Hello JemsMy name is
Sarah B and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place!
I see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well.
Quote from: Jems on September 14, 2024, 09:51:36 AMLong time lurker, first time poster...
Hi I'm Jems from the UK. I've been bouncing around and knocking against the edge of transition for a long time without being able to make the jump. Its been really helpful to read the member's blogs and stories on here.
Long, long, time ago I used to live in a place called 'sunny England', but I digress as usual. It most definitely is helpful in reading other members blogs and stories and you can learn so much about what others have gone through like for instance what you are experiencing.
Quote from: Jems on September 14, 2024, 09:51:36 AMI've been 'out and about' many times but mostly only into safe spaces like the Munch scene. I started seeing a therapist last year and although i'm not sure the therapy was all that useful, I went to all of the appointments 'en femme' which involved at least walking through my city and being out in the normal world etc, instead of just latching onto the fet scene. Going out in the daytime instead of under the cover of darkness...
It was pretty scary to do, yet i feel myself compelled to do it more. So next month with a week in Amsterdam coming up, its a bit of a cliche i know, but i wanted to turn it into a holiday for Jems.
I remember the first two times I went out as Sarah both at Christmas times no less and I could not get enough, I enjoyed it very much travelling across Australia while doing it and of course the following Christmas after the last time I spent as Sarah, it was permanent.
I remember the first time I saw a psychiatrist; I was dressed as a female and extremely nervous. It was my first visit, and to keep it brief, I didn't find the therapy particularly useful. However, I needed to attend those sessions to obtain the necessary letters for my surgery.
If you're planning to pursue similar goals, you will likely need to see therapists as part of the process. There are other members here on Susan's Place who are more familiar with the current state of Gender Identity care in the UK. Feel free to ask questions, and I'm confident that someone will be able to offer you valuable assistance.
Quote from: Jems on September 14, 2024, 09:51:36 AMIf anyone has experience of what Amsterdam is like, and any advice it would be super helpful. One of my biggest issues is the voice - it feels like basically a bit of a lost cause, yet it makes me very dysphoric to hear it. I'm not under any illusions of passing beyond maybe only fleetingly, but my voice means I definitely don't pass. How to deal with that i don't really know. Perhaps you just have to depend on the kindness of strangers?
I have never been outside of Australia, it keeps a tight reign on me, I jest of course, so no I do not know what it is like in Amsterdam.
When it comes to voice training, I didn't have access to the resources available today. My only method was singing along with female singers on a cassette tape and trying to mimic them while travelling to swimming practice and work. When I changed my life around and moved to another city to start working as Sarah, I relied on using a very soft voice.
Today, however, there are many more options at your disposal, including speech therapists, voice surgery, and numerous YouTube resources. So, don't lose hope there are plenty of tools and support available to help you.
Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads. I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new members
In addition members of Susan's will more than likely will discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well.
Take care and all the best for the future.
Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!Best Wishes AlwaysSarah BGlobal Moderator@Lori Dee @Northern Star Girl @Jems
