So I've got this little problem....

[Shy]

'So I've got this little problem' were the exact words that came out of my mouth when I tentatively showed my doc. one painted fingernail. Six months on and i'm out as transexual m2f to all my family, neighbours, pets, psychologists, psychiatrists and anyone else who would care to listen.
I've passed a psyche evaluation and been referred to a gender clinic with letter in hand.
It's been a crazy, scary time, but I feel for the first time in my life I can now finally exhale.....

I'm actually quite shy, hence the user name, so this has all been very much 'out of character' until I realised it wasn't. I just hadn't been presenting to the world as my true self and withdrew into a stupor of shame, anxiety and depression for 56 years. Truth is the real me is actually quite chatty and outgoing. I have a story to tell, but for now i'm just making contact.

Looking forward to getting to know you all, your stories have been an inspiration to me an I wish you all peace and love and all that good stuff with your journeys.

Shy

[Janes Groove]

Welcome to the club. I came out when I was 57 and really haven't looked back since.   It's a wonderful journey that for most of my life I could never have imagined making in a million years.  Absolutely zero regrets.  I know what you mean about being able to finally breathe free air for the first time.  The closet is so suffocating.

[Shy]

Welcome to the club.

Thanks for the welcome Jane Emily.
I'm guessing there are quite a few 50 something late bloomers. Although I knew I was gendered wrong from my earliest memories, and even sort of came out 30 years ago, but it was a different time then and the psychologist I was seeing just brushed it aside. If I only had a time machine........

[Jackie S]

I'm guessing there are quite a few 50 something late bloomers. Although I knew I was gendered wrong from my earliest memories, and even sort of came out 30 years ago, but it was a different time then and the psychologist I was seeing just brushed it aside. If I only had a time machine........

Welcome, Shy! You are correct that there are quite a few "late middle-agers" around here. Some, like you, are new to the site. Some have been here a while. Most have a lot of experiences in common with you. I think you'll find great and caring people here, even with all the baggage we've accumulated over the years.

Congratulations on starting your journey.  Please share it with us as you can.

Hugs,
Jackie

[JeanetteLW]

  Hi Shy,

  I got you beat int the age dept with 64 years under my belt (as I pull up my pants and adjust the suspender and bra straps) Yup I'm older but not the only one here beyond 60. You youngins haven't got a corner on starting late.
  Speaking of starting I started HRT on Dec 4th, 2016 I now have little boobies growing on my chest  They're really cool and something I've wanted for a long time. I can rightly say I knew I wanted to transition a long time ago, (that was a more recent realization) but I knew I wanted boobies and I've known I've envied girls since I was a youngster. I grew up with 5 sisters and often I pined for what they had. I remember going shoe or clothing shopping as a family and having them ask my opinion on some things. Of course I recommended the things I wished I could have. I've been a crossdresser most of my life and wished many many times I could just be a girl and then a woman. But the actual moment I made up my mind to become a woman was almost a spur of the moment decision made when I discovered I could obtain HRT meds and did so.  I as many here will agree highly recommend you do not follow my lead. HRT can be life threatening if not done under a doctor's care.
   The recommended path is to decide it is something you think you want then tell your doctor or a therapist knowledgeable in such matters. Explore your feeling and discover your options with them. When the time is right they will recommend HRT for you if you both agree it is what you want. Me, I got it  all bassackwards. I started, told my doctor and he has proscribe my  HRT (with the VA they can do that w/o having therapy first), soon I'll go see a psychiatrist for initial intake assessment, then hopefully she will recommend a gender therapist.  See bassackwards.

  Oh heck there I went rambling on about myself again when what matters is to welcome you to our lounge, Pull up a cushion, get comfortable, read some stories, join in, share your stories and ask your questions.

   Be welcome Shy. Welcome home.

  Hugs,
   Jeanette

[V M]

Hi Shy 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that we offer to all new members to help them along

Please be sure to review:

Things that you should read

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Reputation rules
  
• News posting & quoting guidelines
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

Hugs

V M

[Shy]

even with all the baggage we've accumulated over the years.

