I have decided to start taking small steps towards transitioning.  I have finally found a few friends to be open and honest with who are giving me complete support.  I think these friends will provide an anchor for me. 

So I started compiling very small steps I could start taking.  I want to slowly build up, and not rush anything at all.  So I am asking all of you who might have some good advice to chime in.  Everyone has to begin somewhere, and I feel many of you here can prescribe me with the right dose of tips and tricks. 

Here are the very few ideas I have had:

• Be more open about my thoughts and feelings with those who know.  Try to speak about it positively more often.
• Choose a name for my friends to call me.  Also have them refer to me as a she when possible.
• Dress up more often.
• Keep a daily journal to document the happy small things that occur and make me feel good about being a girl.  Also use it as a way to document everything as you transition.

I also am aware that I should probably start looking into finding a counselor/therapist.  Unfortunately there are absolutely none in my city with any experience in this field. 

It is really easy to think about the negatives.  Such as how expensive all this will be and with my current job how I will unlikely be able to afford much.  I am also very afraid to begin doing this in my hometown. I feel like I could move away and do it somewhere new and thus be open with every new person I meet there. 

Also, I have absolutely no idea what I want my name to be.  (I don't want it to be Brenda, I've never really been called that and it's just an internet handle.)

Thanks for any and all help!

<3

Even if you can't find a therapist specialising in gender in your neighbourhood, it doesn't mean that there aren't any.  Suggest you find a an experienced LGB counsellor it you can't find an LGBT counsellor as they are likely to know who is best positioned in your city to help.  Otherwise you could consider a Skype consult with a specialist.  Once in therapy it would be useful to meet other tg folk to build a broader support network.  Depending upon where you are there may be one or more seminars or conferences that you could attend, meet, mix and gain valuable information.  Along the way you might like to try hair removal, perhaps even start laser (it takes a while to get results so an early start does make sense) and start dressing or under dressing depending upon the pace you which to move.  Low dose het would then be the logical next step.  Lots to try and many things to experience.  Just do it at your your pace and only take the next step when you are ready.
Safe travels.
Aisla