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what happens to all the new transitioners

Started by ana1111, April 08, 2015, 11:58:49 PM

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ana1111

I see it everyday in trans groups and forums like this one...all these pre everything mtf people who ask how to get on hormones or talk about how they think they might be transgender in a couple posts and then they disappear never to be seen or heard from again..i wonder like what happens to them usually? Do they transition or start than realize its not for them o something? I know a lot of people say trans women will transition than just blend in and never post in trans related things again going undetected by society, but I really think this is somewhat of a myth for many...most the trans girls I see and meet do not pass completely even if they have been on hormones for years so I just kinda wonder what happens to all these people as I think being stealth isn't possible for many at least without extensive surgery...my point being I am transitioning very young (started at 17) and many think im passable but transition is very hard and I can't imagine trying to do it alone with no support after the person starts hormones...am I the only one that finds this odd?
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Zoetrope

I guess some people think transitioning is for them, then do a 180 and decide it isn't, for whatever reason.
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I also think that the idea of 'passing 100%' is something of a myth. I went into this in detail in another thread. For me, investing so much emotion into something which is essentialy a bit of a gamble - can really damage one's state of mind.

I am one of these annoying people who says ... 'embrace being trans'. Doing that has brought me peace, 'and passing 100%' is just not important to me anymore.
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It's also been very surprising to me to discover that there are plenty of boys who will date a trans girl. That was one of the few things I thought would be a problem. Turns out it was all in my head! Again, that has helped me to feel comfortable *being trans*.

On that note, I'm also quite against 'stealth dating'. I've been in enough relationships to know that keeping secrets is asking for big problems down the track.
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Support is hugely important, you're right there. I did not have my family for this first year, because they were busy having a meltdown. But I did have a supportive workplace. Had I not had either, yeah, things would have been far more difficult.
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stephaniec

Quote from: SarahBoo on April 09, 2015, 12:10:57 AM
I guess some people think transitioning is for them, then do a 180 and decide it isn't, for whatever reason.
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I also think that the idea of 'passing 100%' is something of a myth. I went into this in detail in another thread. For me, investing so much emotion into something which is essentialy a bit of a gamble - can really damage one's state of mind.

I am one of these annoying people who says ... 'embrace being trans'. Doing that has brought me peace, 'and passing 100%' is just not important to me anymore.
---

It's also been very surprising to me to discover that there are plenty of boys who will date a trans girl. That was one of the few things I thought would be a problem. Turns out it was all in my head! Again, that has helped me to feel comfortable *being trans*.

On that note, I'm also quite against 'stealth dating'. I've been in enough relationships to know that keeping secrets is asking for big problems down the track.
---

Support is hugely important, you're right there. I did not have my family for this first year, because they were busy having a meltdown. But I did have a supportive workplace. Had I not had either, yeah, things would have been far more difficult.
ditto
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Carrie Liz

Most of my trans friends have a history of posting things on the internet, thinking they might be trans, only to go back into the questioning stage, bargaining with themselves over "do I really want to do this?"

I expect a lot of people who come here for information are doing the same thing.

A lot of people struggle with possible gender identity concerns. That doesn't mean that all of them are destined to transition right away, or transition at all, and that's completely okay.

Also, when you say "most of the trans girls I see and meet do not pass completely even if they have been on hormones for years," that one I believe is not necessarily true. Yes, to our own critical eyes, other trans people do not pass. But that's because we know they're trans, and we know what to look for. Most people don't. They accept people at face value. If they met that same person in real life, the thought that they might be a trans girl instead of a cis girl probably didn't even cross their mind. I mean, for God's sake, I look in the mirror at myself and can't see anything but a man on a lot of days, and yet I seem to pass completely at work, being properly gendered all the time, people automatically asking me questions about boyfriends and pregnancy and girlhood, stuff like that which I am completely shocked that they are asking me because to my own critical eye my transness is so obvious. We're our own worst critics.
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ana1111

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Nikki_Taz

I are around, 10 weeks and loving it.  Im just not as obsessed anymore like before HRT.  Now im calm and taking everything in still.  I just don't find the need to post because I don't have as many issues as some of my brothers and sisters do on sites like this.  I would love to chime in a lot but I also don't have as much experience either.  I guess I could say most people are like that.

