A few weeks ago I filed paperwork to drop aspects of my birth name. I've been known by Heathervescent for 20 years, but I still clung to my birth name out of honoring my past. Right before the election, I decided I was done with that, and I took steps to simplify my name.
The day after the paperwork was filed, I started scrubbing the "Schlegel" from my profiles, signature files, bios. I still have to wait a few months for the judgement to come through - but I am not concerned. I have been Heather Vescent for 20 years and it's not going to change.
In the subsequent weeks since my filing, this subtle shift is more profound than I anticipated. The weight of my past, my history, that I had honored by keeping around, has been lifted. The constant question and confusion of Heather Vescent or Heather Schlegel? And what is the difference. Why go by dual names, questioning is now gone.
I look at my email signature and it looks so light, so precise, so exactly reflecting myself. I had no idea the energy I was using holding onto my family last name. I thought filing this piece of paperwork was the period on my identity, but perhaps it is just the prelude.
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