I love my life.

[jmaxley]

Some positive things...my family hasn't cut ties with me.  One of my sisters has been really accepting.  One of my aunts, who I thought might take it badly, didn't; she just told me she hoped I had others to talk to who'd been through transition so I didn't have to go it alone and had support.  Even though my mom's in denial about it and says she doesn't support me transitioning, she says she still loves me and we still talk and visit occasionally.

I've met a lot of great people too, mostly online, but some in real life too.

It feels great when I'm seen as a guy; that heady, joyous rush when I get called "sir", there's not much in the world that can compare to that.  Looking in the mirror and seeing the flat chest I've always wanted (even if right now I have to use a binder to get it).  It feels great to not have to hide this side of me anymore.

[Maddie Secutura]

-I love not needing FFS.
-I definitely like how I'm finally starting a job in my field and that I'll be able to afford the last big surgery. 
-I love not  being suicidal anymore; cavalier about my life maybe but definitely not suicidal.
-I love my family and friends.  They've all been so supportive when they could have been absolute schmucks about it. 
-I love how no one believes me when I tell them about my past.
-I love being myself.

[LordKAT]

The best part of trans life I have discovered is who my real friends are, and that they are few.

[Brent123]

I love happy stories
My girlfriend loves and accepts me, even after I came out to her as trans. She is always telling me how much she loves me and how her feelings have not changed at all.

But most importantly, I finally feel confident. Everything just feels right. I'm feeling like I'm passing pretty well too. 

[BigDEvs]

You know what? My life HAS been hard, but what does not kill us makes us stronger!

I lost my family for the most part, but gained a new one - girlfriend, son, mom in law, bro in law - all accepting. All love me...Dominick!

I got hurt falling out of my wheelchair and was bed ridden on and off for four years, but I fought back against the pain. I am now back in college pursuing my dreams of being a filmmaker in a competitive motion pictures department! It was hard, but I did it and I love it!

I have been oppressed for being a person with a disability, for being smart, for being fat, for being transgendered. Yet, I now help others. It has made me a passionate activist for those in the GLBT and disability communities! I am grateful that I can help others, based on my own experiences and knowledge in dealing with oppression.

I have found people who love me for me and every day that makes my struggle to get up, in pain, out of bed easier. I love being honest. I love being accepted as Dominick. I love my nephew who never knew me as anything but his uncle Dommy-vomit (as he affectionately calls me!) showing love and acceptance only a child can show - accepting me because he truly sees who I am!

I love teaching my own son about compassion and acceptance and recall fondly the early days of my transition when he would correct his Nana (who would slip and call me she by accident). He would scold her gently and explain Dom is a boy, Nana! That kid is my biggest advocate. How many kids are like that?

Yes, this can be such a hard path, but finally accepting yourself and finding others who accept you is so rewarding!! Having people who love you and are on this journey with you, supporting you makes the ride all the better!

[Cindy]

Good On You BigDEvs,

My wife is in a chair and I know how tough it can be, people ignore you or talk down to you or whatever. But we are all humans on the same path. Why the H**L people can't accept differences as something to be enjoyed and explored rather than something to be despised I will never know.

Oh by the way.

I forgot to post a welcome in your intro.

Welcome; I'm Cindy and live in Adelaide South Australia.

[Tammy Hope]

* Tammy Hope reads OP

* Tammy Hope withdraws from thread quietly

[Cindy]

* Tammy Hope reads OP

* Tammy Hope withdraws from thread quietly

You have lots of people who love you Tammy. No reason to withdraw.

Love and a million kisses

Cindy

[Northern Jane]

The first 24 years of my life were pure hell, fighting through all the ignorance in the 1960's and 70's and transition/SRS cost me everything but I won my freedom.

Life (since then) has been absolutely incredible! I "found myself" with starting over. Life was as easy and natural as falling off a log and I had an awfully good time as a young single gal! For a dumb blond with a high school education, my career really took off a few years after transition, I dated a LOT, married (twice), and it has been a hell of a ride! LOL! In my 37 years in this life I have been astounded how often GG's have said they admire me ... how little they know!  ... and I never thought I would go this far in life.

When I look back at my early years I just can't believe how far I have come and the kind of person I became. I am very proud of myself! 

[blackswan]

The only thing I "lost" when I transitioned was being a fraud. 

23 years later.  Do I love my life?  Damn right I do.

I love my life.  I love my daugher.  I love my husband.

[pebbles]

Benefits are few and far between I'd give almost anything to just wake up Cis tomorrow

On the plus side my relationship with my dad isn't as poor as it once was when I was male... I think my dad saw it as an opportunity to try and be a parent properly. Things aren't close but less estranged.

I guess some of the funny absurd stories I experience are a small benefit. They are so bizarre I mentioned the one where my mother assumed I was sneaking girls in the house at night.