There is also a lot of smaller circle trans people who simply reach out in the beginning and then stay with a smaller support circle.  Thats all you really need anyway.
Words can't bring me down
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Damara

I came here several years ago posting about transition and after a few posts left because at the time I just couldn't transition for a lot of reasons.. Now I'm back and 6 months into transition and am never looking back! I think it just depends on the person and their specific scenario. :)
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Deinewelt

I'm still here!

But yeah, every day I face thoughts, feelings, and anxieties that make me question what I'm doing.  Yes, I often feel like I just won't pass- even though I'm pretty feminine looking.  Because I just started HRT, I have a lot of new feelings around the fact that the days of living in hiding are numbered. 

This whole thing isn't my fault and it doesn't seem like a choice to be transgender or to transition for that matter.  I can see how people might *think* that these things are choices when they haven't lived through the experience.  How I actually feel about my preferred gender is something that just is and seems to be non-modifiable.  The little tiny steps I take a long the way to feel more comfort and less pain within myself are hard not to make when each one makes me feel better.

I am willing to bet a lot of people just can't get comfortable with coming out of hiding and stop transition.  Having to come out to people was one of the hardest things for me but I was surprised when my parents were accepting.  At this point I am just struggling with feelings about being out at work.  I pretty much feel like everybody already knows and this instills a  lot of fear and uncertainty.  Lately I just keep coming back to the previous paragraph- that this whole thing isn't my fault and that it cannot be changed.  But yeah, even if it could be changed, *should* it be changed?  I don't feel good at all about losing myself for some miracle cure or reprogramming, God knows I've tried.
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Eevee

I think a lot of people just don't want to commit more of their time to a forum after they figure out the right path to start on. In that case, this site at least helped someone out.

For the record, I at least stuck around.

Eevee
#133

Because its genetic makeup is irregular, it quickly changes its form due to a variety of causes.



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Ferretty

I tend to go on this forum in spurts and it can be a while between these times of interacting highly with the site. I think this type of thing could be mistaken for leaving. I tend to leave because at certain times in my life gender identity issues are much more prevalent than others.
A merry christmas to all


...


What's that? Oh but it's too early for christmas you say? BLASPHEMY
It's never too early.

~Skye
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Ange

They all get absorbed by the big vacuum cleaner of the holly bathroom, with the help of secrets agencies in the different nations of the world. This is a well kept secret, and for your own safety, you will be taken by special police forces in about 30 minutes. Please pack your things. (you won't take them with you anyway) Oh by the way, when you'll go to that place, please try to find my second blue sock. It probably went there too.

Joke aside... One thing that amazed me was the massive proportion of people on forums that actually don't transition. You go around looking for pictures and 95% of the pictures you find are quite manly. Then you realize most of them never started transitionning actually. Most of the people that actually are on HRT pass as girls, some of them are not beautiful but they totally pass as girls and if you're not trans, you have no idea that they are.

Another thing that amazes me is the number of people that actually transition and just live their life. You don't read them on forums because well, they are not on forums. They're done with transition. They know pretty much everything they need to know about it and they have trans friends that can help for this or that. Why would they go on forums ? (a lot of them just don't use internet) "It's a small world", well maybe, but there's a lot of people in it in the end.

But I am interested too in this "silent majority". :)
Tell me what your definition of "man" and "woman" is, I'll tell you which I am. Not the other way around.
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sonson

Quote from: Carrie Liz on April 09, 2015, 12:47:30 AM
Most of my trans friends have a history of posting things on the internet, thinking they might be trans, only to go back into the questioning stage, bargaining with themselves over "do I really want to do this?"
yeah thats pretty much where im at. my progress has been at a stand-still for a long time so I dont post very often. I do lurk a lot though, and I imagine a lot of other people do too.

