Many of those who transition late in life, while early in transition, do not realize that the physical transition will be the easiest aspect of their transition. The social transition, and learning all the subtle nuances of interpersonal relationships as a woman, is far far more difficult and takes many more years of accumulated, first-hand experience.
You can be an assertive woman if you want. You can be an intimidating woman if you want. But you'll end up pretty lonely, as people generally don't want to be close friends with women who are like that. Try to be less assertive and less intimidating if you can. Just try it out. I used to be quite assertive and stubborn in my old life as a man, but I tried to take on a new personality as a more empathetic woman as I transitioned. I faked it at first, but it seems real now. Now I wonder if all that assertiveness was just an act I put on, and this personality is the real me that was hidden all those years. It certainly feels real. And my friendships are absolutely real.
I am much more happy as a less assertive, but more empathetic woman. And people are much more drawn to me this way, both women as friends and men as lovers. I like it this way.
