I just hate it... I hate how I can't be how I want to be. I feel so utterly trapped.
If I could, I would at least talk about transitioning with someone, but I can't. I can't even cross-dress.
I can't go to a gender therapist. I'm on my parents insurance. I don't DARE come out. I can't bear the idea of my family hating me... I would die... and they would disown me, and my future would be ruined as well. I don't think there is a thing I can do.
I just... it's so hard. I guess I have to learn to be content being male. Sometimes I am... other times... most times though, like right now... no. :(
I don't think there's a thing I can do.
In a way I know how you feel because I'm trapped too.
I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better but since I don't we can just be trapped together. -hugs-
*hugs*
I feel for ya broskie. :(
Really... I do. I hate how it has to be this way. It frustrates me so much I want to scream.
I understand.
If anything you will still have the Susans family. :)
Maybe you could be a female ring to help a little bit since it's concealable. Or you could cross dress around halloween
You haven't given any indication of where you are or how old you are, so anything I say will be general.
Can you get your ears pierced? That will at least mark a stage on your journey, and not perhaps be too noticeable.
Also, as I have said before you can use the time to "people watch" to learn how women do things, move, speak etc. That way when you do make changes, you will have a lot of knowledge to make use of. If you can't have magazines or books at home, you could use the local library. Just reading women's mag's made me feel more in touch with my real identity, and women's issues.
It does get better, truly.
I'm 20. I live in New Mexico.
I could do it, technically, but my family (whom I still live with) would inevitably freak out about it.
You have to pace yourself when you transition. I feel impatient at times that I can't live this way anymore. I get the fear of not getting to transition before its too late. I just have to take a deep breat and remember "Rome wasn't built in a day". I am one that waited until late in life to transition. I have no money saved thanks to the economy. When I get a little bit of money together I spend it on electrolysis. I still have a long way to go. I've had less than 80 hours so far. For me, this is important as I can't stand the feel of my beard even hours after shaving. I want it totally gone as quickly as possible. I want the surgery, but that will have to wait a bit. Trying to save up for it. Everything takes time. Set up your own time line and stay with it as much as possible, but it is adjustable too. It is not etched in concrete that certain goals have to be obtained by specific dates. You will find some things come sooned than you might expect and others might take a bit longer to succeed at. Good luck and don't get too frustrated over the delays. Use your friends on the websites to help on the rough days.
If I transitioned, having the best chance to be passable and pretty is very important to me. I would want to do it when young... I wish it would have been possible for me to transition as a teen. Of course it wasn't and I shouldn't dwell on that...
I don't know... the instant I first heard of a sex change (when I was little) I immediately thought "I want that". I want so badly to be regarded as the girl I think I am... that it's becoming so, so difficult to suppress.
That's what I've been doing... trying to suppress it. I know people say I shouldn't do that, but I don't really have much choice, do I? It's so hard and so stressful. I want to cry. I want to scream.
I am a girl. I am a woman. I cannot suppress that aspect of me any longer. I just wish I could be loved and supported, and didn't have to hide that part of me.
I feel the same ... I am more woman than man, and my dream was to be a model, but I do not vent to anyone, keep it to myself because nobody would accept me especially my family ... I wanted so much to be Only what I feel ... I have fears, I'm 23 and I can stay with a man looks for the rest of your life and can not be perfect to be a model but my biggest fear is especially family!!
Quote from: Trixie on April 14, 2012, 10:45:25 PM
I just hate it... I hate how I can't be how I want to be. I feel so utterly trapped.
If I could, I would at least talk about transitioning with someone, but I can't. I can't even cross-dress.
I can't go to a gender therapist. I'm on my parents insurance. I don't DARE come out. I can't bear the idea of my family hating me... I would die... and they would disown me, and my future would be ruined as well. I don't think there is a thing I can do.
I just... it's so hard. I guess I have to learn to be content being male. Sometimes I am... other times... most times though, like right now... no. :(
I don't think there's a thing I can do.
Although not totally in the same boat, I definitely completely sympathize.