Quote from: Deinewelt on April 09, 2015, 02:39:26 AM
I am willing to bet a lot of people just can't get comfortable with coming out of hiding and stop transition.  Having to come out to people was one of the hardest things for me but I was surprised when my parents were accepting.  At this point I am just struggling with feelings about being out at work.  I pretty much feel like everybody already knows and this instills a  lot of fear and uncertainty.  Lately I just keep coming back to the previous paragraph- that this whole thing isn't my fault and that it cannot be changed.  But yeah, even if it could be changed, *should* it be changed?  I don't feel good at all about losing myself for some miracle cure or reprogramming, God knows I've tried.
this really hits home for me. I am very much afraid of coming out, and I too have to remind myself that this isnt my choice. I fear, though, that the need for that reassurance stems from an unhealthy mindset about transitioning. My biggest fear is that people will think that I transitioned by choice, but why would I be so afraid of that? whats wrong with choosing this? why does the thought embarrass me? hopefully this is something that I can work out with my therapist, cause if I cant change this mindset I have, I fear I'll never come out of the closet.
sorry, didnt mean for this post to turn into a diary entry  :-\
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iKate

I come here because I love the company but I wouldn't lie, maybe some day in the future I will want to put transition behind me.

Passing 100% isn't necessary to blend in either. Remember that "trans" isn't the first thing on people's minds when they meet you. It is also more complex than just looks. Body shape/size, voice and how you carry yourself makes you pass and people who master those things can blend in.

Remember Lynn Conway went stealth for years before she had FFS and she transitioned I think in her late 20s or early 30s. She even had a wife and kids which she lost when transitioning. It all came down to people not thinking about trans and she looked like a normal woman more or less.
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katrinaw

Hmmm, some people bail out because they are not ready after all, some bail because of the fear of getting caught out (there are a number of people that just peruse, some may join, others not; some people may feel unsafe), some are just testing and reading, understanding and going away to re-group their understanding.

The support available here is second to non, I don't feel threatened, I am comfortable with myself and all the others here.

We all have a story to tell, we have all been desperately unhappy, some of us have had massive strength which is inspiring.... I think it is for all of this that many come, do a lot of looking and reading, then decide from there.

L Katy
Long term MTF in transition... HRT since ~ 2003...
Journey recommenced Sept 2015  :eusa_clap:... planning FT 2016  :eusa_pray:

Randomly changing 'Katy PIC's'

Live life, embrace life and love life xxx
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stephaniec

I don't know I just find it weird that if you have transitioned at some point in your life and you've been on Susan's and you have a computer in front of you, It would seem to me a normal inclination to check in if only  to see who's still around. I don't know how long I'll be around , but having been here I just can't imagine not taking a fly by if only for a nanosecond .
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katrinaw

Quote from: stephaniec on April 09, 2015, 06:26:26 AM
I don't know I just find it weird that if you have transitioned at some point in your life and you've been on Susan's and you have a computer in front of you, It would seem to me a normal inclination to check in if only  to see who's still around. I don't know how long I'll be around , but having been here I just can't imagine not taking a fly by if only for a nanosecond .

Me too... I joined only last November but the amount going on and the stories and variations on the theme, the funny side of life are all compelling, even when I do transition fully, I can't even imagine giving it up, after all my story is still my life and I believe that all of us can offer support, encouragement and fun to Susan's.

