The Journey Begins

[Caryn]

Hello Everyone
  Where to start? I guess the beginning is always a good place . Like so many here I noticed I was different at a very young age, but also knew to keep that part of me hidden from the world, to avoid the ugliness of societies judgement. All through my life I struggled being male knowing deep down I wasn't. Many times I wanted to show the world who I was but fear always seemed to stop me, but now more than ever I want to announce to the world I AM CARYN!! accept me for who I am. To that end I finally set up an appointment to see a therapist tomorrow. I am both worried, afraid and really excited (ok that's three ) not sure will this will go from here, but I hope through my journey I can count on the people here for a shoulder to cry on bad days, and someone to share in the good times. I am not sure where this will take me but it has been my one wish all my life to transition to fully female.
( I cant believe I just said that  ) I do have one quick question ( for now ) I am in my late 40's and was wondering if it there is a point where you can not transition fully?
Thank you
   Caryn

[autumn08]

Hi Caryn,


I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm sure many others will. I just wanted to say welcome and that I would be honored to share the good times with you and to be a shoulder to cry on. 

Best of luck at the therapist tomorrow!

[Deborah]

Hey, welcome and good luck with your therapy appointment.  We will all be waiting to hear all about it.  :-). Just relax as best you can and be honest with the therapist about all your feelings.

As to your last question.  Yes, there is a point in life when it's too late to do anything and that's when your dead.  Anytime before that and no, it's not too late.  In your 40s you are still younger than lots of people here, some who have transitioned fully, others to a lesser degree.  It's all about moving to a place where you feel comfortable and happy living again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Asche]

I'm 62, I've just started HRT.  I hope to transition fully, even if I'm not sure what that will look like.

I sure as heck hope it's not too late for me!!

[Christy76]

I'm 39 and just now beginning to live part time as a woman (although I have been out as a woman before just not on a regular basis). I don't think there is any point where it's too late. Back when there was still a support group in the area I met a transwoman who was in her late 60's but had only transitioned a few years before I met her.

[DianneM]

Hi Caryn and welcome....lots if shoulders here believe me - im 57 and just starting transition.. You are a young woman with lots of living to do yet honey...go live it!! Heck...that's how i feel too!!😀😀
Hugs
Dianne
xo

[Debra]

Therapy is the best place to start! =) Good luck! And welcome to a world of accepting yourself!

[Ciara]

Hi Caryn and welcome.
It's never too late to be who you want to be - i.e. yourself. It up to you how far you go with it. No matter what, you will have lots of support here. I've cried on many shoulders at Susan's. I've also shared my happier moments.
Best of luck on your journey.
Ciara.

[Caryn]

Thank you everyone, its so nice to know that there are such caring and compassionate people out there that understand what I'm going through. So I had my first therapy session, told I have depression and gender dysphoria lol go figure  . I'm a bit nervous, the therapist is fresh out of school with her masters with little experience, although she is treating another woman. I hope that her lack of experience doesn't make this rougher than it has to be, although I don't have many choices in my area. To bad this world just cant get over itself and just accept people for who they are, it would make living so much better.

[Ciara]

Too bad this world just cant get over itself and just accept people for who they are, it would make living so much better.

How right you are........if only!!!

[kaitylynn]

You are never too late as long as you draw breath.  Likely you have already started and have no idea you have...at the moment you realized you were different, the transformation began.

Therapy is a great tool.  It can really help you solidify feeling and understandings.  It can also help you to arrive a good path to walk.

The main consideration, welcome to you, Hun!   

[Debra]

So I had my first therapy session, told I have depression and gender dysphoria lol go figure  . I'm a bit nervous, the therapist is fresh out of school with her masters with little experience, although she is treating another woman. I hope that her lack of experience doesn't make this rougher than it has to be, although I don't have many choices in my area.

Sounds like it'll be fine but just keep in mind that if things don't seem to work well with that counselor, you do have other options. There's always another counselor....heck there are even ones you can skype with nowadays.

Sometimes when it comes to counseling in general, people have a bad first time with 1 counselor and completely give up on counseling in general when there are so many different styles and personalities out there for this sort of thing. There is no one way or method.

[Rachel]

I started 3 days before my 51st birthday.

[Sophieraven]

Hi Caryn, Welcome to our little island of Sanity in a sea of madness. If you have a look around on these forums there is a thread about how old are you. It seems that us forty year old's are the young ones on there. You've taken the biggest step and that's to admit what you are, it gets easier from here. Remember we're here to help.
Sophie