I, too, see myself as being limited by a what appears to be an entire lack of opportunity. One: I am eternally , it sometimes seems, constricted by a very small fixed income (no FFS, no electrolysis, no means of relocating away from my past life, etc). At least in your case the finances are there (?): your family has the money. It's merely a matter of acquisition. I also see myself as being too old to possibly have the life I deeply desire--to fully become who I have truly been all my life.
Yet I do not let the seemingly complete entrapment get or keep me down, nor should you.
As at least one method of, at the very least, dealing with your predicament--might I suggest meditation? I mean genuine, mind silencing, deep meditation. A tiny minority of human situations are in truth entirely hopeless. The proponents of meditation say that if it is done properly it can move virtual (or literal, lol) mountains. I can tell you that it can at least make one feel as though this true. Furthermore, I really believe that you need to think outside of the box some. Meditation if done correctly AND persistently will take your mind outside of the box. Give it a shot and some time.
Lastly, time itself sometimes is a solution. Good luck sweetie!
I thought my family would freak out, and they did somewhat, but I dealt with it and they eventually came around. I came out at 27. Just don't do what I did: go hide from yourself and your parents, and get involved in drugs. Yea, it taught me a lot but I'm rather lucky to be alive (the whole selfish point was to eventually die and oh cruel world...OMG as if that'd have been easier on my parents!).
If your dysphoria is THIS bad, then one day you most likely come out, and it won't be easy.
Now this is ONLY MYSELF, but gosh if i were your age knowing what I know now I'd lightly break it to them in some hintish manner. If they refuse to acknowledge it, then I'd flat tell them the truth, and that there is nothing they can do to change who i am! That'd sure have saved them a lot of legal fees, hospital bills, worries and gosh so many tears.
...but it almost had to be this way, or things would have been different, and they wouldn't have begged me to tell the truth about what was wrong that "one last time" when I actually told the truth for once, and thusly I came out!
I know you feel powerless hunny, but the best thing you can do TODAY is to get informed. FIND A LOCAL GROUP FOR SUPPORT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET THERE! GOOGLE THAT JUNK EH! Drive ther, or take train, or maybe even get a ride from your Mum or Dad as subtle way to break it to them. JUST GO!
Most GOOD parents may think their child is being selfish at first, but then in time they realise no, it is they who are behaving selfishly in not allowing their child to live out his/her dreams (not THEIR dreams as parents).
Oh it was tough, but today I have the best relationship with my parents of my life, and their doubt has turned into solid support . Our decisions are all we've got, so please make good ones!
Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 01:33:25 AM
I thought my family would freak out, and they did somewhat, but I dealt with it and they eventually came around. I came out at 27. Just don't do what I did: go hide from yourself and your parents, and get involved in drugs. Yea, it taught me a lot but I'm rather lucky to be alive (the whole selfish point was to eventually die and oh cruel world...OMG as if that'd have been easier on my parents!).
If your dysphoria is THIS bad, then one day you most likely come out, and it won't be easy.
Now this is ONLY MYSELF, but gosh if i were your age knowing what I know now I'd lightly break it to them in some hintish manner. If they refuse to acknowledge it, then I'd flat tell them the truth, and that there is nothing they can do to change who i am! That'd sure have saved them a lot of legal fees, hospital bills, worries and gosh so many tears.
...but it almost had to be this way, or things would have been different, and they wouldn't have begged me to tell the truth about what was wrong that "one last time" when I actually told the truth for once, and thusly I came out!
I know you feel powerless hunny, but the best thing you can do TODAY is to get informed. FIND A LOCAL GROUP FOR SUPPORT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET THERE! GOOGLE THAT JUNK EH! Drive ther, or take train, or maybe even get a ride from your Mum or Dad as subtle way to break it to them. JUST GO!
Most GOOD parents may think their child is being selfish at first, but then in time they realise no, it is they who are behaving selfishly in not allowing their child to live out his/her dreams (not THEIR dreams as parents).
Oh it was tough, but today I have the best relationship with my parents of my life, and their doubt has turned into solid support . Our decisions are all we've got, so please make good ones!
But it is a shock to our family especially our parents ... I have not had courage, just wasting time
Good luck Trixie. I thought I couldn't transition because I was broke and was a head of household and stuff, but I found a way and I feel a lot better for it. I'm not actually doing a lot of what I wish I could do, but I am living male and that is a huge relief. Do what you can to feel okay or be patient with waiting.
