Transition videos how do you feel when you watch them?

[Christine Eryn]

They are a double edged sword. They empower me, and they make me feel hopeless sometimes. I say, "you can do this" and/or "you're not even close to looking that good". The things I can take away from them are I know I'm not the only one in this struggle, I wasn't the first and I won't be the last, and they're instructional sometimes. I see them a lot more positively nowadays though.

[TheQuestion]

They make me feel horrible about myself to be honest...

[katiej]

After watching a transition timeline video I'll usually go to the user's channel to see if they have any other videos.  Pictures can only show so much.  Voice, mannerisms, and overall presentation are the difference between passing and not.  So I watch their other videos to see what they're like in person.  It gives context to the transition video.

Does anyone else do that?

[Blue Senpai]

I watched them as inspiration that there's hope for me and with just 5 and a half weeks left until I start my own physical transition, I've been watching them more frequently. I get jealous, sure, but I know I don't have to be because I'll just be like one of those people someday.

[LordKAT]

I'm odd I guess. I don't watch them because it makes everything worse.

[Rachelicious]

They make me extremely happy for the transitioner and even happier that I was not the one putting something so private out there for the world to see. 

[Gothic Dandy]

I don't get depressed, but for some I have been moved to tears. They make me think, "Oh my god, it's not just me!" Both FTM and MTF ones alike.

There was one in which the girl had a female voice say to her one day, "Hey! Let me out! I'm tired of being trapped in here!" or something to that effect. I was shocked to hear that, because for the past few years I've had a wise male voice in my head, and one day he finally said, "Hey, listen...I'm you." I wonder how many others come to the realization that they're transgender in this way.

katiej, I do that sometimes. I like to see their recent videos, to see how far they've come since the one I just watched.

[ImagineKate]

I watch them for educational reasons to see what's possible. I also know that a lot of the videos don't apply to me because, well let's put it bluntly - most of them are white women. I'm not. That's not to say the principle is not the same but I am different. I do seek out transition videos of people with similar skin color and features as me. I guess I'm a bit blessed that my mom and aunts are pretty well endowed in the chest department and have a really nice hourglass shape. But it also probably means that I won't be able to hide for long. (I have small boobs and a female-ish waist, some from previous HRT but I've always had the waist).

I also have a few trans friends but I never discuss transition with them because they don't bring it up. I probably will at some point if they notice what I'm going through.

[AnneB]

Kate... it might be an idea to let them (your trans friend) into your world.. you will need a good supportive team, both trans, and non trans friends.. they will become closer as they may feel you're really sharing yourself and you value them. Plus, their own experiences, depending how far along they are, can help you in your journey also.
I discovered something when I came out to two bff's I had known for abt 5yrs..  it turns out they are actually trans women and thot I was outting them!  I had no idea abt them, and they had no idea abt me.. well, we are a LOT closer now, and they are now watching out for me, and how I'm doing.  Anyway.. just an idea.  I hope your journey goes well! 

Paula

[ImagineKate]

Thank you Paula. I do plan on getting them into my world. I guess courage is something I need to get into my world too.

[Kimberley Beauregard]

I find them awe-inspiring.  Some of these transformations are beautiful.

[Kiera85]

I find them inspiring and daunting in almost equal measures though I don't watch them so much these days. I generally prefer the videos of trans girls just talking about various trans issues. I particularly like Violet4151's videos.

For those finding them depressing because of how good these girls look, Brae C has an excellent video where she points out that many are very made up. She then proceeds to take off all her make-up and hair extensions to show how she looks normally. She still looks good of course, but it's quite a startling difference. Worth checking out. Think it's called "Must watch for beginners"

[Rachelicious]

Yeah fixed-image photos don't really show things like mannerisms, expressions, speaking etc that are way more telling to the success of one's transition than just looks.

[Danny H]

Yeah fixed-image photos don't really show things like mannerisms, expressions, speaking etc that are way more telling to the success of one's transition than just looks.

This is true, but mannerisms, expressions and voice are much easier to change than looks.  To me, if you can change the look you can definitely do everything else, and you can definitely pass.

[ErinOhio]

Depending on how I'm feeling that day they can make me feel a number of ways.  Usually they give me hope, and often they can bring tears to my eyes to see people achieve the potential they've dreamed of.  And to know that maybe, just maybe I can do the same.

[Illuminess]

I've enjoyed viewing lots of transition videos. There's a lot of great stories out there; especially the ones where people were open enough to let the world know all the low points and how they got through them. Some of them just show pictures so you have no way of knowing what cosmetic procedures they got unless they're very obvious, but the transformations are always incredible. There's nothing wrong with using them as inspiration and for keeping your spirits up, but it's never good to compare their results with your own. Some of them were extremely lucky to have all the money they needed, and they're not going to tell you that part. We all have our own journeys to endure, and whether or not we have a ton of money we will always find a way. Better to have a transition at bare minimum than none at all.

[cass]

Depends on the video, i find watching those of people a lot younger than myself can depress and upset me, more so when they havent had to endure the damage or male puberty, those who are a similar age to myself often give me hope and cheer my up when im having concerns