'Ello from the UK!

[Mirrorcle]

Hey Everyone!

My name is Luke, I'm 20 and currently living in Japan for a year, but I shall be returning to the UK in September of this year!

Basically, I'm very new to all of this, and I'm not even sure if I'm Transgender or what, but all I do know is I really need some advice or guidance of some sort as I know I'm clearly very unhappy and unsatisfied living as a male. Living away for these past 5 months in Japan has made me realise and confront a lot of my demons which have basically haunted me for my entire life and I'm a little lost as to what to do.

I don't want to set the tone as too dark, after all this is an introduction! 

Hope to get know lots of you well

Thanks!
Luke.

[Devlyn]

Hi Luke, welcome to Susans! I'm from New England, right around Boston. Sorry about dropping your tea in the harbor! See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Luke,
Welcome to the family at Susan's. You are among friends here. We have all been where you are (not Japan) in some way shape or another. So please feel as if you at home.

By the way, although Devlyn may live on the east coast, she is a well respected quasi-Aussie. We even issued her with an Australian passport. LOL

Not knowing the Japanese culture too well, I'm at a bit of a loss to offer you any local assistance. My first suggestion would obviously to seek the assistance of a therapist, in order to bring a bit of perspective into your thoughts and feelings. There certainly are several in the States that do sessions over Skype, if you are comfortable with that. There is also an absolute plethora of resources and information right here that may get you started.

Whichever way it goes, there is an amazing wealth of experience here too, from those who have "walked the talk." It could be as simple as just asking a question, irrespective of how silly it may sound to you, it's the most important part of your journey.

Look forward to hearing more of you in the coming months. Keep in touch and let us know how you are coping. In the meantime, be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Padma]

Hey Luke, welcome from a fellow Brit. Finding a good therapist with no gender agenda is a good plan, and do plenty of talking things out with people when and where you can.

But let yourself be unsure - it's a valuable time this, letting yourself not know for sure, because it's when all the possibilities open up, so give yourself time to watch them before you do any jumping .

And a pre-emptive welcome back to Blighty for September. Depending on where you are in the UK, this is a pretty good country to be exploring your gender issues in. The gender clinic I'm attending in Exeter couldn't be more supportive, for example.