What was the first thing you changed?

[Ashey]

It happened in stages, so I'll just give the timeline...

Early-to-mid Teens (Denial/repression phase):
-Grew my hair out a bit.

Late Teens (Nearing the end of the denial and repression phase):
-Grew my hair to shoulder-length.
-Occasionally wore hair-clips and bobby-pins.
-Pierced my ears.
-Experimented with eyeliner.

Early 20's (End of repression, beginning of acceptance):
-Bought some 'secret' girl clothes, dressed in drag/wore more make-up (sometimes).
-Came out to all my friends (past and present)

Mid-20's (Got stuck in a rut and stalled):
-Joined various games and virtual worlds and created female characters/avatars. Though in 'the real world' my transition was put on hold, I gained some social experiences online and started my first relationship identifying as trans.
-Bought a few girly/androgynous clothes for boy-mode.
-Bought a small light-blue 'travel-bag' that I used as a purse.
-Came out to my sisters.

26 (Got out of my rut and started seriously transitioning):
-'Feminized' some items, like cell-phone cover, tablet skin, deodorant, got some perfume, etc. etc.
-Came out to my parents.
-Found a therapist.

27 (Hittin' the fast-track. )
-Got my letter after 4-5 months.
-Found an endocrinologist that was willing to work with me.
-Got my prescriptions filled (E and P). Blood work done.
-First laser session.
-Second endo visit, upped my E dosage and added Spiro. Got new prescriptions filled.
-Had a big talk with my parents, which reaffirmed their support and has made me relax around them more and now I'm able to talk with them about what I'm going through.
-Submitted paperwork to expunge my (minor) criminal record.
-Filled out paperwork for a legal name change. Action on that is pending the results of my expunged record.

Roughly that order, and so many more changes ahead! But yeah, these are all changes I either naturally made or I had to muster up the courage and motivation to deal with and initiate. If anyone reading this is thinking about transitioning, know that it really takes a lot of willpower and commitment to get everything done! So worth it though!

[Natalia]

Mid-20's (Got stuck in a rut and stalled):
-Joined various games and virtual worlds and created female characters/avatars. Though in 'the real world' my transition was put on hold, I gained some social experiences online and started my first relationship identifying as trans.
-Bought a few girly/androgynous clothes for boy-mode.
-Bought a small light-blue 'travel-bag' that I used as a purse.
-Came out to my sisters.

I joined Second Life back in 2008 and all my avatars were always females (Renata, Natalia and Anna). I spent a lot of time and money there... While on the game I learned who I really was and spent 4 years playing around 5 hours everyday (got really addicted to my new life)

I got three long relationships (all with men) and for a long time I could say I was really happy, feeling accomplished, realized. It was one of the best things that happened to me.

Unfortunately, I did not have the courage to tell my boyfriends I wasn't exactly a girl in the real world and my dreams were all smashed when they wanted to hear my voice, or to see pics of me

I cried for around one week after the end of my biggest love in SL...stayed with him for over 3 years...I think he was the only lover I had in all my life

I really miss being there, shopping, dancing, being myself. Luckly this game helped me to identify myself as a trans and to seek help.

[Jennygirl]

Hair (unconsciously)
Mannerisms (deliberately)

[Embrace]

Before starting transition, while I had already been shaving legs, chest and armpits for a couple of years, the first noticeable thing I changed was that I shaved off the beard I had been wearing for 20+ years.  It was shortly after that when I came to realize this was a much bigger part of me than I had ever considered.

After months of research, soul searching and working through things with my wife, I began transition and also began to let go of concern over what people might think of the way I looked.  It was then that I got my ears pierced, began shaving my arms and plucking my eyebrows.  I had already begun to grow my hair out as well.

A year later I still present as male at work but look forward to the day when that just doesn't work any more.

[Allie]

Before starting transition, while I had already been shaving legs, chest and armpits for a couple of years, the first noticeable thing I changed was that I shaved off the beard I had been wearing for 20+ years.  It was shortly after that when I came to realize this was a much bigger part of me than I had ever considered.

My beard that I had for 20 years was the first open change. It was like crossing the threshhold, I was able to hide behind the beard all these years. It was my mask hiding all my female feelings. I knew once I shaved, I was making progress 

[Mogu]

Shaving my body was the first "alright, going to change" thing I did. Although I was putting my hair in a ponytail and wearing skirts for one to two years prior.

Shaving sucks however, and I can't seem to use razors anywhere but my face without extreme pain and cuts. Despite trying a bunch of different methods and recommendations. I use an electric razor right now, and have a consultation scheduled for electrolysis. But it's rather depressing to sit there running a hand over your beard.

Also first post.

[MaddieShirey]

My first change was getting rid of my facial hair. I've always had a beard. It feels good to have it gone though.

[Jenna Marie]

I already had waist-length hair, but the first official thing I did to mark the start of transition was pierce my ears. It's funny looking back, but it was such a HUGE deal at the time, and I was so afraid people would notice...

