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I don't know who i am

Started by freebird, March 13, 2008, 08:07:06 PM

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freebird

Hello everyone! I will call myself Martine and i'm 21 years old from Norway(Real name is Martin).. And I don't know who i am. I will tell you a little about my life, as i feel it is important in understanding who i am. I am very confused about my gender. I have been so for a couple of years, and i found this site via the world of warcraft forums(haha, yes actually..) When i was around 10, i wasn't with the other boys in school, i was more with the girls a couple of years older than me, and i enjoyed hanging out with them, and doing girly stuff. Ofcourse, people laughed at me for that, and i was quite alot bullied in primary and secondary school. During my puberty, i was in to girls. I've never really been in love with either girls or boys, but i've had a clear attraction to girls. Some boys though, really made me wonder if i was gay.  During my friendship with girls, we've made jokes about "hey, let's put make up on you, martin!, that would be fun!" Actually, i wanted to do make-up, but as a male i had to hide this side of me, and act like i didn't want make up. I've also sometimes tried on girl clothes, and it made me feel more like a woman. I now live at my parents house, since i'm studying at the local school, so no privacy for crossdressing here.. And i really think kittens are SUPER-CUTE! :)

I really feel like a girl inside, but on the outside i'm a male. And i actually act like a male too, because i guess that's what everyone expects of me. I'm quite interested in computers and so on, quite the contrary to "girly interests". I've never really liked sports, but recently i've begun to do some weightlifting and dieting to loose weight. When i'm with good friends, i sometimes feel comfortable as a man, but when i'm alone, i let my thoughts fly, and try to imagine how life as a woman would be. How would my friends and family react, and so on.

Sorry if this post is a little messy, i've never been really good with writing stuff and organizing.. Anyways, i don't know if i'm supposed to be male or female, but i think i'm becoming more and more female in my head, if you understand.. Supposedly i found out about my identity, it would be impossible for me to "come out of the closet" where i live, because it's a village with around 4000 people, so if one knows, everyone does. Within the next year i'm moving to a town which is like 50 000 in population, so then that problem disappears.. And a new one comes; telling my family. I've never had a close relationship with my  family, and i dare not even think about how it would be to tell them about this.. My mother has recently got cancer, and this would absolutely put alot more strain on her, and i do not wish for that.

Is there any way to find out who i am, except for a therapist? There are no such therapists in this area i live in, so it would be hard to come up with an excuse to travel to a place where there is one.. Atleast i don't think there is one here. I don't really know.
I like to play with the thought of me living a life as a woman, and i certainly like how that feels.

Now, a few questions, if anyone cares to answer :p

1, If i go through with all this, and when the SRS comes, how is the sexual side of being a woman? Is it non-existant, destroyed, or is it "working" down there, if you know what i mean..

2, How will changing be? I mean, will people be able to look at you and say, "hey, there's a transgender!" or will they just don't be able to classify me as either male or female? Going out around people, will they glare and wonder if that's a boy in girl clothes..

3, Telling people at work. Will i perhaps get some time off because of this, how are my colleagues going to handle it? I would feel so embarassed, because it's the way things work here in norway, atleast where i live.. People judge other people so fast it's ridicilous. If there are other norwegians here, please send me a PM so we can talk:)

This post became rather long, i'm sorry :p but i needed to get things off of my chest..
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Chaunte

Freebird / Martine,

First, welcome to Susan's.  When you have a moment, why not go to the Introductions page and tell us all about yourself.

You have begun a long journey of discovery - a journey that only you can take.  It is filled with wonders and frought with peril.  And, to be honest, it really is not a journey you can do alone.

In my opinion, the only way to explore these feelings and resolve your confusion is with a counselor.  A counselor is there to focus the microscope on your soul and let you take a long, honest look at it.  It is not easy, nor is it painless.  But it is well worth the time and expense.

All the questions you asked are important.  However, I am going to refrain from answering them, for the answers are irrelevant.  And after working with a counselor for a while, you may understand why I answered as I did.

I would suggest contacting a local LGBT organization and ask if there are any counselors in your area that specilize in gender identity.  That, in my opinion, is the first step.

Godspeed.

