Hello All

[AvaNovum]

Greetings;
I am a 60 year old Southern California native Transgender woman and found Susan's Place when I was first beginning to accept my true being. I began my medical transition December 2017 after three years of intense therapy attempting to save a nine year marriage.  I came out to family, friends, and coworkers soon after.  I have been full time since November 2018.
The feeling that something just wasn't right had plagued me for decades.  I had been to therapists but couldn't find the voice to say what really was eating my soul. I haltingly came out over a period of years trying to hold on to a familiar but painful role I played since I was a child.  My partner of 9 years telling me they wanted a divorce removed the last excuse I had to denying what I then knew was my true self. Transitioning has been a lifesaver.  All the depression and anxiety I felt since I was a child disappeared almost overnight.
It has been a wonderful journey so far and I am looking forward to truly living my life, not just existing.

As a side note:
My public introduction to the Transgender community was volunteering for the Ventura County Transgender Day of Remembrance in 2016. It was such an affirming experience to meet so many people who had stories similar to mine but sobering to memorialize those who had been lost. 

[V M]

Hi Ava Novum 

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

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

Hugs

V M

[Northern Star Girl]

Greetings;
I am a 60 year old Southern California native Transgender woman and found Susan's Place when I was first beginning to accept my true being. I began my medical transition December 2017 after three years of intense therapy attempting to save a nine year marriage.  I came out to family, friends, and coworkers soon after.  I have been full time since November 2018.
The feeling that something just wasn't right had plagued me for decades.  I had been to therapists but couldn't find the voice to say what really was eating my soul. I haltingly came out over a period of years trying to hold on to a familiar but painful role I played since I was a child.  My partner of 9 years telling me they wanted a divorce removed the last excuse I had to denying what I then knew was my true self. Transitioning has been a lifesaver.  All the depression and anxiety I felt since I was a child disappeared almost overnight.
It has been a wonderful journey so far and I am looking forward to truly living my life, not just existing.

As a side note:
My public introduction to the Transgender community was volunteering for the Ventura County Transgender Day of Remembrance in 2016. It was such an affirming experience to meet so many people who had stories similar to mine but sobering to memorialize those who had been lost.

@AvaNovum     
Dear AvaNovum:
     I am happy to see that you signed up as a member of Susan's Place and that you have now posted in the Forums.

    As you continue to post here you will be able to exchange thoughts and comments with others that are experiencing many of the same things that you mentioned in your Introduction.

    This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.

    I see that our lovely member  @V M  has already Officially Welcomed you,
but please allow me to also warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.

    As you should be aware you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
     ***There is a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new like-minded friends here. 

    Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace.
   
    There is information and important LINKS that  V M included below her Welcome Message to you.   You will find information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

[Susan R]

Hello AvaNovum, it's a pleasure to meet you.  I'm your age and it took me my entire life to figure this stuff out.  Starting HRT has all but stopped my gender dysphoria and it's been one of the most freeing things I've done.  I wish you the best on your continued journey and look forward to hearing more about it in the future.

Susan R🌷

[Donica]

Hi my Dear Ava! Welcome to Susan's Place! I'm so glad you joined. I see you have been welcomed by our very warm and lovely V M, Alaskan Danielle and Susan R. As Danielle mentioned, there are many like minded folks here with a wealth of information and support. I'm looking forward to sharing our journeys and support together.

Hugs Dear Ava!
Donica.

[ChrissyRyan]

AvaNovum,


     Welcome!


Chrissy

[debrahelen]

Hello AvaNovum,
     Welcome!

Deb

[Zoey421]

@AvaNovum, welcome to Susan's Place. I came out MtF in November 2018, going through a separation, and moving to a new apartment and while all of this has stress attached it, I am happy, content, more at ease with myself and believe the separation, which was partly a result of me being transgendered, will be better for both my wife and me.

I'm glad to hear you are happier now with your true self. Get involved in the forum; it's is a great community.

Hugs Zoey xoxo

[Beverly Anne]

All the depression and anxiety I felt since I was a child disappeared almost overnight.

The same for me, Ava. After years of therapy for an unhappiness I couldn't solve and being on anxiety and anti-depression medication for many years, I am now free of depression and anxiety and living abundantly happy. Congratulations on your new wonderful life!

[Jessica]

Hi Ava 🌸💕🌸
I entirely understand going through life knowing that something is not quite right.
Starting later in life is hard to do (I started at 61) after you had built a facade around your persona that made society comfortable, then needing to relearn new social skills to defeat that facade is not easy.

It's not easy for anyone involved.

With myself, I had a marriage of 37 years that I struggle to find a balance between the needs of myself and my wife.  I kinda envy your ability to step away from that after your wife made her decision, but I have much invested in mine after all this time.

I'm looking forward to meeting you on the West Coast Road Trip in September.
Add your comments on this thread if you would like.  September West Coast Roadtrip

Hugs and smiles from another California girl

[Sophiaprincess2019]

Ava, hello and welcome to Susan's Place. I'm soooooo glad you found us here. I'm also happy because I also have a similar story: took me 40 years to convince myself I wasn't crazy or going through a phase. I'm happier than ever and I know you will be also as the journey continues. Best of luck.

Sophia