progressing well, and I’m beginning to earn more money. I’m working with more clients and giving more public talks. My newly published book is doing well. My life is full and rich with lots of exciting opportunities. I am doing very well indeed.

What isn’t doing well to be more precise, is my mental health. And this is the thing about mental illness. Life can be perfect in every way, but still, our mental health can take a turn for the worse.

Learning to Share Achievements | Getting Out Of My Own Way

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In Career and Study

man with arms out celebrating his acheievements

Why does it always feel awkward to blow our own trumpets? I have been recently nominated, for the LGBT+ Positive Role Model award in the National Diversity Awards. This is an incredible honor and achievement; I am extremely proud. However, I have been finding it hard to post publicly about it. Every time I do, I feel embarrassed. Why is this? Why am I embarrassed about sharing my accomplishment and pride?

Announcing My Book Launch | Top to Bottom – A Memoir and Personal Guide Through Phalloplasty

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In Career and Study

Picture of the book top to bottom a memoir and personal guide through phalloplasty by Finlay Games

One minute it was months away, and now my memoir, Top to Bottom, is published and in the world for folks to read! I am still in a state of very happy shock! In this blog, I will give you all the details you need, about book events, where you can get signed books, and how you can access virtual signing events too. Exciting!

You can find out more about my Memoir, ‘Top to Bottom’ here.

The Ultimate Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty Book List for Trans People Exploring Lower Surgery

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A pile of books with a cactus pot plant and a cricket ball on top. Text overlay reads, the ultimate lower surgery book list finlay games

Personal accounts are invaluable for trans people working through lower surgery decisions. I have put together a metoidioplasty and phalloplasty book list, to help with this. When I started to explore transgender lower surgery options, the shortage of information was a huge obstacle. I could find medical accounts of phalloplasty and metoidioplasty, but there were very few subjective experiences of either of them.

The following list contains the books I have found so far which provide personal accounts of phalloplasty and metoidioplasty. Some of these books focus solely on lower surgery, others mention lower surgery as part of a broader memoir. However, all of them are useful. They all give a much-needed honest and personal account of these incredible life-changing surgical options.

How To Take a Duvet Day And Not Feel Guilty

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Man in bed having a duvet day reading a book

I make no apologies for the fact that one of my top wellness tools is to allow myself a duvet day. Living with chronic mental and physical health challenges is exhausting. Having a quiet day, to do nothing but gentle self-care helps me to stay well.

Duvet days don’t have to be just for those with health conditions. In a world that demands constant productivity, taking a day for yourself is vital for everyone. Duvet days in this way, are not lazy days off, they are time-out days for purposeful intent. Here are some ideas on what to do on a duvet day and how to use it in ways that serve you best.

4 Diverse Trans Stories By Transgender People

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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