Well I'm writing this as I can't believe I've finally reached the point where I'm about to start my real life! I've just spent a stressful 3 months working on cruise ships where everyone knew what I was doing but I was still (mostly) a guy, well no I lie I was definitely been classed more with the girls and left to do what I wanted
! Plus wearing my normal work uniform, which is gender neutral and getting misgendered (or is it correctly gendered?) a lot or just plainly confusing people
!
I was so concerned that people wouldn't be able to deal with me, but I was wrong, and in general I was less able to deal with them, and therefore I completely over shot and misjudged nearly everyone. It makes me feel extremely stupid, but now that it is out there, and my life is about to begin, I feel extremely luckily that these people are the ones I work with. They are going to accept me, both socially and professionally (they don't care as long as I can do my job; and I have seen some people who are very bad at their job and so have the ones who I want to respect me!). I now know as I meet new people, they will be told about me and that patience and proving myself with them is the only way forward but they will normally get there!
So to my future. My real life is about to begin within 2 weeks. I'm changing my name, getting a new passport etc. (oh and a new female formal uniform issue
) . I have bought, and am buying enough clothes to live full time (I'm barely started with the shopping!!). I'm yet to walk out of the door as Rachel full time, but now I know it I am doing this and it is going to be within days, I'm so excited!
I want people who are finding it difficult getting to this place, where there is confidence to make the full time step that it is possible, even if you completely doubt yourself, with patience and small steps it really is possible. I've not needed to write much on-line, but the support I've taken from this site is reading and knowing that there are people going through similar feelings, so thank you everyone for helping to get me to this stage, and for sharing your life's on here!
Huge hugs and massive appreciation
Rachel x