L Katy
Long term MTF in transition... HRT since ~ 2003...
Journey recommenced Sept 2015  :eusa_clap:... planning FT 2016  :eusa_pray:

Randomly changing 'Katy PIC's'

Live life, embrace life and love life xxx
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Dee Marshall

I think some bail out of Susans because they don't feel they fit in or really have the need. Some may ask one question then quietly settle down, then read what we say and not post again because they get their answers without putting themselves out there. One transwoman I know personally posted here on one thread she started and never posted again that I've seen. She passes really well and doesn't worry if she does or doesn't anyway. When I first met her she was with a cis woman. I knew one of them was trans due to circumstances but I couldn't tell which one. Her concerns typically aren't our concerns and most of us are much older.
April 22, 2015, the day of my first face to face pass in gender neutral clothes and no makeup. It may be months to the next one, but I'm good with that!

Being transgender is just a phase. It hardly ever starts before conception and always ends promptly at death.

They say the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. I say, climb aboard!
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Zumbagirl

Quote from: Annabolton on April 08, 2015, 11:58:49 PM
.i wonder like what happens to them usually? Do they transition or start than realize its not for them o something? ..most the trans girls I see and meet do not pass completely even if they have been on hormones for years so I just kinda wonder what happens to all these people as I think being stealth isn't possible for many at least without extensive surgery...my point being I am transitioning very young (started at 17) and many think im passable but transition is very hard and I can't imagine trying to do it alone with no support after the person starts hormones...am I the only one that finds this odd?

When I transitioned I used the community mainly for information. Who are the good electrologists, endocrinologists, therapists, doctors, etc. Someone always has an answer to that question. Then I went and did that thing. The transition process itself was just a giant whirlwind of stuff happening to me personally, and I'm sure you understand it as well. I have not stepped foot in a support group for many many years now, probably 15 if not more years. I wouldn't recognize it anymore. In fact I wouldn't know how to participate to be honest.

I will say that in this community there are definitely types of people who show up (in person or online): The ones who are just playing around, some who will be unable to make that big jump (full time living), people searching for information, a few really serious people, people praying for miracles, people without 2 pennies to rub together, etc. There is a point I personally reached where I woke up one day and realized I didn't need support groups anymore. I was done listening to other people's tran-o-logues. I was all the support I needed. That was probably once I had hit a few months of living full time. That was the last time the TG world has ever seen me in the flesh. I didn't make any big deal about my SRS surgery, it was my own private thing. I didn't want to celebrate or make it into something it wasn't. I just wanted to do it and be left alone, without cheerleaders.

My own experience was that in the "community" there were a lot of people and only a tiny few who were just like me, serious and wanting to successfully get through the whole process without destroying one's life in the process. I could count on 1 hand the people who were serious transitioners, the rest weren't worth wasting a single brain cell on. My presence wasn't going to make a difference. They had to fail on their own and there was nothing anyone could do. Life is like that though.

QuoteI know a lot of people say trans women will transition than just blend in and never post in trans related things again going undetected by society, but I really think this is somewhat of a myth for many.

I personally don't think so, and I feel that it's a sign that their own transition was a success for them. I myself went years and years without any contact with the community. Now, almost 15 years past I have decided to reach back and let others know that there are people out there just like me. Blending in is not as hard as you might think it is. All it takes is time and the willingness to embrace one's true gender.
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Ange

By the way, a lot of people (like me) just read a few threads every day and are done with it. I don't want my transition to become my life. I have a lot of others things to do and I don't have one hour per day to invest in it right now.

I don't post often but I'm still reading and lurking, opening some threads from time to time. I like this forum.
Tell me what your definition of "man" and "woman" is, I'll tell you which I am. Not the other way around.
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Nyctelios

I'm pretty much 1 month into realising I'm transgender. I guess the reason I don't comment much here is I'm still largely unsure what gender I am. I know I'm not cis but that's pretty much it.
Besides that I'm dealing with lots of stuff at the minute. I guess I simply don't make the time or I don't really have anything to say.

I've started exploring but I've barely dipped my toes. The only one in my family who knows is my sister so that stops me doing what I feel most of the time.
I guess I should start posting more :P


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