Chaunte
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RebeccaFog

Hi Martine,

    I guess I don't have any good advice except to say that you are not the only one who has had this struggle.  I think finding and LGBT group is a good idea, but you seem to really want no one to know about you, so it would have to be out of town I guess. Maybe there's a local group that respects absolute privacy, though.  It's just hard to be private in a small group of 4,000 people.

   Maybe someone else has an idea.   You can come here and express yourself while trying to figure out who you are.  This is a safe and fun place.  It should help you to not feel so alone.
   If you do decide to talk to someone you know, just remember that there is nothing wrong with you.   Don't ever allow anyone to make you feel bad.  You have every right to be your true self.


Rebis
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freebird

Thanks for the replies.

And thanks for the welcome, Chaunte. Yes, this journey would be impossible on my own.. And i don't even know where to start. I'd REALLY like to get in contact with other norwegians that use these forums, it would mean alot to me, and it would be very helpful.

And you're right on spot Rebis, i do not want anyone in the village i live in to know this about me. The reason is, as i said in my first post: that it's a place filled with prejudice and racists(my best friends mom is the biggest racist i know). And i have absolutely no idea whatsoever where i can find such a counselor, or small, private community groups. I'm terrified to death of telling anyone, and it will be _extremely_ hard to open up even to a counselor.. If i ever manage to do that. I really do not know who i am anymore. I can't even tell based on my personality. I'm very feminine inside, when i'm alone. And to other people, i show my masculine side(not very masculine either, to be honest). I'm don't know what to do.. :( And i feel so alone. I have never, ever met a TG, but i would definately like to have a conversation with one who has been through or is going through this..
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Suzy

Hi, Martine!

Welcome to the right place to explore these issues.  When you realize that there are lots of people here who have felt and thought the same thing, it will be a great feeling.  You are not nearly as alone as you think you are.

Yes, this is a scary business, but there are sympathetic ears here and even virtual shoulders to lean you head on. 

The tip I would offer you at this moment is to take it one day at a time, and look for the opportunities to enjoy this process of discovery.  If you do not enjoy it, why would you even want to do it? 

I look forward to hearing more from you soon.

Kristi
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freebird

Hello Kristi, and thanks for the reply :)
Well, at the moment i feel alone, i can't really seem to connect to people on the internet.. However, i will continue to browse these forums, to gain a little more understanding of this situation. I'm certain i would enjoy it. I think i need a counselor of some sort..  :-\

Posted on: March 14, 2008, 06:35:56 PM
Hey ya'll, i've been doing _some_ progress.. Though i cannot do exactly as i want since i live at my parents place until the summer. Today i've bought some make up and clothes! I'm so proud! A few months ago, i began saving my hair, so in a few months i'll have reasonably long hair. i don't know whether or not i'll be able to pass as a female.. But i'll sure as hell try!

The next step is finding me a counselor..(hard part) i have no idea about that :p Does anyone know how i can find one?
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foreversarah

Hi

It all sounds great. Well done.

Sarah
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irfakt

Quote from: freebird on March 13, 2008, 08:07:06 PM
and i found this site via the world of warcraft forums(haha, yes actually..)

Looking at the date of your post, and the fact that you're from Europe (WoW EU and WoW US have different forums.), I'm assuming you found this place through the topic on those forums I created?  :P
It really is a small world after all.

To be honest, I'm pretty much in the same situation as you (Only I'm 18 and live in a far worse, "more conservative" place.), so I can't really help you out with advices, but I hope you'll do what's best for you.
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freebird

Quote from: irfakt on March 21, 2008, 11:59:32 AM
Quote from: freebird on March 13, 2008, 08:07:06 PM
and i found this site via the world of warcraft forums(haha, yes actually..)

Looking at the date of your post, and the fact that you're from Europe (WoW EU and WoW US have different forums.), I'm assuming you found this place through the topic on those forums I created?  :P
It really is a small world after all.

To be honest, I'm pretty much in the same situation as you (Only I'm 18 and live in a far worse, "more conservative" place.), so I can't really help you out with advices, but I hope you'll do what's best for you.

That is correct :) These forums have been really helpful to me, i read them everyday! I just have to wait until i move to get started..
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