I am very jealous of your transitions  I just don't know if I can do it, with my health , wife , kids, etc.
What does it feel like to be a woman?  How does it feel to have breasts? or a lack of a penis?  How are the emotions?  Just very curious.
Thanks to all who respond.

Well, you won't know until you look into it. Is your health something you can work on? How would your wife react? Kids, depending on the age, are pretty resilient.

I don't know how it feels other than where I'm going feels right. Not enough breasts but I like what I have, still have the other equipment. Emotionally fine, nice not having the anxiety and I seem to have more emotional range.

Well I'm still just starting out but so far its been awesome! As far as how does it feel to transition? I think that would be different from person to person. For me it has been a strange journey the past 5 months since I started therapy. From the first time I went out fully dressed since I was a teenager. Which I totally did not pass! Coming out to family again!and the wild up and downs that caused lets just say might not been so jealous of me around October. But I made it through that test. I started hrt and I have been loving life ever since! My breast have developed faster than I originally thought. Lets just say my tight fitting gym clothes are not really an option these days. What does it feel like to have breast well its different I can tell you that. Just today I accidentally bumped my hand into them lets just say God them things are sensitive! The emotions have been quite an eye opening experience from laughing for no reason to laughing and crying at the same time. But over all my mood has approved greatly  Before I was quiet and kept to myself now I'm more talkative and out going. I love my life now its  far better than it was before. Well I hope this answered some of your questions. There is no need to be jealous I used to be envious of other tran's until I realized what was keeping me from doing what they were doing was me. Just don't give up hope life is what you make it.

I know this is just one person's experience, and I know I'm REALLY new to this, since I just started HRT one month ago.

But let me tell you, for me it was like a complete mental revelation. For my entire adult life, for fifteen years, I have just constantly felt like my brain wasn't working right... felt like I wasn't myself up there, felt like I wasn't happy with my body, had so many problems talking to people, was so introverted and shy and unsure of myself that it drove me crazy. And yet I was so used to that state of existence, so used to that "dull gray drear" feeling in my head where it just felt like something was wrong and I just wasn't getting the enjoyment out of life that I should, that I kind of gave up on it ever getting better.

Little did I know. When I finally went on estrogen for the first time, it was like an absolute revelation. For the first time, I actually felt TRUE mental pleasure. Things tasted better, music sounded better, funny things made me laugh more, and I was finally actually able to cry when I was sad. Oh, god, it's just unfathomable how amazing this was. For the first time in my life, I experienced a true sense of self, a true sense that the thoughts in my head were actually correct, and most importantly of all, a sense of confidence.

I cannot say enough about it. It really does change your life. I didn't realize just how empty my life as a guy was until I went on female hormones for the first time. In just one month, my life has truly been changed forever.

Emotionally, I'd liken it to switching from stereo sound to surround sound with more audio channels. Physically.... thats hard to answer. I mean I finally see me in the mirror but i need to lose some weight. But I don't really feel too different except finally almost at peace.

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What does it feel like to be a woman? 

I don't know how to truly answer this question, except to say I feel like me now. Everything I ever knew about myself, the questioning of my own gender, the doubts, the fears that I faced in my own transition only helped to prove to me that to live a completely female life is for me. To be able to live the life of a woman, physically, emotionally, socially, intimately, bonding, nurturing, it's me. It's the definition of me. To live any other way would be not living.

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How does it feel to have breasts? or a lack of a penis? 

Well I rarely notice my boobs. I still even after all these years find myself comparing me against other women. I guess it goes with the territory.

I guess one of the moments I know I am all girl is when I get up to take a shower. Having breasts and a vagina staring back at me in the mirror only makes me know it's me as far as the differences between penis and vagina, it's the same but opposite? I know that's bit cheeky, but other than the fact that I have to sit to pee, or if I were in the woods and needed to pee, it's more complicated. One place where it's obvious is in the bedroom. I would live a million lives over and over, just to say at that moment I am more than glad I am all girl at that moment.

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  How are the emotions?  Just very curious.

Well the hormones gave me the ability to laugh, cry, be emotional, bitchy, you name it! It's one thing I like the most. I was an emotionless person before, a virtual mister Spock. I was unable to show the world how I felt, now I volunteer it freely, sometimes with people not even asking lol.

Hope that helps.

As the other girls have said it varies and I think maybe reflects the trauma that we have been living and the life that has shaped us.

I can go on about individual things, changes and moods and the overall feeling of being happy, which is euphoric, but I think is largely due to the release of the years of not being myself.

The one thing I would like to mention is I think one of the final stages. To put that into context various people treating people with gender ID issues suggest we go through various stages, one of the final stages being acceptance of one's chosen life role/style/gender/ whatever.

Not everyone agrees with these stages and ir doesn't matter.

A few months back I changed. It was sudden, it was unheralded, I had not practised for it, it just happened.
It may sound silly and even against some of the 'grain' but I realised I was a woman. I was no longer 'trans' anything, I was no longer the guy I had tried to be. I was me.

A rather normal woman. I immediatly noticed that my interactions changed my everything changed I was me. Finally.

