The Most Interesting Thing Learned From Your Trans. Experience

[Jonie]

What was the most interesting thing you learned from your trans. experience?

[Shana A]

I could write pages on this  In short, the most interesting aspect of being transgender is that I don't see gender as binary, only either male or female. There are as many points on the continuum as there are people, there are many ways to express and be gender, if we can allow and open ourselves to the possibilities.

Zythyra

[Kate]

Regarding transition itself:

I learned that for the most part, people are actually really cool and kind and don't give a darn about us (in a good way).

I learned that I was unfairly projecting my own fears, guilt, shame and insecurities on them... that it wasn't THEY who felt those things about me, it was ME.

I learned that these people were actually just WAITING for me to stop blaming everyone else so they could HELP me do this.

I learned that all the dire warnings I read about how "don't transition unless it's a last resort" and "transition will cost you everything you have!" and "only a fool would transition as a choice!" are just people's insecurities, victimhood and internal shame masquerading as "compassionate advice." Sure, the risks must be acknowledged... but I don't think that's what motivates most dire warnings.

But in the end, I guess the most interesting thing I learned was, "My God, I CAN actually do this!"

~Kate~

[Karla B]

I have found one of the most interesting things was, when you hit this certain stage of denial, all the things one does and time spent on fighting who you really are, and in the end, it didn't change a darn thing. You are who you are, and there isn't a thing you can do about it. So you finally come to terms with it, and just let it happen.   

[Melissa]

Here's a few of the things I have learned:

I've learned that we have unlimited potential for growth only if we are willing to keep pushing your barriers a little bit further at a time.

I've learned that it is possible to transition and still have a normal life and that finding love is still possible.

I have learned what it means be and to have true friends.

I have learned that almost nobody has any problems with somebody transitioning.

I have learned that it is possible to like who I am and that I can enjoy my life.

I have learned that the only important point of transition is to make changes to yourself and your life so that you are happy living it and happy with who you are.  Everybody's has their own individual path and if it makes them happy, then it's the right one for them.

I have learned that transition doesn't mean you will be living a life of poverty or solitude.

I've learned what it feels like to finally live as my true gender.

[Buffy]

That I have an inner strength, will to suceed and confidence that I never had as a guy.

Buffy

[LostInTime]

That I can be happy.

To trust absolutely no one.

[Kat]

I get treated better presenting female than I ever did presenting male.

[gennee]

I have learned a few things.

1. I am liberated and complete.

2. I  have a deep love for transgender people

3. Though I'm a crossdresser, I feel a special kinship with those who transition or are transitioning.

4. I am free to be my true self.


Gennee

[Sylvia H]

Discovering 95% of all my negative emotions were all in my head.

Ima lumberjack and Im ok!

Sylvia H

[Jonie]

Discovering 95% of all my negative emotions were all in my head.

Ima lumberjack and Im ok!

Sylvia H

All together now!

I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK
I sleep all night and I work all day.

Chorus:
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees, I eat my lunch
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shopping and have buttered scones for tea

Mounties:
He cuts down trees, he eats his lunch
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping and has buttered scones for tea.

Chorus:
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees, I skip and jump
I like to press wild flowers.
[Lumberjack Song lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

I put on women's clothing and hang around in bars.

Mounties:
He cuts down trees, he skips and jumps
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing and hangs around in bars?!

Chorus:
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees, I wear high heels
Suspenders and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie, just like my dear Papa!!

Mounties:
I cut down trees, I wear high heels?!
Suspenders...and a bra?!...

Just the Lumberjack:
I wish I'd been a girlie, just like my dear Papa!!

[Terra]

I have had my faith challenged and it in turn has been strengthened. I have more trust in my God and Jesus.

I learned to give everyone a chance when it comes to trust and friendship. If I had not, I would not have made the friends I have. Overall most people have not cared what I was but more of who I was, which was a good person and hard worker.

I have learned patience, lots and lots of patience.

But most of all I have learned that life is an adventure, it is beautiful and complex, and that no problem is insurmountable. Not even the problem of transition.