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breaking down with continued effort to change

Started by alice1234, March 01, 2017, 10:25:24 PM

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alice1234

so its been awhile since i have posted, im struggling i used the advise i got and started changing my voice and it felt amazing for the first few weeks but the last few days i mentally cant go back into it.  and have reverted to my old voice.  my family has been reluctant but supportive of me changing my voice.  my therapist and spouce font understand my "block" im courious if anyone has tried somthing with transtion, succeded, felt great feels organic to me, but still cant commit.  also my anxiety has been iff the charts after 7 years of doing nothing for my continuing transition i descuded to get hrt legitimally and persure my grs which is terrifying me to the point of paralysis. plus now thinking of grs has made me hyperfocused on my genetails which is breaking me down everytime i shower or use the bathroom.  i made an apt which could be tomorrow but i put it 2 months out can in not sure i can( which makes no sense cause its great for me and my future. i guess alwo living "stealth" now that everyone is talking about trans issues on the news its driving me crazy,the hrt clinic and my theripist think i should go to there support groups but i cant be with other transwomen at the moment, but i know it would help. plus a trans girl has takin a shine to me at work and i have a hard time talking to her cause im worried she will read me, which makes me feel like a jerk cause she could use more help.   anyone feel this way or have these problems? i hope this finds people well

Always
Alice
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Michelle_P

Alice, I think everyone starting or going through transition has this happen to them.   I call it the "Doubt Monster", that old part of us that questions any change, anything we do that alters our routine, appearence, anything we try to do. At first, it seems to rise up constantly, but as we settle into a new routine, HRT, transition, any changes really, it slowly quiets down, rising up less often, not as loud, more easily defeated.

When the doubts come up, try and remember why you are changing things.  Recall how you felt before you changed something, and how that change improved your life, or your state of mind.

Giving up that change would put you back in that old life, that old state of mind, and worse, you would know how much better things were when you changed them, and that you had given up that improvement.

Living 'in the closet' is really hard once you get a taste of freedom to be yourself.  Switching back and forth between male and female presentation is even worse.  I can't really give you much advice on this, because it was really hard on me, and I came out as a result, initially to my wife and daughter that lived with us, then a few months later to the whole family.  Divorce followed a few months later.
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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SailorMars1994

Quote from: Michelle_P on March 01, 2017, 11:07:58 PM
Alice, I think everyone starting or going through transition has this happen to them.   I call it the "Doubt Monster", that old part of us that questions any change, anything we do that alters our routine, appearence, anything we try to do. At first, it seems to rise up constantly, but as we settle into a new routine, HRT, transition, any changes really, it slowly quiets down, rising up less often, not as loud, more easily defeated.

When the doubts come up, try and remember why you are changing things.  Recall how you felt before you changed something, and how that change improved your life, or your state of mind.

Giving up that change would put you back in that old life, that old state of mind, and worse, you would know how much better things were when you changed them, and that you had given up that improvement.

Living 'in the closet' is really hard once you get a taste of freedom to be yourself.  Switching back and forth between male and female presentation is even worse.  I can't really give you much advice on this, because it was really hard on me, and I came out as a result, initially to my wife and daughter that lived with us, then a few months later to the whole family.  Divorce followed a few months later.

Listen to this one damn smart woman^! She has hit the nail on the head for you and for myself many o'times. And heck yes I have gone through what you have gone through. The 'doubt monster' is a real evil thing. I strted transition in May 2014 and as of Febrauary 2017 still get bitten by the doubt monster. In my case however i was only able to truley connect to my womanhood in peace in early 2016, I mean i had her before but I mean not being disturbed by outside forces. In early 2016 I got a new job, I think everyone knew i was trans or atleast had an obvious idea of it. i was treated as a female by my co-workers (whereas before I looked and acted more in the middle of the genders) and I was able to branck out and for the first time in my life had a majority female friends and also met other trans-girls face to face for really one of the first times in my life , if not the first. I was losing masculinity and many of my old male triats i got growing up. I loved every second of it, and i mean that with me getting slightly emoitonal about it too because feminizing is the best thing. However, much like you the mental block came in. And in my case it was horrible. In April, after a really good few months of living as myself and becoming the improved me my mind hit a block. It would only see me as a ''man'' and would litterly push all female stuff out of my head. It was the worst, as the dysporia i had before that has now 100% worse and I couldnt push it out. This all happened bcause, though I am young, i grew up with masculinty pushed down my throat alot and also i pushed femininity i had as a kid out to be the next ''man'' and i think i still deep down deal with a lot of internalized transphobia. All these things for me came back up and killed what happiness i had as a woman. I did a de-transition and was 100% misserable. I had to push myself back to the old Ashley days i had early 2016 and now, after 3 months of doing that i am basically full time again and the doubt monster and old male self do like to pop in for an unwanted visit, but this girl, Ashley, is strong enough to toss them out and move on. You will have to do the same and dont allow the badness to sink in. If I work on these things a long time ago and was still living in Winnipeg I would, by now have been finished my laser therapy, voice therapy and I would have had the surgery back in Janurary. Work on the sub-consious to, dont allow the best things to be taken away like I did because in my case anyway, it wasnt that transition is or was every wrong for me. If fact it is the opposite, transition has been a life saver, but i was un=prepared about the mental effect from everything. I am on the road again and if i may say, more stronger over all then I was last time!

