how important is future social life in your decision to transition

[stephaniec]

The decision to transition is extremely difficult , how much weight to you give to the social aspect. For me personally it doesn't matter any more because I've been alone for so long, I'm resigned  to the possibility or probability that no matter what path I take the social aspect will be equivalent .

[Mai]

well, seeing as how, for the past 6 years, ive had no social life, and really only had a couple friends, none of which were in my area.   and for about the 10 or so years prior to that had a dismal social life with a grand total of like, 3 people i talked to outside of family.

a future social life is not really something affecting my decision.  the way i see it though starting at 0.  im alot more likely to build a new social life that is amazing, when im able to truely be myself.   than i am now, being miserable and depressed.

[ChrissyChips]

Hmm, well I've never had friends anyway. I mean it would be nice to have some...I think, lol. But I'm one of those that hopes for the best and plans for the worst, so I see myself being alone for the rest of my life.  So be it   I'm happy with a good book and a hot chocolate

Edit: Actually, thinking about it, the image I have of myself in the future is sitting on a couch by the window, wearing my fluffy dressing gown and slippers, hair a mess, reading a book in the sunlight streaming through the window.  And that makes me happy

[suzifrommd]

Being able to socialize naturally with women was a big part of wanting to transition.

[Christine Eryn]

I've had a core group of friends since high school (20 years ago  ) and some more recent additions. I have not come out to any of them, but have been dropping subtle hints lately. I think they may accept me for the most part if I do come out to them, which I might later this year. If not, no biggie, they're history. I am currently hanging out with a few trans people, and really that's all the social life I would need going forward.

[lindagrl]

Been more or less a loner most of my life, few but close friends and hardly any socializing.
As i take my first steps in coming out i find that i want to socialize more within the trans community.
Being socially awkward inhibits me and so i want to change that as i change.
i don´t want to be so self conscious anymore and stressed around people,
want to get to a place where i can dance freely as if nobody is watching.
So yes, it´s important to me but not critical to my transition,
just glad for every step i move forward towards myself.

[tuuliu]

No way I could've started HRT if I didn't feel like there was a good chance I'll be gendered correctly.

But then again I might be just very self-critical. The people I've told about my status accept me already and it's my fears that push me down. Just being as sensitive about this as I am and not get good results would definitely restrict my life in a way I'm not sure I could handle.

[VivianK]

I'll admit, the thought of being included in all female social gatherings is really appealing to me.  As a male, any perceived sexual tension in a group of females will cause you to be rejected from such outings.  Flamboyant gay men can easily find themselves invited to little Sex and the City style escapades, but in spite a certain portion of the female population assuming I'm a gay cis-male, the moment they find out I'm not I manage to create enough tension that I don't quite fit the bill that "token gay friend" does.

[Vicky Mitchell]

Well I am a creature of habit. Lost my best friend a few years ago so now I really don't have any social life other then the occasional hello here and there. I go to work I go home. So I really don't have much to lose in social network. But to complete the transition and to just be happy to be myself  and be accepted as me that is my goal. And by all means I am still open to making new social networks.


Vicky

[awilliams1701]

Transitioning has cost me a sister and seriously strained my relationship with another. I am getting a ton of support from everyone else including my parents and one of my sisters.

[Stephe]

The ONLY reason I transitioned was to be socially accepted as a woman. If I can't interact with the world as a female, it would have been pointless to me.

As far as lost friends, I lost a total of one friend in my transition, mainly because of their extreme homophobia. No great loss.

[katrinaw]

Future social life is very important to me, not 24/7 partying but ability to do things in a group scenario, like lunches, pubs and restaurants, however I also understand that the reality of transitioning is that, depending where you are, and where you live, and acceptance, that my social life may not be as was... Would care if I became reclusive, else it's up to me.

L Katy

[JenniR04]

Like others have said, I've been alone or had so few friends for the past however many years (too many to count), that I'm resigned to being alone for the most part and anything better will be a plus. I've never really had any best or super close friends even when I was a kid and growing up thru grade & high school, even into college .... my spouse likes to use it against me too, knowing if and when she kicks me out of the house for being transgender that I have so few options of places to go, and even fewer that accept my feminine side.

I am rally glad I've found Susan's as there are some great people here and the support and well wishes make life easier at times. I have branched out to some local support groups and am looking to get involved with them. I hope to gain in my social life as I transition and to be more accepted as a woman/female in all female groups and settings.

[Allyda]

I transitioned for myself, my own well being and to save my life, also to be who I truly am and always have been inside and out. I wouldn't be here now had I not transitioned, and I really didn't care whether I was accepted or not. Having said that, I'm accepted by my friends and the public as just another girl/woman out doing her daily routine, and in social gatherings as well. However before transition 6 years ago I pretty much kept to myself. Now I am very outgoing and welcome my new friends and female social circles, and have found out I seem to have a talent for fashion. Many of my girlfriends invite me to go shopping with them, and since I loooove to shop anyways that's an added bonus!

Happy Holidays!!

Ally