Hi Trixie,
We all start somewhere and the firt place is the 'I'll never give up' place. Yes life can look like crap but sometimes we have to start dealing with it. As Karen said starting off slowly can help. Polish your toe nails, a cute ring you can wear in your room even. Clip on ear rings when you are in your room, a bit of lip balm, guys use it as well and you can just say your lips are drying out and cracking, and you say to your self you are putting on lippy. Study other woman your age, and try not to get dysmorphic, how do they sit and walk and talk. All essential practice. What do they wear and how and when. I started wearing mascara from an early age, no one suspected because people don't expect to see mascara on a young 'man' (sorry) not meant rudely. Most people see what they expect to see.
Now, work out a plan. What do you need to transition? A job, independence, money, freedom. How can you get that? Work towards it. Plan. I remember lying in bed crying with a mutilated bottom after being gang raped when I was 16. I had a choice. I had several. I decided to be me and no bastard was going to ruin my life.
It became my mantra, and you can have it as a gift from an Australian sister. It is my life and I can live my life.
Do so. Remember something as well, you have a family here who love and care for you, and understand.
Cindy
Quote from: Reis89 on April 23, 2012, 03:30:36 AM
But it is a shock to our family especially our parents ... I have not had courage, just wasting time
Not always.. What shocked my family is not that I came out as trans, but that it had taken me so long.. My friends all reacted in much the same way. We don't always hide it as well as we think we do...
I'm chatting to my friend VM and I just posted this to her. I had forgotten to take my nail polish off, she replied I bet no one said boo. My reply:
No of course not . I have a a very strong suspicion that the cat doesn't even know where the bag is anymore. So there I was at work wearing female track pants, a cute pink female striped top, (a fashion here), pink runners, pink nail polish, mascara, ear rings, female watch and perfume. I'm pretty sure no one has noticed anything, what do you reckon?
No one said anything.
You will be amazed how accepting people can be. You just have to try.
It is true, people are overwhelmingly more accepting than I had ever expected. Being alone with ones fear is a really tough and dark spot in which to reside.
If there's one thing I have taken from transition it's that things aren't as bad as I make them out to be in my head. I can make a million reasons why I can't or won't do something, but when the time comes and I do it perhaps five of those reasons actually happen.
It's easy to trick ourselves into inaction, but gosh the worst spot in the world is to be running through the what if's in my head. Trust us, once you get the ball rolling it will be SOO WORTH IT!
Quote from: Cindy James on April 23, 2012, 04:23:45 AM
We all start somewhere and the first place is the 'I'll never give up' place. Yes life can look like crap but sometimes we have to start dealing with it. As Karen said starting off slowly can help. Polish your toe nails, a cute ring you can wear in your room even. Clip on ear rings when you are in your room, a bit of lip balm, guys use it as well and you can just say your lips are drying out and cracking, and you say to your self you are putting on lippy. Study other woman your age, and try not to get dysmorphic, how do they sit and walk and talk. All essential practice. What do they wear and how and when. I started wearing mascara from an early age, no one suspected because people don't expect to see mascara on a young 'man' (sorry) not meant rudely. Most people see what they expect to see.
It became my mantra, and you can have it as a gift from an Australian sister. It is my life and I can live my life.
Do so. Remember something as well, you have a family here who love and care for you, and understand.
Cindy
I pass really well even when there are obvious clues, because people aren't expecting to see a trans person. Remember the Hitchhiker's Guide?
And yeah you have to live your life. There's no higher purpose to getting up every day. Living is living. Who you are is kinda vital to that.
Quote from: Cindy James on April 23, 2012, 05:06:48 AM
I'm chatting to my friend VM and I just posted this to her. I had forgotten to take my nail polish off, she replied I bet no one said boo. My reply:
No of course not . I have a a very strong suspicion that the cat doesn't even know where the bag is anymore. So there I was at work wearing female track pants, a cute pink female striped top, (a fashion here), pink runners, pink nail polish, mascara, ear rings, female watch and perfume. I'm pretty sure no one has noticed anything, what do you reckon?
No one said anything.
