I've been on estrogen over two months .I feel truly really good about my self. I'm totally hoping things keep improving as I continue transition. there's no way I'm turning back. My breasts continue to improve and feels so great to have that balance on the upper part of my body. I was wondering though if any body experiences  That sense of self I feel while I'm lying  down and especially  in the morning while I'm still lying there thinking.  I feel this real presence  of femininity or femaleness through my whole being. I envision myself in my mind as totally female like I always wanted. It just seems the estrogen is showing me some thing very beautiful. I don't know, I was just wondering if estrogen effects others similarly .

Honestly, I don't feel too different since I have taken hormones.  Most of the classic personality shifts haven't really effected me.  I've always been a very emotional and sensitive person, so there wasn't much to change in that department.  And my thought patterns always seemed similar to other girls in my opinion.  However, I have been told by others that I'm much more confident, open, talkative, and feminine since I have started.  Personally, I think that has more to do with me feeling more comfortable with myself than a huge hormonal shift.

Having said that, there are definitely changes that have occurred, and I definitely relate to what you are saying here.  For example, instead of feeling like a girl stuck in a boys body, I just feel like a girl.  There is no longer a huge shame factor and now I feel really content and happy to express myself for who I am.  I don't really desire to hide what I feel or to act in a way that I don't wish to.  There is a sense of freedom and security about being the person I am.  And I'm beginning to like myself and enjoy expressing who that is without fear or shame.  Perhaps that's why others see a change and I don't.  I've always been the same person, but now the real me is starting to come through (even if that's happening slowly and needs more of a push on my end). So, if that's what you mean, I can definitely relate. 

I can't say I've noticed a real shift in my self-identity - I still feel like the same person. (Which is annoying, as my self-image hasn't shifted past how I looked on day one.)

I am more emotional by far, and some thought processes have shifted. I just wish the little picture in my head would catch up.

I definitely feel this. It's like living in a fog because of the testosterone, and then coming out of it and seeing myself clearly for the first time. It's actually difficult for me to see a guy in the mirror anymore. In fact, last night I was looking at myself in the mirror, topless, and just seeing my hair and breasts, and lack of facial hair.. I easily saw a woman, and this profound realization that I'm actually female now settled in. Despite having a long way to go, I feel like I'm far enough along to not qualify as male anymore.

And as for the mental and emotional effects, I really feel quite different, which is surprising because I too was already quite emotional and sensitive. But as a guy I bottled things up, and it's nice that the hormones have been preventing me from doing that anymore. Even though I sometimes feel a little too emotional, it's still a welcome change. Also, my perspective on things have shifted to 'female POV', which really surprised me. I'm almost disgusted by my mindset and behaviours as a guy.

My therapist stopped my HRT after a little over three months being on it. Now I know why I loved it. Since being off of it I am tense, have a constant headache, am over reactive physically and all the other bad stuff "T" does to a body. YUCK! If you think for a minute there are no changes while on "E", just stop it for a while. You will see just how MANY changes there were. By the way, YES, looking for a new therapist who uses WPATH and not personal opinion. "E" does far more than you realize! I need it back bad.