Heya, newbie here

[EllieJune]

Hey everyone, I'm Ellenore, feel free to call me Ellie or June. I'm 27 mtf introvert, short, freethinker, and general nerd. I don't know what to say so... I recently moved to the mid-west due to a breakup with my fiance (mostly related to me wanting to transition). I previously lived in California then Arizona and I had plenty of resources, but where I live now I have more personal and economic freedom. Although, I miss the lifestyle there and maybe plan on moving back to Phoenix Az or try out Portland, Or. What ever has the best career for me in IT/Cyber Security.

So I made a game plan for myself to begin my transition before the end of the year. Lately I have been losing my "depression weight" so I can get my physique prepped for hrt. So far I lost 20lbs by cutting delicious foods, lol. I hate having such a stocky/masculine body, I blame the military's gung-ho attitude to "get swole".

I am not out with my family or friends so I know later will be a surprise to all. Ummmm... I don't really have plans to have top or bottom surgeries, but I'm hoping for the best results when it comes to hormones. Welp, i think that's me... I'm very shy so after posting this I'll run and hide.

[Jessica]

Hi Ellie 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's! I'm Jessica! I think getting ready for any change is a good plan.  There are many members that will be happy to give advice if you need it.  You will soon get over your shyness once you feel the family love here and get comfortable.
I see your new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site.

Things that you should read

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[Kendra]

Hello Ellie, welcome to Susan's!

Congratulations at so many levels.  For getting to a weight that's healthier for you in preparation for transition, for developing your career, and making several important decisions for your future.  You seem very determined - I'm confident you will succeed.

Great to see you here!

Kendra

[Allie Bee]

Good job fixing your diet hun.  Its my firm belief [& I kinda think im proof] that the healthier you are, the better & faster your transition goes. Feminization can be approached from many angles, not just HRT:)
Stay healthy as possible, & if you ever need advice, reach out. I too came out & started transitioning at 27^_^
Proud of you for bein you👍🏽💋

[EllieJune]

Thanks everyone. It kind of feels great to part of something since I'm at a place where I have to hide my true self. But baby steps are better then nothing.

[Roll]

Welcome other Ellie!

(Seriously, why do we seem to all gravitate to the same names independently? )

[Cassi]

Welcome other Ellie!

(Seriously, why do we seem to all gravitate to the same names independently? )

Your namesake does have nice brows don't you think?

[V M]

Hi Ellie 

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

Hugs

V M

[Allie Bee]

Thanks everyone. It kind of feels great to part of something since I'm at a place where I have to hide my true self. But baby steps are better then nothing.

Baby steps are the Only way. Especially if you want a healthy & effective transition. Its s frustratingly slow sometimes, but worth it not to rush. Trust i understand that frustration. Dont rush, enjoy it, do everything else you can along the way to help it along (like workin out, eatin well,  takin herbs,  voice training) but dont rush it:)

[Laurie]

  Hi Ellie,

  I'm Laurie, one of those that have their own gravity so I didn't move towards Ellie for a moniker. I thought I  would stop in and say hello. I also want to say welcome to Susan's Place. The door is open so do come on in. I noticed the others just went inside to get comfy and left the door open (as usual)  expecting you to follow without an invitation. Yeah, they usually leave that for me to do. So come on girl let's get on in there and get warm. There we go here let me close that door. I see that at least someone lit a fire in the fireplace. That door over there is where the kitchen is. you might find coffee and hot water for tea. There may be some soda in the fridge if Devyln has drank it all. Oh btw you'll need to be care about going in there may be someone on top of the fridge who has misbehaved. ((St)eph)(a){nie} was the last one up there and found a seeming endless supply of fruity she threw at anyone that she saw. Jessica almost got put up there tonight, but she straightened up. Anyway grab a chair and get comfortable. Sit back and join on in as you feel the need. I am glad you are here.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[JulieAllana]

Hi Ellie,
    I would feel kinda silly welcoming you here as I am a newbie myself.  I just wanted to say I am in a similar place with weight and career (IT/Networks).  I am a month into my acknowledgement as a transgendered person and the baby steps approach is really working for me, although I seem to be taking them rather quickly.  I started out with wearing women's underwear and having my toenails painted under my socks when I went to work, which was really edifying.  I then got some makeup to play with at home.  I then went to the thrift store to get some clothes (don't want to buy new when I am losing so much weight).  Then shaving my body hair (OMG feeling soft silky shaved legs rub against each other makes me feel so feminine!) and finally I snuck out of my house to my therapist appointment in a dress (under a trechcoat while in transit) with LIPSTICK on.  The point is, that each step made apparent another step which I undertook eagerly and with pleasure.   In December I was still in denial and I could have never even contemplated doing ANY of these things.  A dam has busted within me and the woman inside is busting out.

          Cheers!

