Hello my friends! And welcome to another installment of Trans Joy Thursday*, where I forget the days of the week, only to realize I missed Thursday entirely. My sincerest apologies! With that being said, Onward!

This week is my long week at work (I work a 2,2,3 schedule - while that does mean I have my entire year planned out work-wise, every other week is a "long week to work" and those are exhausting.) This means, very little time to play, BUT it does mean that I have to create pockets of joy in the downtime.

I have diagnosed inattentive ADHD, so I tend to hyperfocus on one thing, or several things, at a time, lose interest, move on to the next, times infinite. I have been currently working on a personal curriculum for the rest of this year and for all of next year - I attempted to make one for this year, but it was TOO MUCH. So, for next year, I narrowed it down to easier themes and broke down the books to read by chapters for each day when applicable. I will share more if you are interested (let me know in the comments), but creating this, as a lifelong learner, has definitely brought me massive amounts of trans joy this week!

I have also secured our Beyond The Rainbow chats with Dr. Kiki Fehling AND Anita Kelly for next month! I am so incredibly stoked for these two chats. Catch the flyers on socials soon, and here for the zoom info!

ALSO, in relation to my own trans joy - my wife began her LAST FIRST day of nursing school Monday! She graduates in December, already has a job lined up, and is just cruising right along. To say I'm beyond proud is an understatement!

In other, therapeutically aligned news, this is my first week without therapy (grief or regular) since my Memaw passed in June. (Not by choice, it just happened that way - I will resume next week). And honestly? For the most part? I'm okay. I'm doing it. I'm focusing on what needs to be done around the house and for work, distracting myself with books, and doing all the self-care I can.

One big shout-out that I missed yesterday - it was National Latina* Day! I hope all of you who are Latinx always feel supported, welcomed, included and loved in not only this space, but every room you walk into. You are deserving and worthy of celebrating. Never forget that.

Before I wrap up, if you are a paid subscriber I have exclusive news dropping NEXT Thursday (8/27) that you will not want to miss. Stay tuned.

I will leave you all with my favorite quote to round the week as we head into the weekend:

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that's all." - Oscar Wilde

My wish, and hope, for all of you, is that you truly live this weekend - in the hustle and bustle of every day life, may you take a small moment and spend it in gratitude - however that looks for you.

See you Sunday for Trans History Month, Volume 3.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole