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Yes, it is hard to start going by your middle name. Been there, done that 2.5 years ago, and it is a pain in the butt. I was (and still am) 100% committed, which I think really helped- I've wanted to switch since I was a little girl, and I don't regret doing it for a second. But it's definitely not easy. You have to be ready to explain over and over why you switched. You have to be consistent and keep reminding people...I let it slide with a couple of family members and now they just can't call me that. You have to let people know you are serious and won't change your mind in a couple of months. You have to realise it'll be hardest for people who have known you longest, and to not get mad at them if they slip up. You have to be prepared for people to just flat out refuse to even try, and decide before hand how you want to deal with that. My step father and step siblings just flat out refuse. So I ignore them when they call me by my old name. I don't mind when people slip up, but them doing it intentionally just bugs me. And I haven't changed legally, so for everything official I still have to use my first name.

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So yeah, it can be done. It's not easy. You have to be 100% sure thats what you want to do. Have you changed your name legally yet? If not, I would go with Anastasia Leah Elizabeth if I was you. Going by your middle name is a lot of hassel and requires constant explanation...if you can avoid it, I would. I plan to switch mine legally when I move back to Aus.

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Good luck.