Transitioning Over 50

[michelleh]

Some random thoughts I watch You Tube as well many times seeing teens to twenty year old transgenders transitioning I think to myself wow they all look so beautiful but, I am really impressed and over joyed by the transformation of older mtf transgenders well. Their isn't a raw deal for anyone because you get to be you period. Sure I know I not that young women who causes the young men to stare in lust. I am a wonderfully happy fun good looking middle age women who is loads of fun. First of all being a women is the complete package whether your a young or middle age women. I would like to look like a Barbie don't get me wrong but, I think being a passing women will do for now. I have seen and know plenty of CIS women who are very average are doing great. I personally will continue to evolve myself into the greatest women possible during and after transition. I am really excited. I will have to overcome a deep male resonance voice and a physically big head along with other challenging male testerone body issues. What is not commonly advertised is some CIS female have some masculine physical characteristics features as well such as a Adam's apple even though it is not as big. My strategy is accentuate my feminine characteristics like my beautiful legs and eyes not worry or fret over what I can't change. I didn't marry my wife before transitioning because she was always perfect physically it was overall beauty.

[Briezy]

Some random thoughts I watch You Tube as well many times seeing teens to twenty year old transgenders transitioning I think to myself wow they all look so beautiful but, I am really impressed and over joyed by the transformation of older mtf transgenders well. Their isn't a raw deal for anyone because you get to be you period. Sure I know I not that young women who causes the young men to stare in lust. I am a wonderfully happy fun good looking middle age women who is loads of fun. First of all being a women is the complete package whether your a young or middle age women. I would like to look like a Barbie don't get me wrong but, I think being a passing women will do for now. I have seen and know plenty of CIS women who are very average are doing great. I personally will continue to evolve myself into the greatest women possible during and after transition. I am really excited. I will have to overcome a deep male resonance voice and a physically big head along with other challenging male testerone body issues. What is not commonly advertised is some CIS female have some masculine physical characteristics features as well such as a Adam's apple even though it is not as big. My strategy is accentuate my feminine characteristics like my beautiful legs and eyes not worry or fret over what I can't change. I didn't marry my wife before transitioning because she was always perfect physically it was overall beauty.

I couldn't agree more. Don't get me wrong, as I look as those young women on youtube I'm much more thrilled for them and the changes that are slowly happening in the world to allow such young people to thrive than I am jealous of them. We all make it in our own time. While I've looked, and researched, and many times nearly ordered hormones online to self medicate, I have never been ready to accept, really accept, myself until now. A few months ago a light bulb went off. There were many factors that lead to this revelation that transitioning could no longer be a theory, but one of the big things that happened was going to a club dressed as myself and looking in the mirror before I left and think "you are so pretty." Age is just a number and you are never too old to look super cute

[michelleh]

Brie,

Beauty is more than a momentary pleasure it is your life. Unfortunately many transgenders feel pressure to pass like me. It will happen but, it takes time with every bad thing there is a good. It has been a pure joy so far.💋


💕Michelle

[rosinstraya]

Although it seems an easy thing to say, we won't get very far comparing how we look with the twentysomethings. The comparison is - how does one feel as an unhappy man compared with a much happier woman?

I began the whole process at 49 pretty much two years ago. In a few respects it has not been easy, but it's still been so much easier than keeping up my decades-long pretence of maleness. I am fortunate to work in government where there are strong laws, policies and guidelines. I am lucky to live in a large cosmopolitan city where diversity is mostly accepted. Most of friends and family have been understanding, although some have clearly had issues of sorts. When we make this decision we don't only challenge ourselves, but also those around us (to a lesser degree).

As Grace said earlier, we often have a certain amount of personal strength, knowledge and experience gathered over the years that people 30 years younger won't have. Our skin may not be as soft (shame!) but it's probably quite thick!

For those in relationships or with children there are some significant challenges and plenty of potential for real conflict, alas. We do have to be prepared to work hard to try and manage these relationships, either to maintain them, improve them, or at any rate accept them.

Physical changes can and do still occur at 50. As ever, it depends on the person. Mental changes have certainly occurred for me, and have helped me a lot as I now feel more attuned to me and not caught up in a perpetual internal fight with myself.

It is worth it.

[JoanneB]

... The comparison is - how does one feel as an unhappy man compared with a much happier woman?

I know I am bad space when I look in the mirror and see "The sad old man". Thankfully, most days it's the joy filled not all that bad looking for an old bat assessment

[Jessika]

Hi,
I just turned 49 in Jan. I'll be back here next year. 

[Miril]

How very encouraging!  As a youngish 57 I have been wondering whether I have waited too long but still determined to move forward through transition at the speed of my wife's acceptance.    I like the comment about "after you're dead" being too late.

