Hi everyone!
I've been browsing around here and similar places for years now but am finally ready to join this community as I'm ready to get started with everything!
So. Well. I'm only just starting out on this process. In short, I really haven't done anything much yet. But two really big (at least for me) preliminary steps I've taken are (1) being totally comfortable with myself about it and (2) coming out to those close to me! A few years ago when I was an undergraduate, I tried one summer to come out about it but didn't get very far. I talked about it on at least one online forum (though it wasn't here) but didn't get beyond that and eventually got too scared and left. But this time I did the exact opposite. I started by talking to some close friends and family about it and then (now!) have come online (here!).
I don't really know what else to say in an introduction like this, but here are a few other basic things. I'm MTF. I'm 23. I'm into coloring (see my username). I haven't decided how I want to spell my name (see that my username doesn't contain my name because of this). (spoiler: it's going to be some spelling of "Allison" or "Alison" or "Allyson" or "Alyson" but I haven't decided yet) I'm also pretty into making parenthetical statements (see this post).
Anyway, nice to meet everyone!
A (see above for why I'm only signing my name with an initial)