Today I hung a mirror in my bathroom. You might think, what's so special about that? About three years ago during a remodel my old mirror was broken. Looking back, it was l a relief not to see myself every morning. I didn't realize that was mild dysphoria at the time. Last week I decided that it's time to be happy with myself. I'm going to learn to love myself in a whole new way. Right after I hung the mirror I put on a little lipstick and blush for the first time. It didn't really look right of course but it felt good. It made me smile at myself. I like seeing Gabrielle in the mirror. My future might be full of loss and disappointment but I am determined to face it with a smile. Love and faith.

Gabrielle 

That's the way to tackle it. Be confident, be happy, HRT will help heal your mind. Practice practice practice and you too will be proud of your choice. I hate to say good luck because luck has nothing to do with it. We were born like this. You just have been searching.

@Gabrielle66 

Hi Gabrielle  - thanks for sharing, definitely keep smiling - that's the key!

Sonja.

@Gabrielle

I understand exactly what you are saying. I hated photos and mirrors my whole life, not putting 2+2 together. Once I knew why, mirrors became the devils tool hanging there just to mock me. I got rid of the ones that I could and focused on small areas of the reflection in the one remaining.

I eventually fought through it to hang a large mirror for my wife to use, it hated me, I hated it ... day after day after day.

Now, while I don't see her every time, my recent changes are enough that I can see myself heading the right way. Most days I don't hate the mirror, just the slowness of the changes. (photos still mock me )

Enjoy the thrill of seeing her in the reflection, that's your true self shining through.

Mirrors are a tricky thing. If you stare too hard you will find all the flaws that we all have and not appreciate the positives. For me, I have two new mirrors. I often will pose with my eyes closed and then flash look trying to get my brain to give my an instant honest response of what I see. The amazing thing is when I do the flash looks my brain responds -- that's a girl! If I just stare at the mirror for a long period of time of course I can find flaws. But, over all, my "quick response" brain says I'm a very cute girl and I'm taking that to the bank!