Hello, I guess :P

[Kirra]

I'm a 19 year old trans-female (Turning 20) in the process of transitioning to female, I've got a gender specialist / therapist that I saw for the first time last week.

I'm unemployed, she mentioned something about getting a job to afford transitioning or something, I've forgotten, I'm hoping that doesn't effect me getting HRT because I should be able to afford it.

Anyways, I'm Kirra, I'm a trans-female stuck in life not sure what the hell to do I've decided to transition because a friend of mine pointed me in the right direction and I'm sick of pretending to be male, my body feels wrong, I hate my male features.

I'm from Adelaide, Australia, and finding it almost impossible to get a job so it's stressing me out a bit.

I should clarify I'm in the process of getting a mental health care plan, I have a trans-friendly doctor and I'll be on anti-depressants for my anxiety and depression, which she diagnosed for me.

The wait feels so long and draining. My parents are transphobic so I'm going to have to move out ASAP sadly, but jobs are so hard to find here, hence the circle of depression.

Now I'm worried about my Adams apple growing before I start HRT if I start HRT, I've got doubts they'll even give me HRT but I guess I've got to wait.

My adams apple isn't noticeable at all, I'm just wondering when does it stop growing? and is 20 too late to start transistioning?

[KiranFox]

Hi and welcome^^

I'm glad to know that you finally started taking steps forward to feel better, to become yourself I know it might be hard, but I really hope you don't encounter big problems on your way to happiness.
As you will notice here, 20 isn't too late to transition at all, It's even considered young (which is great^^)

If you ever need support of any kind, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Susan's Place ^^

[Kendra]

Hello Kirra, welcome to Susan's!

I am so glad you have joined - I have found the community here incredibly helpful in my transition.  I am also MTF, I live in the US near Seattle and have traveled to Australia several times but never made it to Adelaide.  Here on Susan's we are all in the same neighborhood.  I have encountered many of the same things you describe.

I'm glad you are seeing a doctor and a gender therapist, and getting a health plan with transition in mind.  I am totally unqualified to make any sort of medical diagnosis of course, but I think it's possible you might find an HRT prescription reduces the need for antidepressants - just something I hope your doctor takes into consideration. 

If you are almost 20 and your Adam's Apple hasn't grown much I don't think it will suddenly begin growing quickly.  I bet you still have some time.  The main thing is relax, get more comfortable with yourself as you are discovering your true self. 

As you become more comfortable with yourself you might find it easier to solve your job hunt.  I know gender presentation can add a challenge with some employment situations, but the overall impression you want to communicate is confidence and the ability to be your best - and it is so distracting when you can't truly be yourself.  I was never completely comfortable presenting myself as the wrong gender all those past years.  For many of us, presenting somewhere in the middle of the gender spectrum can also work quite well as a temporary/transitional or permanent solution if you are happier that way.  Just some things I have discovered worked for me and I hope might help assure you.

We always provide the following information to new members, and I will add it here for you.

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Kirra I agree with KiranFox - you are definitely in the right place here on Susan's.  Great to see you here!

Kendra

[Dan]

Welcome Kirra!

I'm MTF and live in Qld Australia.

I don't want to denigrate Adelaide but there are so few job options there even for the most educated. It would do you a lot of good to move to another state that offers more opportunities. Not having a job and the independence that goes with it is debilitating. I don't know your educational and training levels, but if they need to be worked on to gain employment, this would be a good time to get that sorted while you wait for HRT to start.

Good that you are gaining help to help you with moving into transition. That is an important and vital step.

See you around!

[Laurie]

Hi Kirra,

  I'm Laurie, MtF. Welcome to Susan's Place. (Hug)  Come on in and have a look around. Having non supporting parents is a very stressful situation for you I am sure. It's a shame not all parents are able to love their children with out boundaries. (I goes the other way too btw) Having support is one of the most important thing a person can have. Being different is never easy.
  I do hope you have success soon in finding that job, with it can come freedom and independence. It's  good that you can get therapy and hopefully you will get HRT but you do need to work on good living conditions.


Welcome again and I hope to see more and better updates from you soon.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Julia1996]

Hi kirra. Welcome to the site. I'm Julia. I'm 19 too.

[V M]

Hi Kirra 

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

Hugs

V M