I spent today with a friend.  He's known I'm trans* for the better part of a year.  But today we were bro-ing around at my home.  I presented as female.  He has always been accepting enough, that I knew it was an option; but today was the day I finally did it!  My makeup was on point!  My dress was flowing with my every move, and my hair was gorgeous!  He treated me just like he always has; I didn't feel like I was pretending for a second.  The part that truly surprised me is how normal I am feeling today.  I've felt almost no dysphoria whatsoever!(It kills me on most days...) It's just mind boggling to imagine going about every day like that.  I just want to be normal.  That's what makes me want to deny being trans* or talk myself out of it.  It would be really nice, though, if I were just however I am and that's normal.  😀

Quote from: Amanda_Combs on August 31, 2016, 09:53:26 PM
I spent today with a friend.  He's known I'm trans* for the better part of a year.  But today we were bro-ing around at my home.  I presented as female.  He has always been accepting enough, that I knew it was an option; but today was the day I finally did it!  My makeup was on point!  My dress was flowing with my every move, and my hair was gorgeous!  He treated me just like he always has; I didn't feel like I was pretending for a second.  The part that truly surprised me is how normal I am feeling today.  I've felt almost no dysphoria whatsoever!(It kills me on most days...) It's just mind boggling to imagine going about every day like that.  I just want to be normal.  That's what makes me want to deny being trans* or talk myself out of it.  It would be really nice, though, if I were just however I am and that's normal. 

The issue is always the fight between how we think others may perceive us, and our stepping back to accommodate others. I feel so free and happy when I am "me." You know, my goal my be to look like Taylor Swift, but, I'm cool with who I am. Being normal is being what makes you happy.

Quote from: Sinclair on August 31, 2016, 10:39:13 PM
The issue is always the fight between how we think others may perceive us, and our stepping back to accommodate others. 

True. This sounds like the story of my life right now.

The major factor that keeps me going... that enables me to wake up on the sunny side of the grass every morning (OK  Winter is befalling the northern hemisphere and at 5:00AM there is no rays of sunshine) is the SHEAR JOY of being out in the real world as the real me.

Welcome to the NEW reality of your life