Changes (Two Years Later)

[allisonsteph]

Sometimes we forget that as we transition we are ever changing. Sometimes we get depressed because we don't see the changes we would like. I was looking through some old photos and compared then to now. I was quite surprised at the difference...

[Megan Joanne]

Such as when I started looking at old pictures of me, its like, Whoa! Can't believe that was even me then as I'm so used to looking at me now. So cool isn't it? Feels so good to know that things were changing even when you didn't actually see them.

[ashrock]

Even pretransition things can change like crazy and you never notice.  Was a period where I went from chubby long hair to, short hair and athletic, to obese, to way too thin with long hair, all in a span of only 2 years.  And that was before hormones and all the little changes that made including height and too many other small changes to mention.  I look way more like my sister now than I look like old pictures of myself.  I do get impatient,  I'm used to very rapid body changes, but it does help to see how much is different despite how much is imperfect

[sveebee85]

Such as when I started looking at old pictures of me, its like, Whoa! Can't believe that was even me then as I'm so used to looking at me now. So cool isn't it? Feels so good to know that things were changing even when you didn't actually see them.

you´re so right.
sometimes i´m looked in the mirror and thought - shi** nothing is basically changing. but when i´m comparing my photos over the years, wow. it´s really a lot. i think we have to keep that always in our minds, that we´re changing continuously, even if we cannot recognize it at the same time ... for me, transition is a really emotional progress with a lot up´s and down´s
hugs* svenja

[stephaniec]

I ran into some one I hadn't seen in 10 years and it took her awhile to figure it out. We are good friends we worked with each other for 4 years

[Eva Marie]

Since I'm older I expect the  changes to happen at a glacial pace, and while I do notice some physical changes they seem really minor to me.

I have begun to experience some male fail now so clearly my perception of those changes is way off.

I wish I had taken more pics when I started this process.

[LittleEmily24]

Saw a friend of mine last night at karaoke and he was with a co-worker that I use to work with (i worked in the same place he currently works) and he asked her "do you recognize this person?" as i was standing right in front of her and even after hearing my nickname at the time, she was like "hmm.... ehh.. i dont know, do you have a picture from that time or something?" lol she didn't even know WHO i was lol

Considering that when i look at old photos of me that my mom has or that my wife has in the house still (not like we have visitors or anything *cry*), its a whole different person. Back then, i could never have even dreamed of being female, I even swore that my ability to pass was about as doable as a walrus' ability to pass for a penguin lol... and now i look at myself and even though i know i have a long LONG way to go... i can actually say "i never thought i'd ever be this pretty 0_0"

alternatively; i lead a sort of interesting lifestyle (some would consider it a kink, but its not sexual for me) and back then i would "practice" this "lifestyle" in the clothing items and novelty items, and i would feel so totally ugly... now every time i dress up, I feel like the cutest thing on the planet hahaha, and i know it sounds silly but for me that is HUGE lol back then even before knowing the truth, i would constantly tell my wife "ugh, i wanna be CUTER... i hate that I look so RUGGED". and now its like *looks in the mirror dressed up in "special" outfit* "0_0... if I get any cuter, they'll have to lock me up lol"

[sveebee85]

Back then, i could never have even dreamed of being female, I even swore that my ability to pass was about as doable as a walrus' ability to pass for a penguin lol... and now i look at myself and even though i know i have a long LONG way to go... i can actually say "i never thought i'd ever be this pretty 0_0"

lol.
i experienced quite the same
in the beginning of my hrt i was really full of doubts that i would ever pass as female.

[ElanaV]

Saw a friend of mine last night at karaoke and he was with a co-worker that I use to work with (i worked in the same place he currently works) and he asked her "do you recognize this person?" as i was standing right in front of her and even after hearing my nickname at the time, she was like "hmm.... ehh.. i dont know, do you have a picture from that time or something?" lol she didn't even know WHO i was lol

Considering that when i look at old photos of me that my mom has or that my wife has in the house still (not like we have visitors or anything *cry*), its a whole different person. Back then, i could never have even dreamed of being female, I even swore that my ability to pass was about as doable as a walrus' ability to pass for a penguin lol... and now i look at myself and even though i know i have a long LONG way to go... i can actually say "i never thought i'd ever be this pretty 0_0"

I love this. Our bodies change so much but gradual enough to the point we actually get used to how we look during each phase of the transition. More recently though I've had those moments where I get dressed up to go out, and I'm like wow, how did that happen. A few weeks ago my friend told me how she couldn't believe how fast I had changed. I have felt everything was progressing slowly, but with the positive reactions I'm getting when I'm out doing everyday things now, I know my brain is not giving me the whole truth.