Hug-Ashley
AMAB Born: March 1994
Gender became on radar: 2007
Admitted to self : 2010
Came out: May 12 2014
Estrogen: October 16 2015
<3
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alice1234

Dear Michelle_P

Thank you for your reply sorry i took so long to get back its been a crazy couple weeks, i love that the "doubt monster" unfortantly its kicking my butt right now on the good aspect i have been using my voice more and only a couple days were i didnt.

Your words helped i have been reflecting on my transition and i am proud of myself for getting this far

I have never switched back to male, once i went full time and most people always assumed i smoked thats why my voice sounds this way.  i love my new voice but im struggling.  plus i finally made an apt to get my surgery its been 9 years since i wanted to make the phone call and i did it.  and im terrified.

Im sorry to hear about your family i lost everyone in my life as well but it was worth it for me to finally be happy

Thank you Always Alice
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alice1234

Dear Ashley

Thank you for your reply i was struggling that day reading your story helped im glad that you found the strong woman you are, i also know about masculinity shoved down your throat and the feeling that me being more fem was a bad thing fortantly most of that passed years ago (for the most part) 

Thank you for the kind words
Hugs
Alice
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jentay1367

Do take Michelle's advice to heart. As Sailormars pointed out, she is "one smart woman" and her advice is always awesome and helpful. We're lucky to have her around here to keep us straight.....well,........ maybe 'straight" wasn't the best adjective, but you get my point.
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Michelle_P

Moi?  Straight?  LOL!

Alice, I'm glad you are holding up OK. It ain't easy. The voice work is downright hard.

I spent about three months once I got a grip on head vs chest voice slowly ratcheting up my pitch using the Singscope iOS app until I could talk for several minutes straight at A3 to C4. Then I asked for speech therapy assistance.

I was started off on learning to breathe, with correct posture, to properly power my speech. The exercise has me standing against a wall to be as straight (!) as possible, and then inhaling using only my diaphragm. With head up I do a slow ten count while exhaling silently or making an "sss..."  sound. Initially I do this for a slow ten count, but I'm supposed to work up to a 30 count.

Then using the same breathing I am supposed to keep my chin up, imagine my mouth and tongue as a trumpet, and count to 10 out loud, projecting the sound out and up toward a corner of the room.

Oddly, this seems to reduce the "gravel" in my speech by training me to power it correctly.

I've also got some "singsong" sentences to recite with emotional content I am to try and add, and the therapist also has me reading from Aesop's Fables aloud.

Next I am supposed to try reading dialogue with multiple roles and emotional content.

Yes, there are a few months of work here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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alice1234

Thank you Jentay i have listened to her its helped me a lot this last couple weeks.
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alice1234

