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Can someone please help me understand.

Started by gwencook, March 19, 2018, 12:05:57 PM

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gwencook

Hey all,
So despite my last post saying I was intending to be a lot more active things happened in life which meant my mind was on other things.
Anyways, back in December through to January/February my mind to me was extremely clear: I was female (assigned male at birth).  I had saved to start visiting a private specialist and had even emailed them as to book an appointment for the end of February. However, I had a chat with my mom before hand and she essentially said that while she would never cut me out of her life she would never ever agree I was right in being female. She started coming out with the usual "oh your such a handsome lad" stuff. Not long after this a very important figure who I missed for my life came back in and now I'm going with them for a year in a different country.
So essentially I left the idea of all gender issues at a place where I would know they were there but wouldn't be as fussed by them. This doesn't work. The gender issues for me if not looked at eventually find a way to come back with a vengeance. I'll end up going to a deep depression and highly contemplate ending things permanent.
So this is where my confusion comes in and it's in two parts so please bear with me:
1) whenever I look at another female instantly my mind tells me that I wish I was them not that I had similar traits like long hair or breasts, but that I actually was that female. A little after my mind sometimes tells me I wish I had hair like hers and could style it, or I wish had her breasts etc. Is this normal for other people to instantly wish to be someone else before putting the traits onto oneself? Which leads to point two.
2) my therapist a few weeks ago asked me to think of the following question and get back to her "how do I see my appearance in my mind?" Now for me I find this very strange, and stranger still to explain it, the way I view myself changes constantly. My best way of explaining would be to say it's like a ghost limb. In my mind the breasts are already there, the long hair is already there etc. No obviously I've never had female looks or appendage so I wouldn't know the weighting or exact feel etc but to me it feels at time like its already a part of me. And yet at other times these feelings won't be there. Its not a case of that I constantly hate the way that I look its more that when I see myself as a bit more male my mind tells me I'd rather be female then present as a male rather then be a male who presents as female.
I'm not overly sure if any of this make sense but any and all help would be much appreciated.
Much love xox
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Meghan

That's why you need to talk to Behavior Health specialist to clear your mind about who you are and what you want to do. Gender Dysphoria is hardest thing you have to face and you don't have to do this alone.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Meghan Pham: MtF Transgender, Transsexual, Transwoman, social justice, Caregivers, Certified Nurse Assistant
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Sephirah

Okay, I'll answer based on my own experience.

Quote from: gwencook on March 19, 2018, 12:05:57 PM
1) whenever I look at another female instantly my mind tells me that I wish I was them not that I had similar traits like long hair or breasts, but that I actually was that female. A little after my mind sometimes tells me I wish I had hair like hers and could style it, or I wish had her breasts etc. Is this normal for other people to instantly wish to be someone else before putting the traits onto oneself? Which leads to point two.

Yes, for me it was very normal. I understand totally what you're trying to say. And this is something that, I feel is kind of important to understand and get your head around. It's a subtle but significant thing. You don't want to be like someone, you want to be yourself. It isn't what someone has, or how they look, but that they come from a foundation which facilitates that. It's like... hmm... for the sake of an example let's say guys were made out of stone, and women were made from clay. The desire isn't the sculpture that could be made from that stone, or clay, it's the desire to be actually made of the other one to how you are right now. The need to be made from clay, to be allowed to sculpt yourself, you know?

Quote
2) my therapist a few weeks ago asked me to think of the following question and get back to her "how do I see my appearance in my mind?" Now for me I find this very strange, and stranger still to explain it, the way I view myself changes constantly. My best way of explaining would be to say it's like a ghost limb. In my mind the breasts are already there, the long hair is already there etc. No obviously I've never had female looks or appendage so I wouldn't know the weighting or exact feel etc but to me it feels at time like its already a part of me. And yet at other times these feelings won't be there. Its not a case of that I constantly hate the way that I look its more that when I see myself as a bit more male my mind tells me I'd rather be female then present as a male rather then be a male who presents as female.
I'm not overly sure if any of this make sense but any and all help would be much appreciated.
Much love xox

It does make sense, Gwen. It's about your core sense of self, not your outward expression. As I said above, it's more about the foundation than what's built upon it. And that's kinda what I think you feel. It's something separate from what you like to do, or the way you like to dress. It's how you feel at the very centre of your being. The thing your whole life springs from. And it makes a lot of sense to me. Feeling you are who you are, is different from feeling like you want to be who you are.

I feel the same way you do. A lot, honestly. I get what you're trying to say. You're trying to see the world as you. But it's more an instinctual level than any particular physical attribute, or sense of appearance. It's just being. It's knowing you are who you are without needing to quantify it by saying "I need this particular bust size, or that particular hair style/colour." It's just knowing. The ghost limb feeling is one I understand. It's more like a ghost body.