How do I feel? Very normal, and I have to admit I don't know what the song and dance was about anymore.

I was also one of those who could never do it. You can look at some of my past posts. There was no way at all in the goddesses seven earths that I could ever ever 'transition'.

It was impossible.

It took 2 years - so far

Cindy

Quote from: Cindy James on February 13, 2013, 01:53:32 AM
A few months back I changed. It was sudden, it was unheralded, I had not practised for it, it just happened.
It may sound silly and even against some of the 'grain' but I realised I was a woman. I was no longer 'trans' anything, I was no longer the guy I had tried to be. I was me.

A rather normal woman. I immediately noticed that my interactions changed my everything changed I was me. Finally.

How do I feel? Very normal, and I have to admit I don't know what the song and dance was about anymore.

Cindy says it far better than I..

Going through transition is incredibly exciting, but not easy.

It's probably like trying to learn at least a few foreign languages all at once. Some come easier than others depending on what you are already used to, but there is still much learning and patience to be had.

For me it's a pretty good metaphor. Before, living as a male, I felt like I was constantly having to translate everything.. from my words, to my mannerisms, style, etc into a male form. It felt very foreign to me, but for a long time I tried to live with it. Now that I am going through transition, I am eager to learn everything I need to know because with every thing that falls into place, I feel much more natural being myself. No more translating!

So, mentally, it has already been a HUGE plus. I feel quicker on my toes socially, more outgoing, and much more free to express my emotions without the worry of seeming "too girly" for a guy or having to act masculine either due to testosterone or to play by social roles.

Physically speaking... "the body is the outer expression of our self, to be improved and worked upon". When I notice physical changes like breast growth, changing facial features, skin changes, etc it brings me nothing but an incredible happiness that I cannot describe in words. I have wanted this secretly for so long, and now it is finally happening! There is still a lot of work to do, though, that is in MY hands. Since I am not blessed with perfectly feminine features, I have to learn how to supplement the things that really don't work in any way possible. But when I figure something out and earn the confidence, it feels like a revelation and I am elated! On to the next thing on the list... Hopefully there will eventually be an end to that feeling, but I do agree that it probably does come with the territory of being a woman. Personally I am okay with that - - I love the feeling of improvement and innovation is something I cherish dearly.

Transition is wonderful. But nobody said it was easy. Some are lucky (most of the time I think I am pretty lucky in a lot of ways), but sometimes I feel that I just want to "get there now" and dysphoria kicks me in the butt pretty hard some days. I have been learning how to deal with that fairly well, though. Transition seems to me the greatest exercise of patience I've ever known. Something to keep in mind.

Figure I should add: I have been on the mones for almost 2.5 months

Oh, and how does it feel to be a woman?? Pffff. It's incredible. I don't know how I could ever go back to the male side. Being a girl rocks.

Question: How does it feel to be a woman?

- Well I feel like I can't really compare to what it feels like to be a man because I've always been this way whether I realized it at the time. I didn't wake up one morning and say I don't want to be a guy anymore, what happened is I just realized that I was a woman on the inside all along.

Q: How does it feel to have breasts?:

-I can't answer this yes =(

Q: Lack of penis?

- Can't answer this yet either

Q: Emotion changes?

-Well, after a month or two of hormones I definitely noticed a huge difference in my emotions. I cry way more, usually a few times a week instead of like twice a year. The overall magnitude of how you feel seems to intensify after taking the hormones in my opinion. I notice when I get irritated, I'm less likely to just be quiet, usually I pounce on some undeserving soul haha.

How does it feel to transition? Awesome! It's a breath of spring grass in a meadow when you've been spending your entire life in a landfill. It takes quite a bit of getting used to, because your entire life you've been treated as a boy and expected to do things that boys would do. Then, all of a sudden if you act a certain way you get some awkward reactions. Once you get into the swing of it all though, all is great and you don't give it any thought at all. At least I don't.

How does it feel to be a girl? Eh, there are a few pros. Quite a few cons, too. I could write a book about it. Boobs get in the way btw, but sex with them is AWESOME! They're extremely sensitive and when a guy rubs them gently it's almost as good as having an orgasm. Men are nice and do things for you readily with a smile. Women on the other hand... lol.... But my best girl friends are awesome and I wouldn't trade that bond for almost anything. Being more vulnerable on the other hand is a pretty big con. I do wish to do stuff with someone now because I just feel safer. Also, many men don't understand the effects of estrogen, so they don't really get it when you get upset over some stuff.

That's a very brief summary. Maybe I'll write that book in a year or two

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on February 13, 2013, 12:26:27 PM
Being more vulnerable on the other hand is a pretty big con. I do wish to do stuff with someone now because I just feel safer.

You bring up a great point that is often overlooked. A man walking down the street is much less of a target than a woman is. I've learned how to grow a set of danger antennas so to speak and avoid putting myself in a position where harm can come to me.

Another thing I never thought of until long after my transition is the possibility of sexual assault or rape. It's not anything I want to have to deal with which is why I turned out rather picky about who I would let close to me sexually speaking.

I hope that doesn't come across as some big negative because it isn't, it's just something I have to think about that I never had to think about before.

