Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Voice Therapy and Surgery => Topic started by: oZma on October 16, 2012, 01:11:20 PM

Title: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: oZma on October 16, 2012, 01:11:20 PM
ok  so I just got off the phone with a receptionist lady and I feel f'ing depressed... I was just thinking the whole time how jealous I was of her voice and thinking about how mine barely passes :( ugghhhh I can't stand living like this.  just being constantly aware of the limitations of my femininity. 

this is my voice when talking to myself
Video 16 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG-6iZRGePg#)
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Violet Bloom on October 16, 2012, 01:22:29 PM
  You sound totally normal.  Seeing this video after only pictures and words I'm blown way by just how normal and natural you are as a complete presentation - even better than I expected, especially since I keep hearing you giving yourself so little credit.  I'm not sure what you seek.  There are plenty of women I don't want to sound like or act like.  You seem to be desperately seeking something you don't need to attain.  Ironically your self-doubt may be the most convincing trait that you're a typical female.  Just be yourself.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: eli77 on October 16, 2012, 02:23:26 PM
Um... you sound like any other girl. Like really. I don't even know what I would criticize in your voice. And... that's coming from someone who has been stealth for over a year now, just for reference. And if you want to squeak and scream and whatever, it will come with time.

Also... I'm 28. I just moved to a new city. It's weird and difficult. And the best advice I got was: that's normal. Moving cities is just hard and scary. On top of being full time for such a short time... Six months is nothing. Everything doesn't have to be perfect right away. You are putting a ton of pressure on here. I mean, give yourself a break.

Sometimes with those of us who have it "easy," who are passable and attractive and whatever, it's like we have all these expectations of ourselves to be normal and perfect and okay all the time. But being trans can still be really hard and alienating and it takes a while before you stop feeling like you are walking around with this big secret hanging over you. And that's okay. It's okay to not be okay all the time.

Try to celebrate the things that do go well. My sister, when she was going through a rough time, was like: anything after pulling yourself from bed in the morning is a win. And keep in mind where things were before. I find comparing myself to "where I was a year ago" is more useful for my brain than "normal girl my age" (whatever the hell normal is other than a setting on a washing machine anyway).
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: oZma on October 16, 2012, 02:29:39 PM
thank you for your replies... they help

summing everything together, I'm lonely and it's hard to only think about yourself... your mind plays tricks on you. 

Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Nicolette on October 16, 2012, 04:21:51 PM
Quote from: oZma on October 16, 2012, 02:29:39 PM
thank you for your replies... they help

summing everything together, I'm lonely and it's hard to only think about yourself... your mind plays tricks on you.

Love your voice too. Your sadness makes me  :'(. You need to find a friend in your area you can completely trust and confide in. I'm guessing you're feeling a kind of guilt, a sense that you're being dishonest with others. You want to be upfront with others but are afraid of being rejected. And you can't allow yourself to get close to others because of this barrier. Or something like that.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Kevin Peña on October 16, 2012, 04:28:18 PM
I thought that was a biological female in that video. Holy crap.  :o

Anywho, I can't stand talking to really girly women, but for completely different reasons. Their squeals and loud volume...  :icon_chainsaw:
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: oZma on October 16, 2012, 05:08:49 PM
Quote from: Tesla on October 16, 2012, 04:21:51 PM
Love your voice too. Your sadness makes me  :'(. You need to find a friend in your area you can completely trust and confide in. I'm guessing you're feeling a kind of guilt, a sense that you're being dishonest with others. You want to be upfront with others but are afraid of being rejected. And you can't allow yourself to get close to others because of this barrier. Or something like that.

I think this is exactly it.... thank you for helping me find the words
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Ave on October 16, 2012, 09:32:10 PM
Let me just say that on a purely physical basis, you pass lol.

As for the voice, it's not unpassable but it is a tad low. However, I know a lot of professional white woman in the city who sound exactly like you, in fact, I think I read a study about how women dropped their voice IDK how much to sound more professional, so I think a deeper pitch on a girl signals you have some status.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: JenniL on October 16, 2012, 11:15:18 PM
Nothing wrong with your voice whatsoever. For a moment I thought it was someone else doing the voice but honestly you sound like a majority of the women I work with and I work in a call center pretty much. So I am around all types of girls.

But honestly, you are too hard on yourself, give yourself a little more credit. You sounded totally like a woman to me.

I am pretty sure almost everyone is seeking companionship or long term relationships, which can be hard during transition, but with time it will come. In the meantime, find a friend in your area that you can completely trust and confide in, as Tesla pointed out.

You look great as well girl  :)
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: DanicaCarin on October 27, 2012, 10:53:04 AM
For some reason, I can't watch the video. It says "private". Am I being "silly" or did oZma ban me? :P No really, I would love to hear your voice oZma! From the still image, it looks like you are a CIS female. Everything from your arms, hands, face, hair, ect. You really have gone through a "REMARKABLE" change!

Best,
Dani
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Assoluta on November 07, 2012, 12:24:04 PM
YouTube Hilary Devey from dragons den, Mariela Frostrup or Zarah Leander to hear GG voices lower than most people's here
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Apples Mk.II on November 07, 2012, 12:43:22 PM
http://youtu.be/wCZERXWc_z8 (http://youtu.be/wCZERXWc_z8)


Does this count as low?