One good thing - laser hair removal has also been blasting away all sorts of little age related blemishes, broken capillaries, and the like.   The testosterone blocker also seems to help a tiny bit.   So I guess in one respect, transitioning at a later age does serve to roll the clock back - I dont look a day over 55!

Miril

[Ashley3]

Those who 50 and older. What is your experiences with transitioning? I read so much material that says transitioning after 50 is real hard. ...

Sorry, I'm not only late to my transition but late to this thread. I'm 50. Transition can be difficult at times, yes, but also remarkably rewarding at other times, often in surprising ways such as losing weight (~230 down to ~170), getting the hair right (finally! I can now tell a stylist, in a non-jittery way, that I am bit fem... that was so hard at first, OMG!  ), learning about what works or not, that sort of thing. Seeing progress has me seeing possibilities which offers promise leading to more exploration and it all repeats.

Primary difficulty now is twofold... First there's trying to understand how far I want to take things. Then there's working to pick apart years of repression to discern what is me and what is habit designed to fit in where fitting in is not necessary or even unhealthy. As in "Don't use that gesture because they might think you're gay." That sort of thing. So I'm sort of asking myself, "would my real gestures please stand up?" But it is sort of like asking, "Would the real me please stand up?"

Regarding youtube transitioners, I've gotten so much encouragement from so many who have helped me to understand what's possible and okay. I applaud them...  it takes guts to post a public personal video on youtube. I should know because I've never done it!

I also have to credit those very reliable web sites that have been around for ages (Lynn Conway's site, tsroadmap, etc.). They've always been there with good basic transition info, where, if you're new to transition, that means so so much.

I try to remember the times when all those examples and resources were not available, when online freedom and ability to connect did not exist as it does today.

[Alycya]

Hi, i'm 50, we are on the same boat with the same perplexities about where this boat might lead us to.

BTW, welcome to Susan's, I'm really finding a very good support here, it's a very good place to share doubts and clear up the mind.

Maybe the boat is wiser than us and already knows where to go just floating on the flowing water...

All the best.
Aly

[KarmaGirl]

I will be turning 50 very soon. I transitioned around 4 1/2 years ago.  All I can say is it's been very very very good to me.  I can't complain. 
Your life will twist and turn a tad,but then levels off as you feel more comfortable with new self. Have fun with it. I would also recommend seeing a therapist, who can help guide you through all this.  I did, and it made a world of difference.

I wish you the best!

[barbie]

Sorry, I'm not only late to my transition but late to this thread. I'm 50. Transition can be difficult at times, yes, but also remarkably rewarding at other times, often in surprising ways such as losing weight (~230 down to ~170), getting the hair right (finally! I can now tell a stylist, in a non-jittery way, that I am bit fem... that was so hard at first, OMG!  ), learning about what works or not, that sort of thing. Seeing progress has me seeing possibilities which offers promise leading to more exploration and it all repeats.

Primary difficulty now is twofold... First there's trying to understand how far I want to take things. Then there's working to pick apart years of repression to discern what is me and what is habit designed to fit in where fitting in is not necessary or even unhealthy. As in "Don't use that gesture because they might think you're gay." That sort of thing. So I'm sort of asking myself, "would my real gestures please stand up?" But it is sort of like asking, "Would the real me please stand up?"

Regarding youtube transitioners, I've gotten so much encouragement from so many who have helped me to understand what's possible and okay. I applaud them...  it takes guts to post a public personal video on youtube. I should know because I've never done it!

I also have to credit those very reliable web sites that have been around for ages (Lynn Conway's site, tsroadmap, etc.). They've always been there with good basic transition info, where, if you're new to transition, that means so so much.

I try to remember the times when all those examples and resources were not available, when online freedom and ability to connect did not exist as it does today.

Yes. You are like me. You can enjoy your changes regardless of your age.
BTW, nowadays Facebook friends seem to be tired of seeing my fashion photos.

barbie~~

[Ashley3]

BTW, welcome to Susan's, I'm really finding a very good support here, it's a very good place to share doubts and clear up the mind.

I agree... and welcome too!

Oh, in my parenthetical in my prior post...

...I also have to credit those very reliable web sites that have been around for ages (Lynn Conway's site, tsroadmap, [ADD]susans.org,[/ADD] etc.). They've always been there with good basic transition info, where, if you're new to transition, that means so so much. ...

I should have mentioned susans.org of course... much anonymous searching over the last several years before finally having the courage to join. Maybe a photo eventually, I'm not there yet.

Yes. You are like me. You can enjoy your changes regardless of your age.
BTW, nowadays Facebook friends seem to be tired of seeing my fashion photos. ...

... I've also relaxed on sending pictures out each time I make a nice change. I think it's natural to do that when one begins seeing some positive changes in what can often be unbelievable journey.