Earlier today I was drinking a Diet Coke, and I looked at the bottle and realized it had my name on it.  My new name.  And it struck me that I really do identify with the name Katie.  It's mine.  It's me. 





Sometimes it's just the little things that serve as a reminder that I'm on the right path, and it brightens up my day.  It's easy to get caught up in the difficult parts of transition, but I like focusing on the positives.

What little things have happened to you lately to encourage you?

I got a ma'am from a customer at my favorite coffee spot when I forgot my change.

Stephanie, hearing ma'am definitely makes me feel a little giddy inside

The name thing - that's so totally true!! I got a little light that shines inside whenever I hear or see my true name (which happens to be my "new name", but which always was my true name. Only I wasn't ready for it)

wait till you go to the ER and they ask you when your last pregnancy or period was, it totally puts a smile on your face even if your in pain.

Being addressed as your true gender, warranted or not, is a big one. Shortly after I realized I was trans I was on a cruise with Sweetie (yes, we cruise a lot). At breakfast a waiter came from behind and asked "what will you ladies have this morning?" When he came to face us he embarrassedly corrected himself. It still warmed me for the whole day. Of course, now, correcting himself will have the opposite effect.

Yesterday in the car Sweetie told me we needed to update her wardrobe as much of her clothing is three years old and wearing. I commented that much of mine was older. She said I never seem to want to replace mine. She then asked what kind of clothing I wanted to replace mine with. I asked a question to clarify and she had meant what I thought. Her willingness to help me dress properly as myself despite how it's tearing her up is so bittersweet! I cried myself! Such love as she stands on shifting sands wondering if there's solid rock under there somewhere.

Little things indeed, Katie, and how important they are!

Mine?  At the bank the other day, and working with a new banker, I asked him whether we could review my personal details.  As we got to the "M" I pointed to it.  "YIKES!" he said, rapidly correcting it with an "F". 

Silly computer error, I guess

Little things.

Going through the closet, I have fewer men's clothes than women's (of my own). What's more almost none of the men's fit properly.

I can see myself in nearly every part of my body now. Him not so much.

Wearing men's clothing even properly fitting ones just feels really weird. I tried it now and again as a self check.

Quote from: iKate on May 17, 2015, 02:25:23 PM
Going through the closet, I have fewer men's clothes than women's (of my own).

I realized the other day that I have more than twice as many pairs of womens shoes as mens...and I'm still just part time! 

I got called a Siren at a birthday party this past Saturday.

I'm walking around with a turtleneck, skinny jeans and knee-high boots. The exact getup I've always thought was sexiest. The jeans are tight enough to make me aware of that I no longer have the danglies underneath.

Suddenly I get this flash about just how wonderful it is to be the way I've always wanted to be. Wasn't quite sure where I should put it, and I remembered this thread and how disappointed I was that I couldn't think of anything when I first saw it.

That's awesome!   Gotta love em indeed!  i'm still wet behind the ears and can't wait to fully star transitioning, but some coworkers/friends years ago started calling me by my nickname of Nicky/Niki ( I was born with Nicholas, known as Nick to most) and it always made me feel giddy inside (this was wayyy before I came to terms with my gender) and now I know why I liked being called that :3! 

Lots of things for me at this point. Mostly getting hit on all the time, often in random situations. "Ma'am" is still nice too but oddly enough still taking some getting used to. The other day some old lady behind me at the grocery store said "excuse me, ma'am?" and wanted assistance getting some milk. It took me a moment for it to register that it was directed towards me. Just something I still have to be more conscious of.

Oh and tried on some of my old clothes a couple days ago. Wore all guy clothes, no makeup... still looked like a woman. And even more so when I unbuttoned my shirt and a titty popped out. Plus my jeans went up to my tits, so there's that too (30" inseam went down to about 27").

Everything else is starting to become typical and expected though. The new car smell has kinda worn off. Instead, I sometimes look at or touch my tits and just get this weird feeling like it's hard to believe they're there now. Or think about my current situation in life and it just feels surreal. There are days I have trouble coping... doesn't mean I'm not happy, it's just all weird sometimes. Not sure if I'll ever totally get used to all of this.

I work on my voice training regularly. When I first started, I seemed to fail miserably nearly all the time. With practice, though, it's gotten better. My most frequent "tests" are when I speak to someone that doesn't know me over the phone. With the practice and feedback, I know how it sounds and feels (in the voice box) when I nail it. Funny thing is, I can't do it with the regularity that I'd like, and I don't know quite what it is that lets it happen sometimes and not all the time.

But when I do nail it, I think it's one of "the little things" that you described.

-AshleyP