A bit over 100 days ago I decided June 4 was going to be my first day living full time as Grace. The decision for that specific date was driven by a number of reasons which, once I had started my count down, I realised didn't really stack up. So, just over two months ago, I jumped early and have been full time ever since. And wow, am I so, so, so glad that I did!

It was a fantastic start - got a lot of support from friends and colleagues, and from sections of my family - and, for the most part, every day has been great. Certainly the subsequent weeks haven't had nearly the same thrill as that first one, but that's fine by me, I really wanted to blend into the background as much and as soon as possible. Remarkably, despite being 6'3", I appear to have mostly managed it.

If I was to go back to all the fears I originally harboured about transitioning I don't think a single one of them has come to pass - not yet anyway, and hopefully never.

So yeah, everyday may be more and more like "just another day", especially work days, but I honestly feel like I fit into my life in a way I never could before. It's only been 70 days or so, but everyday just feels more and more natural, it's remarkable. What will it feel like in a year? In five?

I'm so glad I swept aside that stuff (real or imagined) that was blocking my full time transition, and that I did it ahead of schedule. Tomorrow might have been the "first day" but now it is just another day.

*huggles* I'm so, so happy for you, Grace. Reading this really made me smile.

Missed it by that much.....

You were never a chance.

Glad everything is going well.
Talk soon.

J

I'm really happy for you  living full time gives us the opportunity to be ourselves, at the beginning maybe one can be afraid of the reactions in the society, but in the end it's just living our real life and not hiding anymore 

Quote from: Kiwi on June 03, 2014, 03:34:57 PM
I'm really happy for you  living full time gives us the opportunity to be ourselves, at the beginning maybe one can be afraid of the reactions in the society, but in the end it's just living our real life and not hiding anymore 

I like this.  We have always been full time, but now the rest of the world can know.

The first few times out for me were rocky, but I went from being afraid to leave my house to full time in a few weeks.  Once you stop caring what others think, it's all gravy.  A smile and positive attitude go a long way as well.  And it helped not being run out of town with pitchforks...

Anyway, Grace, I'm so glad you jumped your own gun as well.  I'm glad I didn't wait any longer.  The boy clothes were so cramping my style.

Awesome Ms Grace! When I was showing my mom the before and after thread last night, came to your pics...she commented that you look like a very lovely lady, I agree.

I remember those posts and the countdown to the big day. So glad it's all going so well. Really, really pleased for you

You talked about the fears that never materialised...as some of us are dealing with the same anxieties about finally crossing over to the other side, I'd be interested to know what you were worried about and how those worries faded away.

Keep on enjoying your real life, Grace

Awesome, One day I will get there too!

Quote from: Ms Grace on June 03, 2014, 05:54:33 AM
Tomorrow might have been the "first day" but now it is just another day.

Nice little though there Grace

Congratulations, Grace!  Glad to read that your transition has been great so far.

Quote from: Ms Grace on June 03, 2014, 05:54:33 AM
swept aside that stuff (real or imagined) that was blocking my full time transition

Now we need to get this attitude into the rest of our members! Knew you would never make it all the way Grace.  

Congratulations, you are amazing!

Grace,

Girl, you are there. 

You have been an inspiration to me.  Thought you should know.

Hugs,

Jen

Hey Grace, really happy that things have been progressing so well for you! Keep it up!

Hey, thanks everyone!

Quote from: Jill F on June 03, 2014, 04:39:05 PM
I like this.  We have always been full time, but now the rest of the world can know.

So true. I think it was about two months from first time to full time. My forays into the world were going great and I really hating shifting between the two modes of presentation. I became quite impatient for people to start meeting me properly.

Quote from: Megan Joanne on June 03, 2014, 05:03:48 PM
Awesome Ms Grace! When I was showing my mom the before and after thread last night, came to your pics...she commented that you look like a very lovely lady, I agree.

You're too kind! Thanks, hon!

Quote from: Hikari on June 03, 2014, 05:49:59 PM
Awesome, One day I will get there too!

Yes, you will!!

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 03, 2014, 06:21:46 PM
Now we need to get this attitude into the rest of our members! Knew you would never make it all the way Grace.  

I definitely have the good natured ribbing from yourself, Cindy, Jenny and others for giving me the boost of courage I need to just say "screw this countdown, I'm jumping NOW!" It was a group effort!

Quote from: JLT1 on June 03, 2014, 06:33:28 PM
You have been an inspiration to me.  Thought you should know.

Thanks Jen, you are an inspirational woman yourself! Hugs.

Quote from: Joan on June 03, 2014, 05:39:10 PM
You talked about the fears that never materialised...as some of us are dealing with the same anxieties about finally crossing over to the other side, I'd be interested to know what you were worried about and how those worries faded away.

I think they were primarily the ones that most people seem to feel burdened by... that I stood no chance of ever passing, that I was most likely totally nuts for thinking this would work, I was too tall and I'd never find anything nice to wear, friends and family and colleagues would reject me...

Some of those things I just had to confront head on, like telling people I knew. Other things were a matter of working on how I presented myself, and once I started shopping I realised there was plenty to wear. And no I wasn't nuts... turns out I could make it work... by believing in myself and believing that yes, all would be well.

Thanks for answering my question, Grace.

I'm 6'2" so height makes me stand out a bit, too, and most of the tops I try on barely cover the waistband on my jeans

But you have been an inspiration for what can be achieved, for many of us I think.  Keep on enjoying life as it always should have been for you

Sometimes things happen sooner than when we hoped. I see how happy you are that it happened that way, Grace. Congratulations!

So happy, and proud for you, Grace!  I guess I can say, if/when my time ever comes, I can be as strong and determined.  <3

Quote from: Ms Grace on June 04, 2014, 05:05:20 AM
I definitely have the good natured ribbing from yourself, Cindy, Jenny and others for giving me the boost of courage I need to just say "screw this countdown, I'm jumping NOW!" It was a group effort!

Speaking of Jenny, oh Jenny guess who's next?

Im so proud of you Grace, you've given me some good advice and been there when I was really down.  Thank you for being here and sharing your beautiful story with us!