I won't bore you for much longer, honest, but I still have something that I want to write about following on from the last post. This week has made me think about what I need to do to make sure that I am strong enough, both mentally and emotionally, to navigate my way through my own issues and life.

I will always be there for my friends - yes, even those who are struggling but don't ask for help - as that is the kind of person I am. However, I can't let happen again, the culmination of situations that lead to my almost implosion last week. April drained me emotionally and mentally, meaning that I had nothing left for me when I needed it most.

My body is going through all sorts of physical and hormonal changes of which I am still getting to grips with. I need to be strong to be able to deal with the effects now and in the future. Basically, I have to look after myself and put myself first. Become more selfish. Say 'no' more. I have no idea what is going to happen, so I need to be ready for whatever comes my way. Mental health is a big issue in the transgender community, on top of everything else.

Please bear with me if I say no to going out more often or pass on things. I'm not going into complete hibernation or anything, but I need to regroup and refresh; recharge the emotional batteries. On the whole, I always have been mentally strong as I have had to be. I'm proud of the fact that I can usually pull myself out of my low periods, but each low eats into my reserves and currently, they are virtually empty. If a cycle is emerging, due to the hormone therapy, I have two weeks in which to replenish some of my reserves for the next low.

I always have to keep sight of the reason why I am going through all this. Being me. Being the true me. The positives will far outweigh the negatives - I just have to get through the negatives to realise my dream. My positives so far are: Hair growth being less coarse and slower; skin becoming softer; growth in the right places and generally feeling happier in my own skin. Looking in the mirror and seeing Danielle, seeing my true gender looking back at me and not the cold, dead, old me.

There is no way I would ever go back. However hard it may get, however rocky the road, this is me now. This is my happy. This is my life.