Thanks for the welcome Jackie!
I think I'd finally run out of old suitcases to stuff baggage in so invested in a nice new handbag

[Shy]

   The recommended path is to decide it is something you think you want then tell your doctor or a therapist knowledgeable in such matters. Explore your feeling and discover your options with them. When the time is right they will recommend HRT for you if you both agree it is what you want. Me, I got it  all bassackwards. I started, told my doctor and he has proscribe my  HRT (with the VA they can do that w/o having therapy first), soon I'll go see a psychiatrist for initial intake assessment, then hopefully she will recommend a gender therapist.  See bassackwards.

  Oh heck there I went rambling on about myself again when what matters is to welcome you to our lounge, Pull up a cushion, get comfortable, read some stories, join in, share your stories and ask your questions.

Thanks for the welcome Jeanette

Yes, when I first came out to my Doc. I said I wanted to keep everything in the clinical environment. It's now a waiting game for the gender clinic appointment. I'm going to use that time to get my cholesterol down (inherited genetic problems) and get out running again to make sure i'm as fit as I can be for 'Round 2' of my transition.

I also grieved over my flat chest for much of my life, my body dysphoria is quit high. Great to hear you're becoming more in tune with your own body image as your breasts take shape and you begin to blossom.

I love to hear all your stories as they help me come to terms with my own. It's a win, win in my book, so ramble away girl! When we share, we care. I'm sure i'm going to be doing a lot of it over the coming months.

Lovely to hear from you,

Shy

[JeanetteLW]

 Hi again Shy,

   I just wanted to say; Don't stress too much over a little bit of excess fat. From what I understand you need to have a little bit on board to be "redistributed" once you start HRT. Of course I could be wrong and you should ask your doctor about it. This is just a conclusion I made from reading many and varied  things online that seemed to indicate a little excess could be more beneficial to development over the lean, mean fighting machine physique.
  Imho that seemed to make sense, but then I am no authority.

  Hugs,
   Jeanette

[Shy]

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Thanks for the welcome V M  I'll paw through the links tonight.

[Shy]

   I just wanted to say; Don't stress too much over a little bit of excess fat. From what I understand you need to have a little bit on board to be "redistributed" once you start HRT. Of course I could be wrong and you should ask your doctor about it. This is just a conclusion I made from reading many and varied  things online that seemed to indicate a little excess could be more beneficial to development over the lean, mean fighting machine physique.
  Imho that seemed to make sense, but then I am no authority.

Thanks for the info jeanette. Good to know I can sneak a bit of chocolate every now and then. I think bodyweight is  going to be a balancing act for a while, but i'm up for the challenge, especially if extra pud is the motivation.

I've actually been a distance runner for many years, it's what's kept me sane, and is my passion. I'm only a few pounds over, but have lost a lot of fitness over the past few months with everything that's been happening in my life.

Things are going to change though, there's no denying that. All of a sudden sports bras and dayglo lycra are pinging on my radar. I'm sure my body will find it's level when I finally start HRT. I certainly won't miss the muscle gain, a big dysphoria trigger for me, even if my pace drops significantly I won't miss that.

Thanks again for the help, this is finally happening. What a journey we have, makes any marathon seem like a stroll in the park.

Peace and good wishes,

shy

[Georgette]

I'm guessing there are quite a few 50 something late bloomers. Although I knew I was gendered wrong from my earliest memories, and even sort of came out 30 years ago, but it was a different time then and the psychologist I was seeing just brushed it aside.

Welcome Shy
Yes things were quite different 30 or in my case 40 years ago.  I was lucky that I found some others that were also going thru all this.  I was able to go thru all with friends.

Since I came back to the LGBT groups, I have found others that knew me back then but weren't ready yet, but now are going thru it.  So many in their 40s-60s.  Just keep looking for others that can help you along the way.

[Shy]

Welcome Shy
Yes things were quite different 30 or in my case 40 years ago.  I was lucky that I found some others that were also going thru all this.  I was able to go thru all with friends.

Since I came back to the LGBT groups, I have found others that knew me back then but weren't ready yet, but now are going thru it.  So many in their 40s-60s.  Just keep looking for others that can help you along the way.

Thanks for the welcome Georgette. You look amazing!
I've just attended the local trans group for the first time. Actually it's the first time i've socialised in many years, so it was a bit strange and scary for me to meet new people. I've lost many of my social skills, but I can see these girls will straighten me out pretty sharpish. They were a wonderful, welcoming bunch!

Peace,

shy