                    -Julie

[Allie Bee]

Hi Ellie,
    I would feel kinda silly welcoming you here as I am a newbie myself.  I just wanted to say I am in a similar place with weight and career (IT/Networks).  I am a month into my acknowledgement as a transgendered person and the baby steps approach is really working for me, although I seem to be taking them rather quickly.  I started out with wearing women's underwear and having my toenails painted under my socks when I went to work, which was really edifying.  I then got some makeup to play with at home.  I then went to the thrift store to get some clothes (don't want to buy new when I am losing so much weight).  Then shaving my body hair (OMG feeling soft silky shaved legs rub against each other makes me feel so feminine!) and finally I snuck out of my house to my therapist appointment in a dress (under a trechcoat while in transit) with LIPSTICK on.  The point is, that each step made apparent another step which I undertook eagerly and with pleasure.   In December I was still in denial and I could have never even contemplated doing ANY of these things.  A dam has busted within me and the woman inside is busting out.

          Cheers!

                    -Julie

Thats awesome😄
🤔I still remember hiding certain things, like the first time i went to work with a bra on, lol, or eyeliner😮😏 the latter was a Mess😅 but i still wore it proudly:P...it Is an amazing feeling💛

[EllieJune]

Hi Ellie,
    I would feel kinda silly welcoming you here as I am a newbie myself.  I just wanted to say I am in a similar place with weight and career (IT/Networks).  I am a month into my acknowledgement as a transgendered person and the baby steps approach is really working for me, although I seem to be taking them rather quickly.  I started out with wearing women's underwear and having my toenails painted under my socks when I went to work, which was really edifying.  I then got some makeup to play with at home.  I then went to the thrift store to get some clothes (don't want to buy new when I am losing so much weight).  Then shaving my body hair (OMG feeling soft silky shaved legs rub against each other makes me feel so feminine!) and finally I snuck out of my house to my therapist appointment in a dress (under a trechcoat while in transit) with LIPSTICK on.  The point is, that each step made apparent another step which I undertook eagerly and with pleasure.   In December I was still in denial and I could have never even contemplated doing ANY of these things.  A dam has busted within me and the woman inside is busting out.

          Cheers!

                    -Julie

I feel like I'm stuck at the make up phase, lol. I need to find what works for me. But this is almost a 1 for 1 of my game plan in the next few weeks/months. In a few weeks is my birthday and I plan on getting make up done and... dressing up to go out and shopping in the next city over. I'm so scared but I feel excited like I will actually be me.... Just need to work on my voice... blah!

[fleurgirl]

Welcome to the forum, Elle!

[JulieAllana]

I feel like I'm stuck at the make up phase, lol. I need to find what works for me. But this is almost a 1 for 1 of my game plan in the next few weeks/months. In a few weeks is my birthday and I plan on getting make up done and... dressing up to go out and shopping in the next city over. I'm so scared but I feel excited like I will actually be me.... Just need to work on my voice... blah!

Voice!  It just takes practice, LOTS of practice.  There are a bunch of youtube videos that can help you get started.  Also, it is important to listen to recordings of yourself because your voice sounds very different when you hear it from outside of your head.  Also, only practice in little spurts at first, you can strain those muscles that aren't used to doing what you want them to do.  Once your voice started getting "tired" stop until the next day.  With regular practice you will be able to go longer and longer.  If you keep it up, you will start to have little break throughs.  The more you practice the better you will get.  Also, make mental notes to change your pitch when you cough, sneeze, sigh and yawn.

         -Julie

[Cassi]

Voice!  It just takes practice, LOTS of practice.  There are a bunch of youtube videos that can help you get started.  Also, it is important to listen to recordings of yourself because your voice sounds very different when you hear it from outside of your head.  Also, only practice in little spurts at first, you can strain those muscles that aren't used to doing what you want them to do.  Once your voice started getting "tired" stop until the next day.  With regular practice you will be able to go longer and longer.  If you keep it up, you will start to have little break throughs.  The more you practice the better you will get.  Also, make mental notes to change your pitch when you cough, sneeze, sigh and yawn.

         -Julie

Hi Julie!

Thanks for the tips.  I did searches for voice help and only found some that wanted to sell programs.

[JulieAllana]

Here are some of the youtubers that I found helpful when looking for information about voice exercises. I would also search on youtube for trans voice
Zoey Alexandria
Theryn Meyer
deepstealth

Those are just 3 of the youtube users that I viewed, but there are MANY more.  when I search youtube "trans voice" I see LOTS of videos.

[Cassi]

Here are some of the youtubers that I found helpful when looking for information about voice exercises. I would also search on youtube for trans voice
Zoey Alexandria
Theryn Meyer
deepstealth

Those are just 3 of the youtube users that I viewed, but there are MANY more.  when I search youtube "trans voice" I see LOTS of videos.

Thank you Julie!

[Allie Bee]

I learned my voice stuff mostly from YouTube & practiced when home alone or by singing along with Alicia Keys & Sia in the car:P My voice is now one of the main reasons i never get misgendered by strangers.

[Cassi]

I learned my voice stuff mostly from YouTube & practiced when home alone or by singing along with Alicia Keys & Sia in the car:P My voice is now one of the main reasons i never get misgendered by strangers.

Awesome!  I'm working on my head voice