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Started by Kelly_1979, February 14, 2015, 12:09:26 PM

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Kelly_1979

-Few days ago had my 1st therapist (psychiatrist) appointment. It was ok although I just talked, he asked me as few questions and his assistant wrote the key points of what I said. Too bad the next appointment is like a month away...

-When I feel I'm Kelly (not looking at reflections etc) I feel ~happy, excited but calm at the same time (a bit like smiling inside).
Not sexual feelings I mean. If at that time I look at a mirror the feelings dissipate immediately and the mirror image is "meh". But I'm not sure if I "try" to feel female or it is an "idle feeling". Don't get me wrong I love feeling like this but when I'm outside with other people (for example at the uni) I go back into my male mode.

-when I'm in bed I feel more like a girl etc...

-few years ago I could cry easier when thinking about trans issues; now it's become difficult, I want to cry but can't.

-when I talk with my male voice is sometimes feels as if a different person is talking – and I have to talk with this voice cause the "other one" sounds too funny (at the moment)

-it's just that sometimes I feel as if I'm kidding myself...

-How do you manage to "tone down" the feelings in a way you don't think about it all the time? I can't think of anything else just self-doubts, second guessing myself, when I should focus on my work at the university (which is vital so I can get a job). I know it more or less commonplace but I would gladly accept any suggestions.

Thanks
Trying to emerge to my real self
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Rachel

I had very bad dysphoria. HRT helped make life livable and my dysphoria is generally better. Perhaps transitioning, therapy, group, coming out and Susan's helped reduce my dysphoria. Anyhow,  I am in  better place now than I was 2 years ago but I had to face my fears and do something about it.
HRT  5-28-2013
FT   11-13-2015
FFS   9-16-2016 -Spiegel
GCS 11-15-2016 - McGinn
Hair Grafts 3-20-2017 - Cooley
Voice therapy start 3-2017 - Reene Blaker
Labiaplasty 5-15-2017 - McGinn
BA 7-12-2017 - McGinn
Hair grafts 9-25-2017 Dr.Cooley
Sataloff Cricothyroid subluxation and trachea shave12-11-2017
Dr. McGinn labiaplasty, hood repair, scar removal, graph repair and bottom of  vagina finished. urethra repositioned. 4-4-2018
Dr. Sataloff Glottoplasty 5-14-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal in office procedure 10-22-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal revision 2 4-3-2019 Bottom of vagina closed off, fat injected into the labia and urethra repositioned.
Dr. Thomas in 2020 FEMLAR
  • skype:Rachel?call
  •  

Ms Grace

Congrats on getting started. I worked through the barrage of feelings by finding plenty of things to distract me. If they're things that can take you out of your mind and anchor you in the moment that is the best. Not easy to do when you're studying at uni since that is very "in your head" and you might find your mind going back to your feeling when you're trying to concentrate on study. If you're open to meditation or yoga that can help to centre and focus you with some effort.
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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Kelly_1979

#3
 Today was 2nd therapist session

I just feel....meh

I expected more but he said we need to take it really slowly.

This time the whole session was like 15 min. I wanted more time but he said only the first session is longer.

He asked me about how I generally feel (concerning gender), if I can imagine myself as a girl (as an image) - I told him it's more vague, more like a feeling. He was interested in if I crossdress (in the house or outside) and how I feel about it.

A thing I could not answer was if I was marooned in a desert island and had never seen a human how would I feel (male or female) and if I would want to change my body.
Αnother question was about how I like sex (at least imagining). (As a woman with a woman, but vaguely).

He told me my situation is not typical but I have a more or less female identity (to a high percentage) and that I'm lesbian.

Next session is in like 1.5 month...

I know I should be happier but I feel so sad...  Yesterday but especially today after the session while listening to certain songs I end up feeling girly and crying tons of tears.... On one hand it's quite liberating; on the other hand I find it terribly difficult to control my emotions, which is kinda bad when I'm not at home.
Trying to emerge to my real self
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Kelly_1979

Sorry couldn't edit my previous post....

I just keep having waves of realization as female, but at the same time further distance from my male appearance (as if he's a completely different person).
Trying to emerge to my real self
  •  

Kelly_1979

#5
Continued rambling...

Part 1) my mother was in my room and found my skinny girl jeans. She asked how can I even fit in them since they're so tight "only kids fit in them, not 36 years old guys". She was also concerned they are too tight on the crotch. Funny thing, she commented they look as if they have been worn "since they have all these distressed parts". Meh.

