Beginning the journey -- what's important?

[Hazumu]

Okay, I've finally admitted to myself and a few other people that I want to transition and spend the rest of my life as a woman.  Great!  What a load off my chest!  That initial step in and of itself has been quite liberating in that I've finally stopped censoring myself and presenting as I feel without giving a damn that some hyper-testosteroned ->-bleeped-<- would get his kicks by calling me a ->-bleeped-<-got.  In other words, I no longer give a $#!^ about that.

But what now?  I've made contact with a therapist, and have begun collecting study materials and educating myself on the path ahead to transition, including getting ready to teeach myself to speak and sound like a female.

So, at this early stage, just starting out on the journey, what are the things that I must concentrate on, and what are the things that can be left for later or are unimportant?

I look forward to seeing your posted wisdom--

[Terri-Gene]

Hello Hasumu.  Wander around the forums for a while and visit the Wiki to seek out information and what you don't understand or want help on, just ask in one of the forums and you will get what help is available on what you want to know.

Especially look at threads about transiton, RLT, HRT and SRS and see how some of it sits with you.  Despite a lot of GO GIRL talk on some other sites, we do our best here at Susans to provide realistic and factual information based on the experience of it's members who range from CD to Post-Op, we are here to help, not play games, so most anything you want to know is within our membership to clue you in, for the good and for the bad and even the worst ..... oh yes, the bad and god forbid the worst.

There is much you need to know and research both in print and in your own self evaluations after you have seen and learned of the truth of the matter.

I hope you achieve what you are looking for while retaining a happy outlook on life.

Terri

[Kimberly]

Well, get ready for the ride of your life... probably the best and most frightening all in one.

Hello Hazumu, pleased to meet you.

In my opinion...
What you should concentrate on... (in order)
*Therapy. Find a good therapist, and let him/her help you find yourself. I think that it is very probable that you are not truly you yet... I think the most important thing about this all is to free yourself.
*Financial security. This is an expensive endeavor. Having one's hormones bounce back and forth because you could not afford to reorder when you needed to is something to be avoided... It is educational though, I'll give it that.
*Be patient. Nothing moves fast, and almost certainly not as fast as you might prefer. Develop Patients and develop tenacity. Sharpen those claws and dig in
*Be prepared for everyone to disown you and or otherwise drop you like a hot rock. It may never happen, and then again it may.


I think part of your educational reading should include at least a few TS stories... they can be educational.

Best wishes and luck to you

[stephanie_craxford]

Hello Hazumu,

I would just like to add to the great replies of both Terri and Kimberly.  In addition to their advice keep in mind  that this will not only affect you but also family, friends, and aquaintances, both socialy and in the workplace.

Take your time, think a lot, think of everything you've got, for you will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not. - Cat Stevens

Steph

[Shelley]

Hi Hazumu,

I think part of your educational reading should include at least a few TS stories... they can be educational.

The best thing you can dois arm yourselfwith information so that you can evaluate whether you are prepared forthe sacrifices and challenges ahead. As Steph and the others have said take your time and listen to the experiences of  others.

Shelley