Well, it's been about 2 months now since  I finally admitted to being transgender to myself and came out to my wife. I can't believe how many changes I've already started making and how many steps toward my transition I've already taken.

Getting into therapy seemed to be the obvious first step for me. I was able to find someone within a week of coming out to myself.

On January 7th, I had a general wellness appointment where I discussed some options with my doctor. I got on Finasteride to start doing something about my hair until I can start HRT. Thats definitely been my biggest cause for concern as far as my physical appearance goes, but taking some steps feels good. It will be 3-6 months before I start seeing any results from the prescription, but in the mean time I've added vitamin & nutrient supplements and a few different products to my regimen over the last 3-4 monthsto help my hair (both topical and oral) and I've noticed some definite signs of regrowth in the last 3 weeks.

Overall it was a great experience and I even spoke with my doctor's wife (who runs the administration side of the office) about their family's personal experiences with their trans-son who is working on his own transition (small world!)

After the doctor's visit, I had my first voice lessons at The Voice Lab in Chicago. Again, it was a great experiences ence and my coach is fantastic. Working on my voice has been a massive frustration, but its given me something attainable to work towards early in transition.

Coming up in February is my first laser hair removal appointment and continued vocal lessons. I got a great deal on a year's worth of treatments that will cover my whole body, face to feet! Hopefully by summer I will feel comfortable with starting HRT!

EDIT: Oh, I almost forgot! I've settled on a new first & middle name that I think fit me perfectly. Liberty - Libbey - Autumn

Wow, you are quick!  I've been on HRT for a while now, but I have done all of this yet.  HRT has been my main means for transitioning.

It's interesting because prior to HRT and at the beginning, I felt like I wanted to go "all the way".  Now, I feel like I'm pretty happy with where I am at although strangers quickly identify me as female.  I bring this up because I was just wondering if it would have been a problem for me to transition so quickly.

Congratulations!  It's a very challenging course, but it looks like a lot of us can get through it, and you will too

Quote from: StillAnonymous on January 28, 2017, 11:18:50 AM
Wow, you are quick!  I've been on HRT for a while now, but I have done all of this yet.  HRT has been my main means for transitioning.

It's interesting because prior to HRT and at the beginning, I felt like I wanted to go "all the way".  Now, I feel like I'm pretty happy with where I am at although strangers quickly identify me as female.  I bring this up because I was just wondering if it would have been a problem for me to transition so quickly.

Congratulations!  It's a very challenging course, but it looks like a lot of us can get through it, and you will too

It's interesting because I know I'm going quickly but at the same time I can't help but feel like I'm not making enough progress. The hardest part of transition for me so far has been feeling sedentary. After I came out to myself and my wife, I had already made up my mind to transition but I had no idea how or where to start so I took most of December to process my decision and figure out a starting off point. But I found that I never felt as dysphoric or so stuck  as I did during those few weeks. I actually can't wait to get HRT started and if not for some things I have to take care of in my personal life, I would have already started. I won't need one where I'm going to go for HRT, but if I asked my therapist, she would write me a letter no questions and has been that way since I started presenting at my 4th session. I'm hoping by summer I'll be able to start up and with any luck, I'll feel ready to go full-time around the 2018 new year! At this point I'm anxiously looking forward to having my name & gender info changes on my driver's license/social security.

Congratulations Liberty Libbey Autumn! It sounds like you are on a roll and I could feel your excitement and enthusiasm by reading your post.  I wish you all the best on your journey!