You will be amazed how accepting people can be. You just have to try.
However, had you worn your bright yellow bunny slippers with that ensemble, you would have been the talk of the town.
How did you know I have yellow bunny slippeers. Are you spying on me? Dangerous thing to do to the Aussie Mafia ;D
Quote from: Cindy James on April 24, 2012, 02:59:06 AM
How did you know I have yellow bunny slippers. Are you spying on me? Dangerous thing to do to the Aussie Mafia ;D
Ya this chick keeps a branding iron. Watch yourself, Jamie.
Gangland...bunnies? :eusa_think: *processes* :laugh:
I'll just heat up the branding iron shall I, Cindy?
Yes please Kelly, the kangaroo brand I think
Quote from: Felix on April 24, 2012, 03:05:23 AM
Ya this chick keeps a branding iron. Watch yourself, Jamie.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2597%2F4017628034_a41b1f799e_o.jpg&hash=a804110bbac408af3587944ccc5fc4158d5c73d8)
I have a confession. I own a pair of these:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lafferty.ca%2Fphotos%2FThings%2Fmoose_slippers.jpg&hash=200e211601058af3056d7063925f11b492c5a200)
They scare the dog.
Cindy, you grab Jamie, I'll apply the branding iron.. Left cheek or right?
Quote from: Jamie D on April 24, 2012, 03:27:23 AM
To be forewarned is to be forearmed
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2597%2F4017628034_a41b1f799e_o.jpg&hash=a804110bbac408af3587944ccc5fc4158d5c73d8)
Hmm toilet fetish gear
Quote from: Jamie D on April 24, 2012, 04:10:34 AM
I have a confession. I own a pair of these:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lafferty.ca%2Fphotos%2FThings%2Fmoose_slippers.jpg&hash=200e211601058af3056d7063925f11b492c5a200)
They scare the dog.
Scare the dog? they scare me!
Quote from: Cindy James on April 24, 2012, 04:12:10 AM
Hmm toilet fetish gear
Protection from a hot kangaroo branding iron!
You ever been to the store wearing all of this?
Quote from: Cindy James on April 24, 2012, 04:26:43 AM
You ever been to the store wearing all of this?
I only feel the need for butt armor when I am around Aussies.
Hmmm ::)
Trixie honey we haven't in any way forgotten you, just welcome to the gang :laugh:. You can chat away to all of us. You can see that we are just normal people doing people stuff. I do know it seems very scary but to be honest, we are very normal people who like to laugh and joke and carry on just like friends do.
OK what is stopping you? You are totally normal as well. There is nothing to be ashamed off. You are you.
So what is the problem? Why can't you discuss stuff with your parents? Is there a school counsellor who you can talk too?
We are here for you hon, even though we have had a few laughs along the way.
So a few more post please.
Hugs
Cindy
My apologies to the OP, Trixie.
This sometimes happens if I am awake too late (it's nearly 3:00 a.m. here)...
or when Cindy has been hitting the sauce. :o
Looks like I'm not the the one who screwed up this time!
Don't always lead with your heart; but always keep the door to your heart opened sweetie.
Quote from: kelly_aus on April 23, 2012, 04:55:20 AM
Not always.. What shocked my family is not that I came out as trans, but that it had taken me so long.. My friends all reacted in much the same way. We don't always hide it as well as we think we do...
I get a lot of this, too. I've not come out to my family yet, but the friends I have come out to have been pretty underwhelmed. I think my favorite response to coming out was the friend who asked, "And this is supposed to change our friendship how, exactly?" and proceeded to address me by my preferred name and pronouns as if she had always known me as being female. :)
Then there is the friend who guessed before being told, even while I was still presenting 24/7 as male. She just asked my wife out of the blue one day,"So, um, is your husband a girl?" She's always been unusually perceptive. It really shook me up for a while, though. I went through a period of thinking everyone who looked at me could see through my disguise and was thinking I was a liar and a freak. I eventually got over that, mostly.
When I came out to my minister, she revealed that she had been thinking for a while that I might be FTM, so the surprise was really only that I'm actually the opposite.
That said,the most closed-minded people I know happen to be related to me, so I haven't really met my biggest challenges yet.