I'm working on this too!
I'm also working on using "they/them" when I'm referring to someone I don't have explicit pronouns for, rather than assuming she/her or he/him based on first name & presentation. I'm finding that one awkward sometimes, but mostly in a good way.
I'm also working on using "they/them" when I'm referring to someone I don't have explicit pronouns for, rather than assuming she/her or he/him based on first name & presentation. I'm finding that one awkward sometimes, but mostly in a good way.
Another one on my list. I often use "ridiculous" instead.
Another thing I've been working on when addressing an audience (like in a conference talk). Instead of "Good morning ladies & gentlemen" I've been going for "Good morning everyone" or "Good morning [conference name]"
This stuff doesn't take up a huge amount of my brainspace, and when I do pull it off, I get to feel secretly happy. And it gets easier over time. "Guys" was the first one I tried to get rid of, and at this point it's almost completely gone from my instinctive vocabulary.
The others are not quite at that stage yet. "Crazy" is maybe two-thirds gone; "ladies & gentlemen" maybe half; not assuming pronouns is the newest and least instinctive right now.
When I mess up any of these, I either correct it low-key ("what do you guys, er, folks think?") or if I don't catch it right away, I just make a mental note & move on. I don't like making a big deal out of the correction (i.e., no "guys, er, folks! I'm not supposed to say guys!")
