coming out

[Wish to be Tiff]

So, it all seems to finally moving forward for me. I never would have thought it but I have actually told more people about me and my desire to be a woman other then my ex-wife. I owe it all from the info and research I have been able to do here it has made me become more comfortable with talking about my thoughts. I was able to tell my 21 year old step son and my boss all in one week. It feels really good to be able to talk about it after so long of shaming myself and being so humiliated by what I thought to be the general standards of what people in society today think of people like us. It went very well with my step son he was very supportive. My boss on the other hand was a little dumb founded and kinda had a lot of dumb questions. But he was helpful in the fact of seeking therapy and giving me time off for therapy appointments. I have even spoke with my ex wife more and she is more then willing to help me shop for make up and clothes as I try my preliminary crossing with out hiding  to find my fashion. I am actually going to do this. I plan on starting my appointments with my therapist asap and as things go I hope to start transition in the near future. Thank you all for your support on my introduction post and for all the info I have gathered by reading others post hear. I'll let you everyone know how it's all going.

         Love you all,
                                 Tiffany

[KristinaM]

Congrats to you for admitting this not only to yourself but to others as well!  Telling others is really liberating isn't it.  It helps you to overcome some of the fear and feel free to express yourself how you really want to around them doesn't it?  :-)

[Mariah]

Congrats on taking the steps you have so far. It's wonderful your ex and boss are supportive enough to help you in what ways they can. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

[Jacqueline]

Tiffany,

Congratulations. From what I have seen and experienced, it is a roller coaster ride. I wish you luck. I have found it a little difficult to out maneuver the shame I felt for years. However, it is all a process and a journey.

I hope you have a good journey. It sounds like you are off to a good start.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Wish to be Tiff]

Thank you all for the much needed support. I know it is going to be a long and hard journey and I am really nervous about it. It's still a challenge for me as well to get over my own self-esteem issues that come along with this, but it is true that the more people I talk to about it and am able to get it off my chest the more liberated I feel. I hope to find it get easier and easier as I go.
           Love you all,
                                 Tiffany

[iKate]

Tiffany,

We all know what a hard journey is this and we are here to hold your hand. The first time I made the therapist appointment I was really fearful. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this. Then when I went in her office I unpacked so much and I did firm up the decision to transition. Some people don't and that's fine too. Seeing a therapist is a good way to help you decide what you want out of all of this.

Remember as well that everything is on your own pace but you're not going to make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. I don't mean to scare you but you will have to be brave and strong throughout this. Don't feel pressured though, but it will often take a leap of faith for things like going out in public. There may be negative and there may be positive. However anytime you need a shoulder to cry on, you can reach out.

I am a parent, career woman, engineer. All of our experiences are different:

Good luck!
Much love
Kate