Women don't always have to be "girly". But however we are, we're still women. I think that's what you're realising, and how you feel. I would say that's a pretty deep level of insight about yourself, actually.

*extra big hug*

What, specifically are you confused about, sweetie?
Natura nihil frustra facit.

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." ~ Buddha.

If you're dealing with self esteem issues, maybe click here. There may be something you find useful. :)
Above all... remember: you are beautiful, you are valuable, and you have a shining spark of magnificence within you. Don't let anyone take that from you. Embrace who you are. <3
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Cassi

Sounds to me that in your mind you've already accepted that you are female and by asking these questions attempting to rationalize that you aren't.

To me, the key is the effort and emotional stress of suppressing your true self and the discomfort, rigidness and controlled anger you feel for having to.

Make sense?
HRT since 1/04/2018
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PurpleWolf


Hi, haven't read the other responses yet and I'm a guy, bear in mind!
Yes, all this sounds very normal to me!

Quote from: gwencook on March 19, 2018, 12:05:57 PM
1) whenever I look at another female instantly my mind tells me that I wish I was them not that I had similar traits like long hair or breasts, but that I actually was that female. A little after my mind sometimes tells me I wish I had hair like hers and could style it, or I wish had her breasts etc. Is this normal for other people to instantly wish to be someone else before putting the traits onto oneself?
I think this is very normal indeed  :)! I have thought similar.

Quote from: gwencook on March 19, 2018, 12:05:57 PM
2) my therapist a few weeks ago asked me to think of the following question and get back to her "how do I see my appearance in my mind?" Now for me I find this very strange, and stranger still to explain it, the way I view myself changes constantly. My best way of explaining would be to say it's like a ghost limb. In my mind the breasts are already there, the long hair is already there etc. No obviously I've never had female looks or appendage so I wouldn't know the weighting or exact feel etc but to me it feels at time like its already a part of me. And yet at other times these feelings won't be there. Its not a case of that I constantly hate the way that I look its more that when I see myself as a bit more male my mind tells me I'd rather be female then present as a male rather then be a male who presents as female.
I def get this 100%!!! When I'm not faced with the facts (such as looking in the mirror that reminds me I do have a femal(ish) body...), in my mind's eye I do see myself looking like a guy. So when I'm typing here for example I tend to forget I even look female...! I sort of 'expect' to look like a guy (all the time), though consciously thinking about it I ofc know I don't. Similarly I envision to have a penis - as if I had one and could grab one if I wanted to. Though rationally knowing ofc I don't.

For me if I do consciously think I do look female - that produces body dysphoria!!! I def don't want to think of myself like that! I think it's very normal you see yourself as a woman in your mind's eye.
!!!REBIRTH=legal name change on Feb 16th 2018!!!
This is where life begins for me. It's a miracle I finally got it done.


My body is the home of my soul; not the other way around.

I'm more than anything an individual; I'm too complex to be put in any box.

- A social butterfly not living in social isolation anymore  ;D -
(Highly approachable but difficult to grasp)


The past is overrated - why stick with it when you are able to recreate yourself every day
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Kylo

Can't say I ever looked at a random dude and wished I was him. I mean there are men I wish I was like, or would probably prefer their lives to mine, but they're specific men. I've never thought the first male person I saw in the street would be a good idea.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong.

Have I wished I was someone other than me? Sure, but not very often in the sense of projecting my wish to be someone in the real world I can see. But other people seem to do it, so I guess it's probably fairly normal when you have this condition.

The ghost limb idea is prevalent though. Yeah, I get that. Before surgery I had a sense of having a flat chest that obviously wasn't the case but I would tend to feel like it was. And the other "ghost limb" as well. Seems to have been corroborated by being present in dreams. Yeah I think that's quite common.
"If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
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MeTony

I have not wished to be someone else. I am myself. I have wished I look like David Beckham or other guys with a nice body. But I have no wish to be them. I am chubby with a beer belly. But I think that is normal to compare and wish to look like someone else. I know what I have to do to look good. But motivation for being at the gym 5 days/week is missing.

In my mind my chest is flat. My breasts are some fatty lumps always being in the way for me. They are annoying and I am happy there is a way to be rid of them. My image in my mind does not match the image in the mirror.


Tony
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gwencook

Hey all,
Thank you all for your replies it means a great deal to me knowing that I'm not alone in this way of thinking, especially with point 2. .

"The desire isn't the sculpture that could be made from that stone, or clay, it's the desire to be actually made of the other one to how you are right now." Sephirah this quote actually really struck with me as I have never heard it presented in this way and I feel that I can actually relate to that a lot.

I guess I'm just really confused by these thoughts to whether or not I'm actually female especially with the first question.
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