Told my first person recently

[Rikosa]

I had my first meeting with a therapist last Friday and as a result of that, on Saturday I told my first person that I was transgender.  Up until then he knew me as bi and my single status was because relationships were "complicated" due to other factors I didn't elaborate on.

Luckily, he's awesome and I've pretty much been texting him like mad ever since and as a result I've pretty much settled on getting my ears pierced so I can start wearing earrings.  For encouragement to actually go through with it, I just ordered a matching necklace and stud set off Amazon (for private time, I'm not full time yet).  My coworkers are probably going to be surprised next week when I show up with a gender neutral pair of earrings I'll pick up when I get them pierced since I haven't mentioned it at all.

I knew it would be nice having someone to talk to, but I didn't realize it would be this cathartic.  After feeling at odds for my whole life and learning about ->-bleeped-<- about 10 years ago, it's been hard not being able to talk to anyone about it.  Sexual topics (much less gender identity topics) were kind of taboo in my family growing up.  More of an "I won't bring it up" policy from my mom (father passed away when I was a baby).

There's a few more friends I want to tell before I take the leap into planning on telling family, but baby steps seem to work best for me.

[Sabrina]

This is exactly what I did. Slowly let people know as they are ready or worthy or the time was right. No need to rush. Gradually adding things to the wardrobe and mannerisms department is the way to go. Reduces shock of those around you.

[Mariah]

Congrats.

[katrinaw]

Hi Rikosa,

Yeah Baby steps are good, although the big bang approach does work for some, it really does depend on you and how you would handle the bounce back from the big bang approach... a lot to manage in one hit... IMHO

But just telling someone is just so good, it takes such a load off you shoulders and allows you to start to think more clearly.

Congrats

L Katy 

[Rikosa]

Ya, I'm going to continue with baby steps as far as telling people around me goes.  I was debating on telling the family all at once on my birthday coming up in a bit over a month, but that could potentially ruin the day, which wouldn't be all that fun.  Would have been nice to have it be a rebirth-day though.

I'm like super excited to get my ears pierced now though.  There's two tattoo/piercing parlors where I live and they're both open from like 1pm to 9pm so I need to call them and figure out which one I want to go to.  It'll be so nice to be able to wear jewelry sets.

I wish I could start HRT really soon, but after only one therapy appointment and only being out for less than a week, I'm still a ways away from that.  Just out of curiosity, is there any kind of blocker I could see if my therapist can prescribe me to prevent continued body change?  I've been noticing a bit of darkening body hair lately and I'd like to prevent that so I don't have to do more laser/electrolysis (haven't decided which one I want to do yet) treatments for those areas.

My therapist cautioned me that most transgender people live full time for at least a few months before starting HRT, which I knew before seeing her.  Since I'm not ready for full time and probably won't be for a few months, it could be like 6+ months before I can start hormones.

[ana1111]

I think getting my ears pierced could end up being the last step for me in my transition lmao

[Rikosa]

I think getting my ears pierced could end up being the last step for me in my transition lmao

There's a few male coworkers at work who have their ears pierced, and if anyone asks me about it (which I'm sure they will), I can just say that it's been something I've had an interest in getting done for a while.

I think all of my friends would be fine with it and actually it'll surprise my mom the most.  I haven't mentioned it to her for a long time (like 5+ years) and since I talk to her frequently, it'll kind of be an out-of-nowhere thing.  But it'll also be one of the first permanent things I do purely for me because I wanted to do it, so I'm excited.

I also just got shipment confirmation on the jewelry set I ordered and it's supposed to get to my house the same day I was planning on getting my ears pierced. 

[Katiepie]

I'm not going for the pierced ears simply because I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. On a note about wardrobe changes, I had the courage to finally wear my skirt as to when my mom was home. She wasn't surprised in the least, but just commented that I was totally not matching at all, which was true, so I changed into a more fitting tank top, and took off my lime green socks.

Let's all climb aboard the choo choo train to happiness
Kate♥

[Emileeeee]

My therapist cautioned me that most transgender people live full time for at least a few months before starting HRT, which I knew before seeing her.  Since I'm not ready for full time and probably won't be for a few months, it could be like 6+ months before I can start hormones.

I'm getting a letter for them next month and I'm not fulltime, although I am fulltime at home, just not outside the home. I've been to the gas station and grocery shopping as a woman and I drive to friends' houses as a woman as well. That's about it, but I am planning on a low dose.