Quote from: Zumbagirl on February 13, 2013, 01:38:26 PM
You bring up a great point that is often overlooked. A man walking down the street is much less of a target than a woman is. I've learned how to grow a set of danger antennas so to speak and avoid putting myself in a position where harm can come to me.

Another thing I never thought of until long after my transition is the possibility of sexual assault or rape. It's not anything I want to have to deal with which is why I turned out rather picky about who I would let close to me sexually speaking.

I hope that doesn't come across as some big negative because it isn't, it's just something I have to think about that I never had to think about before.

Totally and completely agree.

I was in fact warned by my psychologists, 'driving that car with those plates make sure you park safely and be aware because you may be a predator magnet'.
Very true, a guy with one two many drinks is a guy with one too many drinks. A woman by herself with one too many drinks is an opportunity.

Quote from: trav8 on February 12, 2013, 10:59:21 PM
What does it feel like to be a woman? 

I just feel a complete person, Im more at peace with myself living a girl's life, Im much more of an emotional person now, more in touch with my feelings, I love the way I changed into an attractive woman, that what my husband says, I love being a woman. The downside is being more vulnerable, Id always get cabs and stay safe. that goes with the terrority.
Its also more expensive being a woman, clothes, shoes, skin care, hair, makeup, nails, different shades of eye shadow, lipstick etc my hair alone cost a small fortune with color, volumizing shampoo, conditioner and hairsprays, the list is endless. Takes my husband about 10mins to get ready, takes me at least an hour but usually takes longer, hubby has 3pairs of shoes, Iv about 30 last time I counted, a pair of shoes to match a bag, Im a woman and I love shoes, no man can understand that.

Quote from: trav8 on February 12, 2013, 10:59:21 PM
  How does it feel to have breasts?

When I had my 2nd breast augmentation I found them heavy for the first few weeks, then they settle down, the biggest feeling was getting use to the men attention, men where always staring at them, that goes for my butt too, my butt got so much bigger, guy attention, that goes with the terrority as well.

Quote from: trav8 on February 12, 2013, 10:59:21 PM
lack of a penis?

The first few months after srs sucks, took me over a year to heal, care and maintenance, its very sureal, I got pains like it was still there, but when its all healed up, finally having a vagina made me feel a complete woman, specially in the bedroom, a woman has the best deal.

Quote from: trav8 on February 12, 2013, 10:59:21 PM
How are the emotions?

Im more emotional, Im now a typical woman, I scream, cry and be a real bitch when Im in a bad mood, when Im in a bitchy mood, hubby stays clear, but then that can be cured with flowers, yes flowers can work, everyman has to press the right buttons with a woman, in spite of all the moods and emotions I still love being a woman.
p

Quote from: Cindy James on February 13, 2013, 04:14:58 PM
a guy with one two many drinks is a guy with one too many drinks. A woman by herself with one too many drinks is an opportunity.

Wise words Cindy, your wisdom knows no limits, I'II have to remember that quote.

Quote from: cheetaking243 on February 13, 2013, 12:28:28 AM
I know this is just one person's experience, and I know I'm REALLY new to this, since I just started HRT one month ago.

But let me tell you, for me it was like a complete mental revelation. For my entire adult life, for fifteen years, I have just constantly felt like my brain wasn't working right... felt like I wasn't myself up there, felt like I wasn't happy with my body, had so many problems talking to people, was so introverted and shy and unsure of myself that it drove me crazy. And yet I was so used to that state of existence, so used to that "dull gray drear" feeling in my head where it just felt like something was wrong and I just wasn't getting the enjoyment out of life that I should, that I kind of gave up on it ever getting better.

Little did I know. When I finally went on estrogen for the first time, it was like an absolute revelation. For the first time, I actually felt TRUE mental pleasure. Things tasted better, music sounded better, funny things made me laugh more, and I was finally actually able to cry when I was sad. Oh, god, it's just unfathomable how amazing this was. For the first time in my life, I experienced a true sense of self, a true sense that the thoughts in my head were actually correct, and most importantly of all, a sense of confidence.

I cannot say enough about it. It really does change your life. I didn't realize just how empty my life as a guy was until I went on female hormones for the first time. In just one month, my life has truly been changed forever.

I know exactly what you mean, I transitioned seven years ago and I remember this feeling VERY clearly. I always called it "starting to see life in colour" or compare it to when you're on a plane and you yawn, and suddenly you can hear so much more clearly, as your ears clear, yet you didn't realise before that you couldn't hear that well before because that's all one knew.

Quote from: pretty pauline on February 13, 2013, 04:43:14 PM
, finally having a vagina made me feel a complete woman, specially in the bedroom, a woman has the best deal.Im more emotional, Im now a typical woman, I scream, cry and be a real bitch when Im in a bad mood, when Im in a bitchy mood, hubby stays clear, but then that can be cured with flowers, yes flowers can work, everyman has to press the right buttons with a woman, in spite of all the moods and emotions I still love being a woman.
p

I totally agree that women get a better deal in the bedroom. Sometimes I do actually enjoy being bitchy