And just like that, 2021 came to a close. It lasted 365 days and was just like any other year (not counting those weird leap years), yet the crossing of the threshold from 31st December to 1st January somehow seems extra special. It is usually a time of reflection; of achievements attained and of things yet to be done. A time of stock taking and planning for the future. A moment for realignment of goals (if this was left neglected over the year). 

I would consider 2021 to be a fantastic year for Isabelle. Despite the pandemic, I checked off a number of bucket list items as Isabelle. Felt like it was done really long ago, but I went for the bridal photoshoot as Isabelle at the start of 2021. I was interviewed as Isabelle by the local media network Must Share News as part of their "Ask Me Anything" series. I wrote more on this blog than I had ever done which helped the blog reach the first page of google if you search for the correct terms. And both my makeup and personal photography skills to take photos as Isabelle have improved significantly. To think that I only starting using makeup and came out to my wife in 2019. Not to sound like I'm stroking my own ego, but I have improved massively as compared to when I first started out. 

With such a great run for Isabelle, it does make me wonder; what more lies ahead for her? What would the next achievement over the next 365 days in 2022 be? My bucket list feels a lot fuzzier than it did before and I don't know what the future holds for Isabelle. Sure, there's still a lot of things that I have yet to do (such as rocking a NYE's party in a sequin dress that I don't even own right now), but I strangely feel a weariness when I crossdress, definitely due in part to energy-sapping work/life stress from my male self spilling over and affecting my desire to dress. The excitement of crossdressing also isn't as intense as it once was given that the amount of preparatory work required to do so often seems not worth the effort (growing out a 1.5 week beard and moustache and spending 1 hour to pluck our the hairs individually is a damn chore). Despite knowing that social media is bad for mental health, I still follow beautiful people for inspiration, but am also reminded of my fleeting youth, financial obligations that doesn't allow for extravagant spending (on gowns, yes), and inability to reveal my female side to more people. 

But it is the natural course of crossdressers. And one should always stay hopeful for beautiful moments and unexpected achievements that lay ahead. The year just started and with the pandemic waning (hopefully), there is much to look forward to. So to my most ardent readers, thank you for reading my blog, stay beautiful, cheers to 2022 and to the great times that lay ahead 😁