There is a lot of discussion going around on social media about gender identity at the moment, so I just wanted to share my (rather simple) thoughts here.

If I am honest, I do not totally understand it all yet and I’m still learning BUT actually, I don’t have to understand it. It actually doesn’t matter whether I understand it or not. It is still no reason to dismiss it.

Whoever they are, they are still a human being. Regardless of whether I understand or not, they know their own mind and their own body that only they can truly ‘know’. I would have no right to tell them anything different (and I wouldn’t).

It actually makes me think about how I was told in my younger years that my being gay was ‘just a phase’ or that ‘I hadn’t met the right girl yet’. No dear. Please don’t presume to know better about what I think or feel. Of course, it is not the same thing at all. But I feel a certain familiarity. I guess my point is, I really do not take kindly to other people telling me what I feel and know in my own self. For someone who does identify as non-binary, I imagine that they would feel the same?

You can’t just dismiss something because you don’t understand it or you disagree with it, not when it’s actually a persons life you are talking about. Of course, you are well within your rights to not educate yourself so that you might understand. That’s up to you. If you chose to remain close-minded and refuse to even try listening and learning it still doesn’t give you the right to claim that it is a myth or attention-seeking. 

Well of course my Top 9 pictures were all going to include Sophie. She really has been the story of our year. We started out 2018 having only found out we were going to be Dads 10 days earlier which was certainly the best Christmas present ever - a massive thanks to Lisa and her Family goes without saying.

Are you Non-White? If the answer is no, then do not presume to understand what it is like to experience the racism that they have suffered, to be treated as a second-class citizen by default and do not dismiss it like it doesn’t exist or ridicule it.

Are you Gay? If the answer is no, then do not presume to understand what it is like to experience the homophobia they have endured, to be victimised because of who you love and do not dismiss it like it doesn’t exist or ridicule it.

Are you a woman? If the answer is no, then do not presume to understand what it is like to experience the sexism they face every day, to be treated as inferior just because of your genitalia and do not dismiss it like it doesn’t exist or ridicule it.

Are you transgender? Have you ever even questioned your own gender? If the answer is no, then do not presume to understand what it is like to experience the transphobia they suffer, to feel trapped by the confines of their own body and do not dismiss it like it doesn’t exist or ridicule it.

Have you answered no to any or all of the above? Then stop wading in and passing your judgement on those experiences. Stop trivialising or making fun of something you know very little about because you have not experienced them. Stop denying that these issues exist because you couldn’t truly know what it is like unless you answered yes. Indeed, you may sympathise, but you will never truly know what it is like unless you answered yes.

If you answered no to any or all of the above, you enjoy a level of privilege. If you think something is a not a problem because it is not a problem to you personally, THAT is "privilege".

If you answered no to any or all of the above, you were born into a body that by default, for one or more reasons, is considered to be better. You are automatically handed a better deal. You didn’t ask for that, but you have it all the same. You will have experienced hardships in life no doubt, but you still have that privilege.

Hello all,

I just wanted to apologise for the lack of updates over the last week, namely on the journal side of things. Part 4 is finally written and is just being edited and tweaked ready for publishing. Unfortunately I was a little unwell last week and this part is probably the most mammoth piece I have written thus far. It took me a long time to make sure I have everything covered and get to the end of it but now it is almost there I can not wait to share it with you. The day it talks about really was incredible and I hope you all get a feel for that when it is published.

In the meantime I also wanted to tell you about another project or challenge that I have started after returning from California. As many of you know, I love Disney and have a lot of Disney T-shirts and clothes in general. Some of you may have already spotted it, but for those that have not, I have started a challenge over on my Instagram which I am calling #disney365.

The aim is to wear at least one different piece of Disney related clothing every day for a whole year! Of course, by clothing I am including everything that can be worn so that includes things like shoes and jewellery. I am now 9 days in (so still very early days) but please do come check it out. You can find it over HERE

That is pretty much everything for now. I promise Part 4 will be up with the next few days and I am also working on some other content and discussion pieces that I look forward to sharing with you in the near future.

We are back, everything is unpacked and the washing machine has been on for the majority of today.

Good morning all,

This is just a quick post to say that I am now pretty much in the land of 'holiday mode'. Things will be a little bit quiet from the blog for the next couple of weeks. I fly out to California tomorrow for a massive trip that has been booked since May 2016. First up, we are on an Adventures By Disney excursion trip called 'Backstage Magic' which then leads us nicely into the Official Disney Fan Club (D23) Convention which will then be followed by taking in some of the other nearby theme parks (and some more Disney).

It has already been pointed out by many that this may be our last BIG holiday for a few years so we intend to enjoy every second of it (and not get too distracted by Social Media). That said, I will probably be sharing the occasional instagram post. I hope to be able to put together a fuller trip report when we return but until then, enjoy the summer weather and I'll see you soon. :-)

Imagine what it would be like if every single person around the world simultaneously did something nice for someone else. Just imagine the impact that would have.

There isn't really a great deal I can say is there. Today has been horrible. My thoughts keep wandering back to all those Mums and Dads, Brothers and Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and friends. It is unbearable to think about what they are going through. To think of them waking up this morning without the little person who they thought was the greatest in the world. To think of those still waiting for some form of news.

My thoughts are with them all.

I did find a little hope in a post from Mummy Mumbles which I saw on social media. It reflects on how a parent can explain these atrocities to children. You can read it HERE and I recommend you do. It stands as a good reminder that for every one of these horrible, callous attackers, there are thousands of courageous people who will step up to the plate and do what they can. To me, that speaks volumes about real humanity.

Take care of one another xx

Firstly, TGIF!

Eeeeek, it has been eighteen months since my last post! I am not sure why it has been so long to be honest, although work does keep me busy...