What aspect of transition were you least prepared for?

[Juliett]

Personally for me, I never realized how much my long hair would love getting in my mouth. And I am always amazed at the unending parade of stuff that falls down my cleavage. I would also say that I was shocked that women talk to me now, they laugh and smile and acknowledge my existence, it's a fantastic switch. Men still ignore me, but that's not surprising.

[Jessica Merriman]

The same here. Hair finding lipstick like a magnet. Who would have though?  Or forgetting about long hair until after you roll down the car window resulting in a blind out! Dresses getting into car doors being shut was one. Seems like they want to escape or something. I hate it when people honk and point, argh!:)

[Carrie Liz]

Probably the fact that drinking from a water fountain with long hair is nearly impossible.

Also, I keep forgetting that I can't put my hands in my pockets anymore, because they no longer exist.

[Jane's Sweet Refrain]

Finding men attractive--at all and, in particular, when one of them was one of my closest friends. Thanks HRT.

[Jane's Sweet Refrain]

Oops. I missed the word "minor". So, yeah, that hair in mouth thing.

[Jenna Marie]

Boob sweat, although the crumbs in the cleavage were unexpected too. (I had long hair for my entire adult life, or I'm sure that'd have been a surprise as well.)

[ZoeM]

All of the above? ^_^
For an original contribution, though, I'd have to say hair getting stuck under my bra straps. It's a constant minor annoyance.

[stephaniec]

HRT making the skin on my face so sensitive, hair flying in my face makes me insane

[Evelyn K]

I totally get what you gals mean about the hair thing. ^_^ It's constant when I'm trying to eat, I have to hold it in my free hand all the time when eating, makes me look even more girlish especially at like restaurants and such when I'm trying to be neat. And I don't like hair ties.

And then there's putting retinol moisturizers on my face and the hair clinging all over.

As far as least prepared, a few:

My eye area changes. Those "cat eyes".

An overwhelming sense of well being and enduring happiness. I love myself sooo much. I'm invested in my health and appearance like never before. Eating right (organic when it's sensible, lean and clean), keeping my teeth in pearly white shape, being well groomed, keeping my skin glowing, moisturized and sun screened, protecting my eyes, etc. etc.

Being body odor free.

[Jill F]

I had no idea what was going to happen to me.  All I knew before transitioning was that I was depressed, borderline suicidal, and that I wasn't going to be around much longer if I didn't start taking some fairly drastic measures.  I didn't even want to transition at first, even though I was taking a therapeutic dose of estrogen at my therapist's suggestion.  My plan "A" was just to take it one day at a time, and maybe I'd never have to tell a soul about what my real deal was.  My initial plan was to remain within the confines of my comfy closet.

My brain on estrogen rapidly began to form a different plan.  No way was I going to stay in the closet, and no way was I going another day without my newfound wonder drug.  The world was about to lose a miserable guy and gain a happy girl, whether it was ready for me or not. 

There was not a particular aspect of transition that I wasn't prepared for, it was really the entire transition itself.  I didn't really choose transition.  It's more like it chose me.  I went full time just two months after my first dose of estrogen and four months after presenting myself as a woman privately for the first time.  Jumping in with both feet was pretty scary at first, but I'm glad now that I did.

[antonia]

I think what really surprised me is how accepting female groups are to trans women and how quickly it happened.

[nikkit72]

A high degree of "acceptance" regardless of "passing". Sure, I get the stares, but mostly people ignore and get on with their things. 

Nikki

[suzifrommd]

I think the social stuff has been the hardest. In a lot of social situations I feel like I'm invisible. Women are just not noticed the way men are unless they're really attractive.

[Miyuki]

I totally get what you gals mean about the hair thing. ^_^ It's constant when I'm trying to eat, I have to hold it in my free hand all the time when eating, makes me look even more girlish especially at like restaurants and such when I'm trying to be neat. And I don't like hair ties.

I got my hair cut this weekend for the first time since I started to grow it out, and I think I've discovered the solution to the hair in mouth problem. They're called bangs.

[allisonsteph]

Being accepted as a woman by women. When I went to NA I was given the women's phone list. Women tell me about their menstral cycle, and complain about men. I never pictured myself being part of the club.

[Kaylin Kumiho]

Probably the chest pain... I mean, I kinda was completely unprepared for the sensitivity. Doubly so when I seemingly keep finding a way to close a door on my tits x____X

Other than that, I guess being able to look myself in the mirror and actually feel hope.

[Evelyn K]

^^ Good one!!! Ahh how could anyone forget.

I would also add one unexpected aspect of transition is on susans!!!

[Rachel]

I am least prepared for the work it is taking me to reconstruct myself into an honest person who can express what I want and pursue it when it is the direct opposite of what my loved ones want.

I assumed I would be starting over. I assumed I would be fired. I assumed I would be divorced.  Instead I am deconstructing and reconstructing in a slow and painful process.

[Eva Marie]

The pace of change.

I went from an ordinary, boring, same-thing-every-day life to a whirlwind of change and activity and milestones. My social calendar is full, and I always have somewhere I need to be. With the fast pace has come many life changes; my life is totally different now than it was just two years ago. I feel like i'm on a high speed bobsled ride and I am barely hanging on.

I'm tired; a slowdown in the pace of things would be welcome 

[Autumn]

The boob pain. I knew they were going to hurt, but nothing prepared me for the pain that I feel when I hit them against something.