I've been living as Grace for a whole year now. It has been great, going full time has been the best thing I could have done for my emotional wellbeing. Sure I may be mostly estranged from my father and sister but I guess at least they'll talk to me if they have to. My mother is supportive and has no issue with meeting up with me in public. My friends have been completely accepting and supportive - I think they acknowledge that it was the right thing for me (even if they knew me during my first train wreck attempt in the 1990s). I feel pretty relaxed and comfortable when I'm out and about and presumably most people see and treat me as the gender I feel myself to be.
I think being on HRT for two years in my early 20s helped me with this transition... sometimes I do wonder what I'd look like today if I had stayed on the 'mones back then... not that I'm unhappy with how I look now (although I'd definitely have more hair, lol!!)
I am 49, 6'3" and yet I believe I have had a good transition. I had very low expectations going back into this process in early 2013 after my dysphoria meltdown. No way did I ever expect I'd make this work. And yet somehow...
Definitely having great professional support has helped. Counsellor, endo, doctor, electro and even my psyche... all fantastic.
Fortunately I have been very close to women for many years and that has definitely helped with things like interaction, communication, body language... for the most part I have never felt awkward presenting as female, it was like second nature. On the first day I stepped outside as Grace in early 2014 I expected I'd be utterly freaked out and that everyone would read me instantly... not only did I feel completely natural and at ease I don't think anyone looked twice at me. It was quite an experience and a major revelation that maybe, just maybe, this was actually doable.
In fact, after a few more public outings, that feeling of ease and the joy of being who I wanted to be prompted me to go full time in late March instead of early June 2014. The prodding from a number of ladies here at Susan's also helped embolden me and hasten my schedule too!! :)
Sure it hasn't all been sunbeams and bunny rabbits but by and large the majority of the issues in my life right now have nothing to do with me being trans.
Anyway, the fear of being transgender kept me from being myself for over twenty years. The fear of failing to pass kept me from even trying for twenty years. Not much I can do about that. I'm living for now and living for the future, each day is a just another excellent reason to be alive and live my life to the fullest. Over the next year I'm hoping to finish my electro (huzzah!) and start the process of getting approval for GRS with the possibility of being replumbed by early 2016.
Congrats :D
I'm glad that things have gone so well for you :)
Wow first version had wonderful spelling, yeesh...
Grace you are a living example of how important it is to be you!!
Congrats.
Cindy
Wow one year already congratulations Grace! :D
Can I say your tales was an inspiration to some of us younger girls
Now, where is Jenny 07 when we need to talk to her?
I love hearing positive stories. Congratulations.
Congratulations Grace! I might have only been here a short time, but my first impression of you was that you'd been out as yourself for years. A perfect case of doing the right thing fitting perfectly; - you look good (from what I've seen of your avatar picture) and may it long continue.
Blessings always,
Anne
Hi Grace, what can I say? Congratulations on your "birthday" and "anniversary"
Hope your father does come around and of course your sister... on a personal note you are very encouraging for me and appreciate the support you give... :-*
xoxoxo
L Katy
Quote from: Cindy on March 23, 2015, 04:25:02 AM
Now, where is Jenny 07 when we need to talk to her?
Dying here.... :(
I'm contagious so am in isolation.
Still coughing my lungs out. Nasty.
Hurts badly. See my doctor tomorrow again.
Go Grace. :)
Congratulations Ms Grace - you are truly an inspiration. big Hugs!! We're here for you. Love and Respect - April
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats Grace! sounds like you made the right choice!!
Grants, Grace! I was here only a little while when you jumped in the pool. You've been inspirational. Keep it up! ;)
Well done Grace. If Tony Abbott had any sense he'd award you a Gracehood...........! (Sadly, as you know, he doesn't.)
You are indeed an inspiration- girl power!
Oops!
Congratulations Grace, I hope you have another wonderful year. ;D
Congrats Grace and Happy birthday of sorts. Your very much an inspiration around here.
Mariah
Congrats Grace!
Very inspirational and you look great. Yes stepping out that door for the first time is stressful but nothing happens really does it?
But the words that really resonated with me were:
QuoteIt was quite an experience and a major revelation that maybe, just maybe, this was actually doable.
That was my experience too and it's an amazing feeling...OMG this really can happen!
Quote from: Ms Grace on March 23, 2015, 03:47:32 AM
I've been living as Grace for a whole year now.
Congrats Grace, you're truly an inspiration. :)
Paige
Grace I am so happy for you! It's awesome to read such successes! <3
Congrats hope all continues to go well.
Congratulations and good for you.
Good on you Grace I am hoping that the wife will come round soon and I can go full time in the near future
You look so happy and positive, Grace! :icon_kiss:..........all great outcomes take time; your time is definitely here! :angel:
Kindest,
Deb.
Congratulations girl :)
Congrats Grace! You are simply amazing.
49? Wow I would have thought you were at least ten years younger than that.
Congrats! You look great and it sounds like you're doing great too.
Congrats Grace. :3
I'm so happy for you!!!
Congrats on your one year anniversary! You look really happy! Like a fine wine we just get better with age until we finally uncork that bottle. :-)
Grace,
The happiness shows thru, in pic and text, I'm glad your happy!!!
Many thanks everyone! It's been a very interesting year, that's for sure... better than I could ever have hoped. Just biting the bullet and doing it despite my fears and reservations... wow, totally worth it!
I should add that this site has been invaluable in helping me with that progress too. Sharing stories, hearing others' stories, getting advice has helped so very much.
Way to go Ms. Grace!
Quote from: rosinstraya on March 23, 2015, 07:01:41 AM
Well done Grace. If Tony Abbott had any sense he'd award you a Gracehood...........! (Sadly, as you know, he doesn't.)
You are indeed an inspiration- girl power!
Oops!
VOTE1 GRACE UNITED PARTY
I'm in! ;D
Looking great Ms. Grace!
Congrats Ms. Grace!
Congrats :) I'm just over one year too. It's a big milestone. Well done for being so brave and being the person you truly are!