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Workplace Anxiety

Started by AmandaDanielle, October 18, 2015, 02:55:29 PM

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AmandaDanielle

I have always considered myself feminine. I look for the the softer side of life. I know clothes, makeup and looks are not everything... it is a state of being. I have always felt as if i fit somewhere out in-between genders floating by myself. Comfortable around women and more open with them than guys. I was no more male than i was female, but always leaned toward female. I identified with girls so much better and always felt when i was around guys that i didn't belong. I was emotionless, full of rage and depressed all the time. My therapist has helped me significantly to put all of this in perspective however, my personal and work life still remain separate. I have admitted to myself who i want to become but I still go back and forth on whether or not this is essential to my happiness as it relates to my career. Is my happiness important enough to throw away years of hard work?  I work in an uber-masculine workplace and I cannot even begin to wrap my head around coming out at work for that reason.

I have been on hormones for four weeks now and i honestly feel so much happier. I know i am on the right path but i have so much anxiety when it comes to work.  It took me so long to admit to myself that i was transgender or that i even needed to be a woman... now that i have the world seems like an entirely new experience but it does not include my current workplace.

Do any of you have any advice you can impart on me seeing as you have been through it already? I would appreciate any you can give.
35 Years of living the wrong life, finally making it right  :)









"Don't expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they haven't walked your path." -Unknown

"Those that matter don't mind... Those that mind don't matter"
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Ms Grace

OK, so it's an uber masculine work place. What is that exactly? Do any women work there? I presume so and presume they are not uber masculine. Coming out at work is an issue that many trans people face about their transition. I've seen quite a few say the same as you and then they went on to transition successfully at work. Many are still on the forum and I hope they reply.

You say you don't want to throw away years of hard work but one would hope that if you are an asset to the company then they will still want your skill, experience and expertise. If not, there is most likely somewhere else that does.

Transition usually means you realign with the women who work there and even in an masculine workplace that would be no exception. Yes, you may very well lose a lot of male bonding time and chest thumping/bumping that goes on in those places, but that has more to  do with the male/female dynamic than anything else.

Also, you might find, once you are on HRT for a while, you have less interested in an uber masculine workplace anyway.

I'd suggest that instead of getting anxious you look into the policy the company has (if any) around trans people and transition and start working towards the likelihood of transition at work. Ask questions on the forum for more feedback.
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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jainie marlena

when you do this be patient with all people and even yourself. It takes time to work out how you feel about it and also those around you are going to fall behind as their minds begin to transition about you. Yes, I have learned that the world around me is in transition just as I am. I am there to help them along the way as their new understanding comes. yeppers! I work in a department of nothing but men. it was a scary mess for me having no idea what to expect but over time I realized that myself image has bigger play in this than what knew. A woman is at the core of my being and it was going to be this that they see. LOL.:) it has been funny watching them change there own minds over time but hearing my name and she and her come out of their mouths has been amazing but it took time for them also. I realize all of the beliefs, ideas, thoughts that I have pushed out of my thinking about who I am is effecting the thinking of people around me also. We effect everyone around us. I broke it down in these words. Confusion is the beginning of clarity. so give their minds time to rearrange itself. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!

AmandaDanielle

Ms. Grace,

Yes i do work with women but they are not part of my everyday dynamic. I get along with them really well when i am in the office. To be completely honest, I have created this over masculine facade/character i have played for a long time... i guess to over compensate. 95% of the colleague i have are men and they all think i am a manly man. This would totally blow their mind and i am nervous to be ostracized by the people i have to work with everyday. I deal with a lot of male clients and am afraid they will no longer want to work with me when i come out.
35 Years of living the wrong life, finally making it right  :)









"Don't expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they haven't walked your path." -Unknown

"Those that matter don't mind... Those that mind don't matter"
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