Todays funny story was I was in the toilet (Female) about to leave and then the door flies open and this big male burly builder walks halfway in goes completely red in the face and exclaims loudly.

"OH GOD WRONG TOILET!!" *runs away*

I'm just left there like "o_o' huh?"
Umm I guess I passed...

[LordKAT]

Pebbles,

Thanks for the smile.

[insideontheoutside]

LordKAT, your avatar is busting me up. WIN!

What I love now about life is being able to see it from both sides of the gender playground. That's something not a lot of people can't say. I used to hate being in the middle or male and people treating me as female. But now I see the uniqueness of it.

And though I'm not "transitioning" into anything else, I've found a way to be myself and have confidence in myself.

[ty.to.the.man]

well i have had a fairly easy life bein trans compared to many other people but i do have some days were i absolutely hate being trans. and then i remember all the people at susans who are supporting me (even if they dont know me), and how many other trans people there are out ther! 
i am also grateful that i started out so young cuz im only 12 and im already on hormone blockers.
i am grateful that most of my family has accepted me
i do admit i would be sooooooooooo happy if somehow i became a CIS man
i am grateful that i can go into high skool as a boy soon.

[Saskia]

I have to say my life has been a breeze, even though I did lose certain family members and friends along the way. I transitioned in my 20's. I planned a suitable well paid career in IT and studied at college for the day when an opportunity arose, which it did one year in (lucky or what !!). My colleagues both male and female at work where I transitioned were brilliant and supportive and knew even before they were told by management. It was so easy. Had SRS and even that was a breeze. I had no pain whatsoever, even the surgeon was surprised. I was floating on air. My voice naturally developed without trying too hard and I don't even have to think about it anymore
Passing was easy, so I decided to move away and live in stealth, which is where I am now. My career is great, I've been promoted twice and am now IT Manager for a well known US company. I travel the world, and no one knows about my past which is just the way I like it.
I'm really proud of how it's all turned out. I still have a good head of long hair, still have my hour glass figure and look much younger than my actual age, I have nothing to moan about. My Mum and Dad love me as does my long term partner. So yes I'm an extremely happy woman and thanks for the opportunity to say so. 

[SnailPace]

Today went perfectly.

I got an appointment with a psychiatrist for hormone assessment and I went to my consult for my first tattoo.  And everyone at the tattoo parlor was extremely nice.  The artist even complimented my huge orange jacket.

[justmeinoz]

Anything prior to 18 months ago is a vague blurry memory for the most part, with a few pleasant high points, but since finding my real identity life has been pretty good. 
My immediate family are supportive, except for my daughter who can go months without contact anyway, and I am in good shape job and financially speaking.
I have an endo appointment in early April, and have finished laser facial hair removal.  I have managed to take off a couple of kilos so the fat should re-distribute nicely once I start hormones, and I have found a great fringe-and-sides hairpiece that fools even hairdressers.
I have found supportive therapists who are helpful in exploring what it means to be a woman. I have found a supportive,friendly and helpful group here too. Thanks for the phone contact too Cindy.

And, allowing a little bithcraft  moment, I am going to look hotter than my ex!

[Debra]

Yeah I hear you. As much of the pain I've gone through.....Life is so much better now. So amazing! I sometimes can't believe it. =)

[Izumi]

Nice thread:

What transition means:
Possible Loss of friends
Possible Loss of family
Possible Loss of Career
Possible Loss of LIFE
Medications for the rest of your life
Surgery
Financial Strain
Social Stresses with people you deal with
Depression
Uncertain results

Only Certain Result of Transitioning if done right:
Inner peace

What happened when i transitioned:
Doubled by friends, and got engaged O.O
Temporary lost my dad, but gained him back eventually when slowly the family got used to me
Career Stabilized and with it finances, SRS around the corner
Still alive and kicking.
Still Medications for the rest of life
All previous social stresses disappeared completely
Depression still comes back now and then but longer on HRT the less depressed i am
Worked incredibly hard for 2 years on my body and improved those uncertain results to passable results.
Gained an understanding of the beauty in life and living.

Now that being said, those aren't the benefits of transition, they are the benefits of being at peace with who you are.  Before transition, its you vs yourself and the world, after, its just you vs the world.  Thats a whole lot less stressful. 

Hope everyone's transition goes well.

[Northern Jane]

I have been a loooong time on this side of the fence, 37 years this spring, and my life has been one hundred times MORE that I  had ever imagined but ...

On Sunday I was bored so I went to hang out with my boyfriend in his studio (he is an artist) to help out (a bit) and to be a pest (a bit)  After lunch we were just talking quietly and he was sitting on a stool so I walked up, put my arms around his neck and rested my head against his as he nestled into my bosom and put his arms around my waist. It was so quiet, comfortable, and warm we nearly fell asleep, a perfect fit, and all I could think of was "It doesn't get any better than this!"