Camping Trip!

[Anna++]

I haven't spent much time in public as Anna yet, but I'm hoping to change that this weekend.  I'm going camping with some friends, and I'm planning on being me the entire time.  It's a private campground, and there will only be 10 - 15 people in the group so I'm hoping it's a good way of introducing myself to the world (if I'm really feeling adventurous, I hear there is a dairy queen down the road...).  My initial plan was to bring a change of male clothes just in case things get too overwhelming and I need to bail out, but right now I'm leaning towards not even giving myself the option.

I have new jeans and t-shirts that fit, and I've been practicing my voice and getting useful feedback from people.  What else should I do to prepare?  I expect I'll shave my arms before leaving and I'll do my best to pluck some eyebrow hairs that stick out to me.  Is there anything else I should think about before leaving?

[Beth Andrea]

Be yourself! And have fun!

[MadeleineG]

If you're somewhere scenic, don't forget to block off time for solo hiking and introspection.

Maddy

[Heather]

Have fun Anna! And like Beth said "Be yourself" That's all that matters. But I do have one suggestion don't bring any male clothes with you so you'll have no other option but to be yourself. 

[Anna++]

If you're somewhere scenic, don't forget to block off time for solo hiking and introspection.

This reminds me that I should charge the batteries in my camera

I like the "be myself" advice.  No male clothes will be packed this weekend!

[Robert Scott]

I totally did that on my 40th birthday ... I declared that I was no longer going to live as my female self any more.  So, that weekend when we went camping was my point of no return.  It was great!  Be yourself and enjoy being the person you have always meant to be!

[Heather]

I like the "be myself" advice.  No male clothes will be packed this weekend!

When I first started going out I kept a change of male clothes in the car. But I realized I couldn't move forward unless I ditched the safety net. How you get past fear is to make yourself face it head on and don't give yourself an out. 

[ZoeM]

You are going to do great, Anna.
And I can't emphasize enough the good that a trip like this can do - for me it basically removed all doubt and most fear. I hope/trust it will be similarly good for you.

[bethany]

Anna, Have a blast this weekend, and enjoy every moment being you.

[mrs izzy]

Just remember to breath. I am glad to see you are upbeat and looking forward to you going to be freely you. Lots of luck

Izzy

[Anna++]

Just remember to breath. I am glad to see you are upbeat and looking forward to you going to be freely you. Lots of luck

Izzy

I expect that the anticipation building up over the next few days will be the worst part.  Everything should be fine once I get there and get going!

[Amelia Pond]

I hope you have a great time showing Anna off to the world!

Remember, the more often you go out as you, the less anxiety you'll have and you'll feel a whole lot better.

Amy

[Ltl89]

Just be you and have fun!  I'm sure it will go great.  And here is to hoping that you take that big adventure to the dairy queen.

[Pia Bianca]

I like the "be myself" advice.  No male clothes will be packed this weekend!

I bet you'll rock, girl!

[Anna++]

Just be you and have fun!  I'm sure it will go great.  And here is to hoping that you take that big adventure to the dairy queen.

No promises (but I'll let you all know once I'm back)

[Lesley_Roberta]

I like the advice of jump in no safety net, then I start to think, ok camping, camping often means swimming, hmmm, are you ready for swimming?

Girls wear girls things eh, and guys where guys things.

Do you own a female swim suit?, could you wear a girl's swimsuit?

Remember, you are a girl, buuuuut you might find that a problem if your friends get all daring and silly, like how would you cope with skinny dipping?

And keep in mind, camping might mean some booze, have you practiced being in control of anna when she is drunk yet?

[Anna++]

I like the advice of jump in no safety net, then I start to think, ok camping, camping often means swimming, hmmm, are you ready for swimming?

Girls wear girls things eh, and guys where guys things.

Do you own a female swim suit?, could you wear a girl's swimsuit?

No, and having small (but noticeable to me) breasts makes me uncomfortable in a male swimsuit.  I accept that I'm not going swimming for a while.

Remember, you are a girl, buuuuut you might find that a problem if your friends get all daring and silly, like how would you cope with skinny dipping?

By repeating "I don't want to join the pact" every time my friends mention it

And keep in mind, camping might mean some booze, have you practiced being in control of anna when she is drunk yet?

Nope, but I don't drink and I've never been drunk.  This shouldn't be a problem!

[SaveMeJeebus]

I sure hope you will have a dynamite time. Dairy Queen :3  Strawberry blizzard *drools*

(I have no extra advice to give)

[Kaelin]

No, and having small (but noticeable to me) breasts makes me uncomfortable in a male swimsuit.  I accept that I'm not going swimming for a while.

You might feel you'd have to tuck, but what would you say to a two-piece?  Despite popular perception, you don't have to have the most amazing bod to be presentable in one.  Also, it may not be bad to have just in case your friends *really* push you to get in the water -- it might be their way of forcing you to fully not look back, you know?

[Anna++]

You might feel you'd have to tuck, but what would you say to a two-piece?  Despite popular perception, you don't have to have the most amazing bod to be presentable in one.  Also, it may not be bad to have just in case your friends *really* push you to get in the water -- it might be their way of forcing you to fully not look back, you know?

I'd be up for trying it next summer .  I was only planning on shaving my arms for this trip, so the forest of hair that is still on my torso could be a problem... but body hair changes are slow but fascinating, and I'm not yet bored with watching it happen!