Taking Your Husband’s Name is Embarrassing. I Did it Anyway

glamour.com:

,” I replied. She nodded, and started my application. As she took my information, she giggled. “You sure you don’t want to change your first name?” she said.

It wasn’t the worst idea—I was never wild about being a Karen even before being a Karen became the worst thing you could be—but I replied, “Not today.” When it came time to sign the paperwork confirming my new last name, I realized I didn’t have a signature anymore.

I tried to do something squiggly. Then I needed a new photo, which, for some reason, also came as a surprise to me. I had no makeup on, just 50 extra pounds of what we’ll generously call “baby weight.” I smiled.A few minutes later, I left the DMV with my new temporary license, having walked in Karen Moore, and walked out Karen Kicak.

Suddenly, this all seemed like a great way to give yourself an identity crisis at 36. But the voice I still hear that holds the most judgment about changing my name is my younger self.