I know it is an important part of your history but its not who you are people who pay good money and years of their lives to be women should allow themselves to live as a woman just my opinion engagement ... by that time he probabally is so in love with you (or should be if hes at the point of proposal)  he really will not care if he loves you he wont care but women have to just relax and be women and let the happen . that is the time to tell a man not before men who are in love see things differently than they would if they did not love you . wait and tell him when he has tons of oxytocin coursing through his bloodstream and worships you as the most perfect feminine creature he has ever seen lol  that is when most women naturally tell their deepest darkest secrets is when there is a strong emotional connection and you feel like you can trust the other person . they are just so much more open minded when theyre in the land of moonbeams and fairydust and its just a bad idea to tell them sooner that that .

Quote from: Lady_Oracle on August 31, 2014, 07:47:26 PM
I'm reviving this thread so more can see and post their experiences and I have a few updates of my own.

I'm really glad you did.  HRT is still a ways off for me, so I'm in research mode.  I know that the only way to really understand this is to get out there and actually live life as a woman, but I really like to read about others' experiences so that it won't be a total shock to me when it's my turn.  So thanks to you all for sharing.

There is one thing I can add to this from my limited time out in public.  I was surprised that people really don't pay attention to other people...unless they have a reason to.  Whenever I've gone out, I've always picked out a cute, but age appropriate outfit.  My goal was to blend in.  And for the most part, I did.

Admittedly I've just taken baby steps, and interacting with people is still very scary.  But I've made myself do it, and have had no problems yet.

I have a group of women I hang out with reliably now twice a week and we get along really well. Supportive, and just good warm fuzzies. From them and others I get feedback about how nice I am and how people enjoy being with me. Given the hulk monster I was before, I find this change most welcome.

Some of my interactions with the public have pushed me to grow my feminist advocacy. Catcalling happens to me on occasion and upsets me greatly. I didn't transition to become a thing for the male gaze to enjoy. Or to have a camera lens pointed at me at length like I'm some kind of celebrity. I think that the photographer in question was just doing his job after I inquired what was going on, still in the moment, I wanted to disappear into sweats so bad.

Work... I dunno what's going on there but all but maybe one of the women in my department are having trouble. There's going to be a meeting tomorrow I need to rest up for.

The social goes well but, intricate.