[MaddieShirey]

I've been considering that actually. Though, that too has been a fear of mine. Did people "notice"?

[Shantel]

Started HRT right away, spent a small fortune on facial electrolysis and still have to shave though 50% of my facial hair is gone. Don't have any body hair other than crotch and armpits, lucked out there! Got my ears pierced and took them out for good a year later. Had an orchiectomy, lost 80 pounds and beat my body back into shape, had upper eyelid lift, neck lift, recently had love handles lipo-suctioned away for ever. Just dress androgynously and don't plan on taking it any further.

[RavenMoon]

OK, lets's see... I grew my hair out (past my shoulders, then cut it short, then grew it again, and cut it shoulder length, and now I'm letting it grow again), lost/losing weight, shaved the hair off my body (used an epilator on my arms), plucked my brows, started wearing nail polish, transitioned all my socks and undies (yay!), and have been working more women's clothing in to my wardrobe... but nothing too girly yet... I have a very androgynous look. Both ears have been pierced for over 30+ years.

My next step will be laser hair removal on my face. I hope to start that next month.  I have not started HRT yet, so that's up next too, and then I have to start saving for FFS. Once I do that I'll be able to start living full time... 

[Jenna Marie]

Maddie : If that was directed at me, no, actually, nobody noticed. Except my mom (and I'd taken the actual earrings out!), but mothers have superpowers.

[Jill F]

Grew hair out in 1989-91, pierced ears and nose as well.  I subconcsiously knew this was a manifestation of my GD, even back then.
20+ more years of denial, suppression, drugs, alcohol, depression and eventually becoming indifferent to living.
Felt like a woman ready to scream bloody murder, breakdown began Oct 2012
Came out to self, wife, ditched body hair Nov 2012
Therapy, new wardrobe Dec 2012
Laser beard removal, HRT Jan 2013
Dressed in public occasionally Feb 2013
Dressed in public regularly Mar 2013
Committed to full transition, went full time, came out to world Apr 2013
Electrolysis June 2013
Adjusted HRT doses July 2013
Hair highlights, Progesterone Nov 2013
2014- Cosmetic facial procedures, Legal name change, GRS Letter, GRS (I hope!)

[RavenMoon]

I got mine pierced recently, still looking mostly male.  It seemed like people were noticing but I believe it was more my imagination than them really noticing a great deal. 

I prefer to think of the time, before I was even out to myself, how I felt when I saw a male presentation with pierced ears.  If it was an otherwise masculine person, I'd just think he was playing pirate, goth, punk or something, especially with other piercings or tattoos.  If it was an effeminate male, I would think "he's probably gay."  Mostly though, it was a brief thought and I never dwelt on them.

Maybe because I'm a musician, and run with a different crowd (lol), but I figured these days that lots of men have at least one ear pierced? I don't think people bat an eye about that anymore. Not around these parts anyway.

But, I guess as you said, I was/am also a punk/goth and some times pirate. No, just kidding about the pirate part. Maybe. Arrrr. Only one tattoo however.

You know the old thing was if your right ear was pierced you were gay. The left ear and you were straight. Really stupid, but that's what people said. I remember when I got he right one done (thus making them both pierced) a few people asked if I was gay. I said, no, but I'm happy, and have more earrings than holes.

And, maybe surprisingly, I only had two people ask me why I was wearing nail polish. One woman at a biker club gig said her son was a guitarist and paints his nails black, and didn't give her an answer why, but that it there was a technical reason.  lol  I told her it's because I like the way it looks, and it has nothing to do with playing. It's a fashion thing.

[kathyk]

Six months after starting HRT, I finally shaved the beard (about a year ago).

[Miyuki]

Uh, the first thing I did was actually low dose HRT. That was my "I'm not transgender, I just don't like testosterone" phase. Then I started removing my body hair religiously because I just couldn't stand to look at it anymore. That was my "I'm seriously not transgender, I just don't like being hairy" phase. That lasted for a while, but eventually I asked myself the question "Why am I doing this?", and when the best answer I could come up with was "Okay, maybe I do want to be a girl, but that doesn't make me transgender... right?", yea, it was time to quit the denial. So now I'm in the process of buying a more feminine wardrobe, growing my hair out, working on my voice, looking into full dose HRT/an orchiectomy, etc. Everything is sort of happening at once now, so it's hard to keep the order straight.

[ZoeM]

Hair was first - from three months before therapy to a week ago, I never cut it.
Face hair was second - November 2012 to November 2013 (and some electro to go).

Hormone changes followed, and gradually clothes and mannerisms and voice.

[Shantel]

Got on HRT right away, grew hair out and got my ears pierced, had an orchiectomy, that was the first time before the de-transition. 

[RavenMoon]

De-transition???

[Shantel]

De-transition???

Went off the deep end for two years more PTSD related to my Vietnam War experiences, sometimes the nicest people's lives turn to sh*t for no apparent reasons. Nuff said bout that!