Yes, it is a woman.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Nicolette on November 07, 2012, 03:58:46 PM
Quote from: Apple Seed on November 07, 2012, 12:43:22 PM
http://youtu.be/wCZERXWc_z8 (http://youtu.be/wCZERXWc_z8)


Does this count as low?


Yes, it is a woman.

Probably not. All women can lower their pitch lower than they normally use. I knew a woman who could do a Barry White impression. However, it wasn't something she did during normal conversation. Her range normally was quite high.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: rachl on November 09, 2012, 08:15:37 AM
The way we sound to ourselves (and especially in our heads as we speak) is often very, very different from how we sound to others. This has been, and continues to be, a huge mental barrier for me.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Kevin Peña on November 12, 2012, 08:17:01 PM
Quote from: rachl on November 09, 2012, 08:15:37 AM
The way we sound to ourselves (and especially in our heads as we speak) is often very, very different from how we sound to others. This has been, and continues to be, a huge mental barrier for me.

Get a tape recorder.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: rachl on November 14, 2012, 12:57:16 PM
My point is that EVEN WHEN WE HEAR IT FROM A TAPE RECORDER, it will sound different to us than it does to others. It's a mental hurdle: some face the same thing when looking in the mirror.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Kevin Peña on November 14, 2012, 03:03:04 PM
Well, maybe you can get an impartial person to judge your voice in private. Maybe a friend who knows that you're trans. Either that or try to keep an objective mind.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: rachl on November 15, 2012, 09:44:02 AM
...if you're talking to me, I'm not sure why. (I'm not trying to be bitchy.) I'm just trying to help OP understand that people often perceive themselves different than others do, and asking others isn't always enough to get over that mental block.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Kevin Peña on November 15, 2012, 03:14:31 PM
Oh, I thought you were referring to yourself. Also, I never called you bitchy. I apologize for the confusion.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Hopefull on December 01, 2012, 09:01:01 PM
I wonder what i will sound like?  :laugh:
Your voice is only 'good' if you believe it is. I don't quite believe there is any certain voice for a gender.
Women's voices are usually high, but i say USUALLY! Not always.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Epoch on December 01, 2012, 09:32:57 PM
Quote from: DaniStarr on October 27, 2012, 10:53:04 AM
For some reason, I can't watch the video. It says "private". Am I being "silly" or did oZma ban me? :P No really, I would love to hear your voice oZma! From the still image, it looks like you are a CIS female. Everything from your arms, hands, face, hair, ect. You really have gone through a "REMARKABLE" change!

Best,
Dani

You are not crazy, it is listed as private as well. She could have recently changed it, I doubt someone as irrelevant as me would be banned too! Usually banning a user on youtube only keeps them from commenting and such, but you can still view their videos. In this case, it may be possible nobody can view it.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Meshi on December 10, 2012, 07:44:10 AM
Damn girl..what are you soo concerned and worried about??  You are passable. You are full time you are a woman..Quit referring to yourself as "trans" It will be a huge step for you if you quit worrying and just be the woman you are.  All women desire to be with someone and have someone to be close to.  It is not conducive just to TS lol!  You are making too big an issue of this. Relax..You need to be very heappy that you are total and attractive. Yes, you can probably work with the voice.  Try raising it a bit in pitch then bringing it down, but not quit as low as you have it.  Think about how you are pronouncing words and sentences..Women are more defined and you need to be more upbeat in your speech patterns. You have nothing to be depressed about. A lot of women would like to look llike you.  You will find someone in time.  Trust me.
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: oZma on December 14, 2012, 02:02:26 AM
Quote from: Michelle Hayden on December 10, 2012, 07:44:10 AM
Damn girl..what are you soo concerned and worried about??  You are passable. You are full time you are a woman..Quit referring to yourself as "trans" It will be a huge step for you if you quit worrying and just be the woman you are.  All women desire to be with someone and have someone to be close to.  It is not conducive just to TS lol!  You are making too big an issue of this. Relax..You need to be very heappy that you are total and attractive. Yes, you can probably work with the voice.  Try raising it a bit in pitch then bringing it down, but not quit as low as you have it.  Think about how you are pronouncing words and sentences..Women are more defined and you need to be more upbeat in your speech patterns. You have nothing to be depressed about. A lot of women would like to look llike you.  You will find someone in time.  Trust me.

thanks for the kind words!  i had made the video priavate and then unprivatized it i think?  i get self conscious about internet strangers watching me LOL
Title: Re: I can't stand talking to women
Post by: Dweia on December 14, 2012, 05:58:48 AM
For me, you are a female. Passable.

And yes.. a rough "whisky" toned voice might be very sexy  :P

Compared to this, your voice isn't so different.
http://live.wsj.com/video/geena-davis-on-gender-roles-in-films/38F8C219-5376-404C-B7C8-BB496DAA3E2A.html# (http://live.wsj.com/video/geena-davis-on-gender-roles-in-films/38F8C219-5376-404C-B7C8-BB496DAA3E2A.html#)!38F8C219-5376-404C-B7C8-BB496DAA3E2A