Just got my train tickets for a visit to the gender clinic on Tuesday. I won't be seeing a professional, just given a guided tour and a bit of a meet and greet by some wonderful volunteers before my official slot comes up. I guess you could call it a milestone in my transition. First contact.

It's a six hour round trip and I've hardly left my home town in 30 years. It's going to be a challenge for me traveling so far on my own. Six months ago it wouldn't have been possible for me to even contemplate such a journey.
So although It doesn't always feel like it progress is being made, I am changing in many ways. Getting more confident, I'm starting to hear the birds chirp again

I'm also faced with the conundrum of what to wear, the black top or the burgundy top, hmmm choices, choices. I think a shopping trip is in order for something more spring like.

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

Hi Sadie,

  Wear the burgundy top AND go shopping for a spring wardrobe update!! Yes, Shopping! 
  Omg, 30 years in the same town ?  My mind refuses to understand when I hear of people never traveling far from their home town or even never leaving the state.  I was born into a military family and until I left my own service hitch I had never lived in one place more than 5.5 years. I went to 3 different schools for 6th grade.  Get yourself out and explore around you. There is a whole world to see out there.
   Enjoy the train ride and the facility tour. Turn it into a mini holiday and enjoy yourself. You can save the serious stuff for when you return for the real business purpose. Yeah I said business because when you return I want you to make sure you let them know you mean business and that you want what you want and nothing less.

  Enjoy the outing Sadie, and don't forget to stop and smell the pretty flowers.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

I read that in Dorothy's voice, "Off to the gender clinic, the wonderful, wonderful gender clinic of Oz".

Quote from: JeanetteLW on April 13, 2017, 10:08:49 AM
Hi Sadie,

  Wear the burgundy top AND go shopping for a spring wardrobe update!! Yes, Shopping! 
  Omg, 30 years in the same town ?  My mind refuses to understand when I hear of people never traveling far from their home town or even never leaving the state.  I was born into a military family and until I left my own service hitch I had never lived in one place more than 5.5 years. I went to 3 different schools for 6th grade.  Get yourself out and explore around you. There is a whole world to see out there.
   Enjoy the train ride and the facility tour. Turn it into a mini holiday and enjoy yourself. You can save the serious stuff for when you return for the real business purpose. Yeah I said business because when you return I want you to make sure yout thin know you mean business and that you want what you want and nothing less.

  Enjoy the outing Sadie, and don't forget to stop and smell the pretty flowers.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

Me neither. I been around the world and back. Never stayed in any place longer than 1.5 years after being an adult.

And I am a professional hermit.

Quote from: JeanetteLW on April 13, 2017, 10:08:49 AM
Hi Sadie,

  Wear the burgundy top AND go shopping for a spring wardrobe update!! Yes, Shopping! 
  Omg, 30 years in the same town ?  My mind refuses to understand when I hear of people never traveling far from their home town or even never leaving the state.  I was born into a military family and until I left my own service hitch I had never lived in one place more than 5.5 years. I went to 3 different schools for 6th grade.  Get yourself out and explore around you. There is a whole world to see out there.
   Enjoy the train ride and the facility tour. Turn it into a mini holiday and enjoy yourself. You can save the serious stuff for when you return for the real business purpose. Yeah I said business because when you return I want you to make sure you let them know you mean business and that you want what you want and nothing less.

  Enjoy the outing Sadie, and don't forget to stop and smell the pretty flowers.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

Thanks Jeanette

Burgundy it is then:) And maybe a hit on the plastic this weekend, but I'm rubbish at clothes shopping. Makeup and I'm all over it, accessories no problem. But with clothes I haven't found my style yet as I've never really been a cross-dresser. I just like sporty, casual, androgynous wear. I'm sure all that will change when the HRT starts and the twins start to show.

I've not been well at all with social anxiety, so traveling has been difficult for me but starting to get better now Sadie is quite a strong person I'm beginning to find, my old life seems like a fading memory. I still have to kick it to touch from time to time, but for the most part things are getting better.

I know I'm in good hands with the gender clinic. Can't wait to meet the team. Very nervous, as is my way, and full of questions, but on the whole happy to be making the first steps. I've been out socially for a good few months now, my family know, so a lot of the groundwork has already been done. I think I'll be o.k.