Part 2) Among my colleagues at the university lab there is a girl who I have known for about 2 years. Btw she has a serious boyfriend for like 6 years. Last year after some weird hints I tried to hit on her but it didn't go well. Anyway I dismissed it is as if nothing happened since we see each other at the university every day anyway.
Ok enough preamble. Today I saw she was wearing a nice multicolored knitted sweater that I really liked and I told her I liked it a lot. Her response was that her boyfriend gave to her. Anyway later as I was sitting on the pc she came by and showed me her painted nails. I told her they were nice and she told me how she painted them. She also remarked that they already chipped after one day.

So the question is: am I sending off the wrong vibes?
I meant what I told her and anyway there isn't any chance having her as gf...
I think all this, plus they jeans I want to wear there will send off some wrong vibes (that I'm not interested in girls that is). Of course since I like it I shouldn't really pay attention but it's so confusing.
Trying to emerge to my real self
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Kelly_1979

So darn confused now....again. These days have been full of ups and "strange- meh" "downs". For example it was this highschool crush I saw in the metro few days ago. 2 days ago I felt still attracted to her, today it's "meh". How can emotions change so damn fast?

Today I went to the therapist (4th session) straight from the university (so I wasn't really "prepared" – but it didn't really make a difference). I didn't really know what to tell him, apart from rehashing what I told him last session. My feelings keep alternating between "female" and "it's not so bad like this" (for example I like my semi-ripped physique).

He told me that since I'm not sure about the whole thing to do things I like (wear women's jeans, paint my nails if I want) but not do something permanent. Also that I shouldn't feel as if I need to decide to "do one thing or the other". It drives me crazy thinking about it. Still, many times when I see a girl I keep wishing I was her. But it doesn't change the fact that sometimes I would feel as I'm pretending to be a girl (even if I like it) when actually I'm not.

At least it's been 2 weeks I have been wearing women's jeans (only the first two days I was worried a bit). There were only a couple of comments regarding the jeans, one was that "nice jeans, nice new athletic shoes") and the other one was "You're dressed like the 80's".

So that's about it until now....
Trying to emerge to my real self
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stephaniec

good luck on your journey , I know it rough at first.
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Kelly_1979

Today and yesterday for various reasons, I felt terribly deppessed again, extremely envious of certain girls and "hate" towards male voice, presentation and imagining of growing to an old man. I could hardly keep myself from crying. I don't want to talk to anybody because I'm afraid I'll breakdown and start crying. Yet when I want to cry I can't. I really couldn't do basically anything at the university.

Sorry for moaning but that's how I feel now.
Trying to emerge to my real self
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Beth Andrea

Thank you for sharing, Kelly...

QuoteToday was 2nd therapist session

I just feel....meh

I expected more but he said we need to take it really slowly.

This time the whole session was like 15 min. I wanted more time but he said only the first session is longer.

Wow, here in the States a typical session is 40-50 minutes. First session is often 1.5 hours...can't get much accomplished in 15 minutes, I'd think.

He asked me about how I generally feel (concerning gender), if I can imagine myself as a girl (as an image) - I told him it's more vague, more like a feeling. He was interested in if I crossdress (in the house or outside) and how I feel about it.

A thing I could not answer was if I was marooned in a desert island and had never seen a human how would I feel (male or female) and if I would want to change my body.
Αnother question was about how I like sex (at least imagining). (As a woman with a woman, but vaguely).

He told me my situation is not typical but I have a more or less female identity (to a high percentage) and that I'm lesbian.

I'm not sure there is a "typical" situation. There was a time when TG/TS people had to basically recite Teh Gospel According To The Almighty Gatekeepers in order to enter the hallowed gates of Transition-Land, but not so much anymore (at least, in the States). Maybe that's the "typical" he's referring to? (My trasition narrative was very similar to yours, except instead of dealing with Uni, I was dealing with major childhood sex abuse issues).

QuoteOk enough preamble. Today I saw she was wearing a nice multicolored knitted sweater that I really liked and I told her I liked it a lot. Her response was that her boyfriend gave to her. Anyway later as I was sitting on the pc she came by and showed me her painted nails. I told her they were nice and she told me how she painted them. She also remarked that they already chipped after one day.

...So the question is: am I sending off the wrong vibes?
I meant what I told her and anyway there isn't any chance having her as gf...

She's not making a pass at you, Kelly. And you're not sending off the wrong vibes...on the contrary, she may be picking up your interest in girly things, and is showing her interest in you, as "platonic girlfriend" Kelly (even though she doesn't know anything about Kelly).