Thank you Michelle

I have the voice down pretty well  that head voice took awhile.  i didn't know the other exercises i will try to do them i always want to sound better lol i sound like a posh version of a valley girl.  so i think i have figured out what is wrong with me lately i had that masculine crap pounded in my head for the first 17 years of my life but there is no need now i guess my feminine side is so girly it scares me to feel that happy.  but burning the thing that kept me alive literally was my toughness growing up in a hellacious violent home.  so that has made hyper-vigilant but i know now that my life is quiet and im married to a beautiful woman who supports me unconditionally and there is no need for that ultra masculine crap people at work always thought i am mean till they get to know me a little .  i transitioned 9 years ago when i was 23 and i haven't looked back i just wish these last few steps, that i have put off for years didn't scare me so much  i think i would benefit from a support group but that would mean exposing myself from my Stealth life i am supposed to go to my first apt for hormones legitimately but i may cancel im not sure i can do it, it would mean talking to someone in person about me and its paralyzing.  I'm sorry its so long and a bit off topic but then you and your right we need to stick together, being in the community maybe my saving grace when i first started i was out for the first 2 years and i went to support groups in Chicago it felt great maybe i could "come out" as trans again even in a limited context.   I'm sorry I'm rambling

Thank you
Alice
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Michelle_P

Alice, just get to your first appointment.  Have your spouse drag you there if necessary, but just do this one thing.  It is just a small step, just an appointment, and you aren't being judged.  The doctor or therapist is not judging you.  They just want to make sure you understand what you are getting into and can follow the instructions on your medications.  A simple 'informed consent' session is really easy.  If they want to do multiple sessions, that is a bit more 'old school', but again, your safety and well-being are the concern.

It will be hard to start off talking about gender issues, but a good doctor or therapist will try to set you at ease.  Just try to relax and be honest with them.  There's nothing they haven't heard before, believe me.

Don't cancel.  Just do this one little thing for yourself.  You'll feel so much better afterwards, just like you did after those Chicago group sessions.  You won't be 'outing' yourself to anyone but the doctor or therapist, and they will keep everything strictly confidential. 

Good luck, and I hope the appointment goes well!
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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alice1234

Michelle, Sorry Its been so long since i could reply (long work week) my spouse is making sure i go kicking and screaming my actual therapist is also going to tag along to learn a little more for her toolbox when dealing with LGBT clients.  There is part of me that is looking forward to going but im still terrified.  I keep wondering a list of worries, 1. what if i am to fat to get hrt or GRS 2. what if there is some genetic anomaly that makes surgery never an option 3.  what if after 9 years of evidence they don't believe me or something.  4 what if i freeze up and cant speak(this is possible for me bad anxiety) 5. what if the doses they want me to talk are to low and i don't have any more progress?  and i could go on with a myriad of made up stuff but i just need to go. 

on the plus side my spouse and i have had a long talk and my issue with my voice stems from me afraid of my femininity  which if i acted the way i felt inside scares me a bit so i have been able to use my voice more this week and feel so much better i think at the end of the day im afraid to be happy with myself.  your words and all of you who reply had really helped me this past few weeks thank you from the bottom of my heart.  i will try to go

Always
Alice
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Michelle_P

Go!  Your worries are just that, your worries, and not absolutes to be dropped on you by someone else.  Try not to let them take over your thinking.  Just let them go for now. At your appointment you'll get the actual facts, and the worries will be irrelevant.

You're going to be fine. 
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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alice1234

I want to thank everyone for the advise i went today and got my hormones legitimately, for the first time in 9 years im moving forward again and Michelle my worries wee just that.  it went so well and since the place deals with trans people i felt so comfortable after having a panic attack for the first hour (anxiety really has messed up my life) anyway Thank you all

Always Alice 
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JeanetteLW

Quote from: alice1234 on April 14, 2017, 06:12:30 PM
I want to thank everyone for the advise i went today and got my hormones legitimately, for the first time in 9 years im moving forward again and Michelle my worries wee just that.  it went so well and since the place deals with trans people i felt so comfortable after having a panic attack for the first hour (anxiety really has messed up my life) anyway Thank you all

Always Alice


Well, well, well.  Congratulations Alice. I'm sure it was not easy. It wasn't for me but with the advice and help from the good folk here I was able to do it too.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette
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Michelle_P

Quote from: alice1234 on April 14, 2017, 06:12:30 PM
I want to thank everyone for the advise i went today and got my hormones legitimately, for the first time in 9 years im moving forward again and Michelle my worries wee just that.  it went so well and since the place deals with trans people i felt so comfortable after having a panic attack for the first hour (anxiety really has messed up my life) anyway Thank you all

Always Alice

Well, all right, Alice!  Big deep breath, let it out slowly, and celebrate a bit.

Once you settle back in you'll be doing much better.  Congratulations on facing your worries down, and winning!

Hugs, Michelle
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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