As soon as I am legally able to, I am changing my name from Dmytro to Dima. "Dmytro" is basically a document-only name. Growing up, it was only ever used by strict teachers. Everyone else has called me Dima since birth. But now, this legal name essentially functions as a deadname that follows me everywhere. It is completely unpronounceable and unreadable for most people I interact with. The resulting typos in emails and chats are endless - I regularly get addressed as Dymi, Demi, Dymo, or Dema because people have no idea how to spell my actual name based on the legal one. It is exhausting to constantly explain the mechanics of Slavic name shortening, and having to reassure colleagues that no, calling me Dima is not rude or overly informal. It just creates an unnecessary daily social tax and constant friction. #LifeUpdates #NameChange #EverydayStruggles #Fediverse #Blog #Thoughts