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

Quote from: Wild Flower on April 13, 2017, 08:42:56 PM
I read that in Dorothy's voice, "Off to the gender clinic, the wonderful, wonderful gender clinic of Oz".

Hi Wild Flower

Yes, sometimes it feels like you're falling down the rabbit hole, and I've always wanted a pair of red shoes:)

Peace and love and all that good stuff

Sadie

I know this isn't going to mean much to everyone, but I survived the seven hour train journey to the clinic:)
For me it was a big deal with my social anxiety history, being in a confined space with lots of strangers, makeup done.
The meet and greet at the clinic was fun. Everyone seemed so relaxed and friendly. I know I'm in the right place to work through my transition. Happy days

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

YAY!! Sadie, You did it!  You did it and survived yet. Train ride and all.  See what you can do if you want something bad enough? Now don't go getting lost in that cozy ol' nest of yours. Work on push your comfort zone boundries out a little. Just a little at a time and you'll be wandering free before you know it.
  I am glad you had a good trip and think you will be in good hands with the clinic. Just another little step toward becoming the girl you want and need to be.

  Hugs,
   Jeanette

Quote from: JeanetteLW on April 19, 2017, 09:54:49 AM
YAY!! Sadie, You did it!  You did it and survived yet. Train ride and all.  See what you can do if you want something bad enough? Now don't go getting lost in that cozy ol' nest of yours. Work on push your comfort zone boundries out a little. Just a little at a time and you'll be wandering free before you know it.
  I am glad you had a good trip and think you will be in good hands with the clinic. Just another little step toward becoming the girl you want and need to be.

  Hugs,
   Jeanette

Thanks for the encouragement Jeanette

I'll get there. It's at least an 18 month wait for me, but I don't feel I'm on my own anymore. I can visit the clinic any time I want, and of course I also have you wonderful ladies to keep me on my toes if I have a wobble.

I'm off clothes shopping tomorrow. I'm going to ask for help and advice from the store staff ladies on what they think might suit me. That's my 'out of my comfort zone' challenge for the day.

Peace and Love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

Congrats on your big trip, Sadie--yay! So happy to hear that it went well. And happy to help you while away the 18 month wait here at Susan's.

Good luck with the clothes shopping--let us know how it goes!

Quote from: Shy on April 19, 2017, 02:20:06 PM
Thanks for the encouragement Jeanette

I'm off clothes shopping tomorrow. I'm going to ask for help and advice from the store staff ladies on what they think might suit me. That's my 'out of my comfort zone' challenge for the day.

Peace and Love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

I am glad it's "your" out of my comfort zone' challenge and not mine Sadie.  Good Luck.

Hugs,
   Jeanette

Quote from: p on April 19, 2017, 08:32:16 PM
Congrats on your big trip, Sadie--yay! So happy to hear that it went well. And happy to help you while away the 18 month wait here at Susan's.

Good luck with the clothes shopping--let us know how it goes!

Thanks P.
Yeh, 18 months seems like a long time, but I'm sure it will pass quickly. Thanks for the offer:) I need all the help I can get being an old noob.

Clothes shopping got put on hold, I had to do some rush artwork for an autistic society. So it's been a bit hectic around these parts. Maybe tomorrow:)

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

Quote from: JeanetteLW on April 19, 2017, 11:06:22 PM
I am glad it's "your" out of my comfort zone' challenge and not mine Sadie.  Good Luck.

Hugs,
   Jeanette

After all the challenges you've recently overcome Jeanette a trip out shopping doesn't even compare.

Heck, we ladies are supposed to like shopping, but I don't think that gene is activated in me yet. Maybe HRT will fire it up;)
I just look at all the rows and rows of clothes in the stores and get sensory overload. Asking for assistance isn't a challenge it's a necessity to stop me spontaneously combusting and burning the store down

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

  But Sadie...
   
   I have never gone clothes shopping in girl mode and have never sought help from store people. Beside that scaring the heck out of me you have this impossibility of trying something on to see if it fits. Nope, not me, ain't gunna happen, no way.  You get the idea...

  But I'll encourage you to do it.. lmao.  Go girl, get-er-done!

  Hugs,
Jeanette