My experience has been that the cheaper polish chips easily. Buy her (and you!) some quality nail polish. ($5-$10/bottle). A coat of clear first, two coats of color, and a clear top coat. Don't paint your nails like painting a house...start at the cuticle, one long stroke in the middle of the nail to the tip, and one on each side of the center strip. Don't daub it on. (YouTube has videos)

QuoteHe told me that since I'm not sure about the whole thing to do things I like (wear women's jeans, paint my nails if I want) but not do something permanent. Also that I shouldn't feel as if I need to decide to "do one thing or the other". It drives me crazy thinking about it. Still, many times when I see a girl I keep wishing I was her. But it doesn't change the fact that sometimes I would feel as I'm pretending to be a girl (even if I like it) when actually I'm not.

Early in transition it was common for me to do only "temporary" things. Nails, hair, etc. Over time, as I acclimated to these new things, I would add more. The thing that made me cross into permanent changes (HRT at first, SRS later) was two things (in my case):

First, treatment for depression using testosterone/androderm: On first application, it was like I had put poison on me. By the third-fourth application (a month and a half later), I had realized that is not working for me, and I'd have to look into Estrogen, anti-androgens, and...how those would affect me physically/emotionally.

Second, during the testosterone therapy, I was given a set of very nice breast forms by a friend. They gave me about a B-C cup, and although I felt weird holding them and looking at the bra my ex let me use...I was like, "well, let's see how this works." Put them on, and placed my hand center-chest between the "valley", and just melted into myself. "OH MY GAWD....I *need* these!" From then on, getting on HRT was the next step in the process of transitioning...getting on hormones, AND how to tell my kids and then-wife what was happening.

The single most important piece of advice I heard (by the cd+MtF couple who gave me the forms) was, "Take it slow! Enjoy each step on this journey, not everyone wants SRS or permanent breasts or whatever...but if YOU feel it is necessary to be at ease with your body...then you need it."

Quote from: kelly_1979 on May 21, 2015, 10:02:31 AM
Today and yesterday for various reasons, I felt terribly deppessed again, extremely envious of certain girls and "hate" towards male voice, presentation and imagining of growing to an old man. I could hardly keep myself from crying. I don't want to talk to anybody because I'm afraid I'll breakdown and start crying. Yet when I want to cry I can't. I really couldn't do basically anything at the university.

Sorry for moaning but that's how I feel now.

Your story is my story. It was in therapy that I discovered my dislike for "being a man" (I actually felt like I was play-acting the part), growing old as a man was, for me, a terrible thing. So was growing old as a woman LOL, but at least I wouldn't despise myself as an old woman!

The difficulty in crying I had also. My male-self was so caught up in "being a man", and he knew that some men cried, but by golly that nonsense wasn't for him!! It wasn't until I had come out as Beth (in the therapy office and in the car with my ex) that crying was allowed from this body.

This is a process of coming out, Kelly. Just like a seed doesn't sprout and flower in minutes, it takes its time. Cracks the seed-shell (the "male" self), a sprout forms, breaking the surface of the earth, reaches for the sun, and when it's ready...it blooms in all its beauty.

Be patient, and let things happen in their time, and above all, love yourself, however Kelly presents. And also allow your male self to break apart, and fall away gently.

Wow, that was kind of sappy, weren't it?  ;) Hope this helps!  8)
...I think for most of us it is a futile effort to try and put this genie back in the bottle once she has tasted freedom...

--read in a Tessa James post 1/16/2017
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AshleyP

Quote from: Beth Andrea on May 21, 2015, 10:52:08 AM
This is a process of coming out, Kelly. Just like a seed doesn't sprout and flower in minutes, it takes its time. Cracks the seed-shell (the "male" self), a sprout forms, breaking the surface of the earth, reaches for the sun, and when it's ready...it blooms in all its beauty.

Be patient, and let things happen in their time, and above all, love yourself, however Kelly presents. And also allow your male self to break apart, and fall away gently.

Wow, that was kind of sappy, weren't it?  ;) Hope this helps!  8)

Not sappy at all. In fact, a very apt analogy and well said, Beth.

kelly - Be patient with the therapy and transition. Use them to learn to love yourself. Best of luck!
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Kelly_1979

I just woke up from a 2 hour nap lol after a 24 km mtb ride. Right before fully waking up (that phase where you don't know if it's morning or afternoon), I had a "daydream" (don't know how to call it): Imagined myself - but without trying, it was like true-  having a female body and wearing a crop top and shorts.  It felt so damn nice. .. until I got up.
Trying to emerge to my real self
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Kelly_1979

Sorry couldn't edit last post.

@Beth Andrea: no, your post wasn't sappy at all. I still have doubts etc and currently feel as I've hit a wall (can't think what to do, don't have any concrete plans for the future). Still, I have definitely accepted like 90+% my female self. Problem is I can't see how I can make it true.
Trying to emerge to my real self
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