Hi everyone,
I've just joined Susan's Place after a recommendation from emma1017 after I wrote an article on Medium (https://medium.com/@idkjunk/2025-aaa4d06dece0) describing my "big-bang" coming out after New Years.

In short I've been unhappy for a large part of my adult life, totally forgetting that I wanted to be a woman as a teen in the 1980s when of course it was unacceptable, certainly in the UK. I had a typical adult life until I was made redundant 2 years ago and (with "empty nest syndrome") finally let things bubble up.

I'm starting HRT later this month and I am completely out on Facebook and my church choir. There's very few people who now don't know. TBH I'm having a wobble the last two days - I am confident that I'm a woman but my impostor syndrome and people pleasing plays absolute havoc with my confidence walking down the street.

Anyway, that's a little about me!

I admire and covet your bravery.  I'm No one to give advice or take encouragement from... just wanted to say re imposter... no one else in the whole world is as much "you" as you are... authenticly you.  I wish I was as much me, as you are you.

Hello Sam,

I'm Lori Dee. Welcome to Susan's Place!

Thank you for that wonderful introduction. You mentioned that you will be starting HRT soon, does that mean you have a therapist or psychologist working with you? I ask because they can be a very important ally on this journey. You probably already understand some of the obstacles that you will face. Hormones can make you more sensitive (emotional) to rough times, so it is crucial to have a therapist who can help you through it.

I am very proud of the progress you have made so far! For me, I didn't come out until after I started the hormones. I am glad that you are pursuing your goal of happiness.

We strive to make this a safe place to find information and share your thoughts and comments. Our members come from all over the world and have many experiences. No matter who you are, you are always welcome at Susan's Place. Perhaps some of their stories can help you, too.

Clicking the HOME button will take you to a page where you can see the various sub-forums. Feel free to comment and share your experiences.

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I will add some links here that are important for new members. Pay special attention to the links in RED. When you reach 15 posts, you will be able to send and reply to private messages and add an avatar to your profile.

Until then if you have any questions about the Susan's Place site and the Forums, please feel free to contact me at  LoriDee605@outlook.com

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

~ Lori Dee
Forum Staff

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@sam-1311
@Sarah B
@Northern Star Girl

@sam-1311
Dear sam-1311:
I am glad to see that you have registered as a member of Susan's Place and the Forum.
        A warm WELCOME to you.

Other members and staff will be along soon to address some of your comments and questions.

Please be certain to take a look at the Forum Rules that our staff member LoriDee provided
for you in her Official Welcome Message.

I will eagerly be looking for your future postings as you feel comfortable being involved with
sharing and posting.

Warm wishes to you.
HUGS,
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator            Email: alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

Thanks Lori and all. It'll take me a moment to orient to the way the forum works

Regarding HRT and counselling then yes I have been working with a gender-affirming counsellor (trans herself) since February 2024. I also had YEARS of psychoanalysis 20 odd years ago - I was so strongly repressed (?) that my teen gender angst didn't come up once.

I am looking forward to an expanded emotional range as I'm pretty closed off

Hi Samantha!


   Welcome!


Chrissy

Hello Samantha

My name is Sarah and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place!

I see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well.

It sounds like you have taken some incredibly brave steps in embracing who you are.  Coming out so openly on Facebook and in your church choir shows tremendous courage.  I hope you feel supported here as you continue your journey.

Starting HRT later this month is a big step and it is great to hear that you already have a counsellor to guide you.  Having someone who truly understands your experience can make such a difference.  It is also impressive how much reflection and work you have done through psychoanalysis.  Even if it did not bring your gender feelings to the surface back then it is clear that it helped lay the foundation for the openness you are showing now.

You have shown so much strength and courage in being so open about yourself.  I have never told anyone about myself and I have never felt like an impostor because I have always been living each day as myself.  How can you be an impostor when you are living as the person you truly are?  Confidence builds with time and practice and the fact that you are living authentically shows how strong you really are.

Looking forward to hearing more from you as you begin HRT and continue this exciting chapter.  You are not alone and we are all here to cheer you on!

Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads.  I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new members

In addition members of Susan's will more than likely will discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well.

Take care and all the best for the future.

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Mariah  @Northern Star Girl  @Lori Dee
@sam-1311

Samantha,


Please visit this Web site often!  Ask questions, find out some opinions and information, and share what you want.  Have a good week.


Chrissy

Quote from: sam-1311 on January 08, 2025, 10:33:46 AMHi everyone,
I've just joined Susan's Place after a recommendation from emma1017 after I wrote an article on Medium (https://medium.com/@idkjunk/2025-aaa4d06dece0) describing my "big-bang" coming out after New Years.

Hi Samantha,

I just finished reading your article, '2024, 2025, and a New Phase in My Life' on Medium, and I must say it was a truly remarkable and moving read. I deeply appreciate how you shared the kindness you experienced and your honest reflection on the confusion of understanding why this matters to you. Your journey is so relatable, and I want to thank you for sharing your story. I'm looking forward to reading more of your reflections in the future.

Welcome to Susan's Place! I'm so glad you've joined us, your story really hit close to home.

Welcome from Lancashire 

Quote from: sam-1311 on January 08, 2025, 10:50:53 AMI was so strongly repressed (?) that my teen gender angst didn't come up once.

I'm coming to this late, but a warm welcome, Samantha. A lot of us end up going to battle against repression and it's like climbing a mountain in the dark, as in frustrating because you know if the sun was up, you could find a better route. In some that frustration morphs into rage and fatalism, the rest of us end up with our self-confidence taking a knock, or anxiety or whatever, but it sounds to me like you've taken the first steps toward liking yourself.

If you can do that, you won't need the sun to light your way, because your inner light will be enough.

hi from very South Worcestershire , must say I thought I would be stared and pointed at the first time I went out as myself. Far from it and have had very little mis gendering  since.

Quote from: sam-1311 on January 08, 2025, 10:50:53 AMI was so strongly repressed (?) that my teen gender angst didn't come up once.

Something else comes to mind over this. A lot of years ago Michael Palin made a TV series called Ripping Yarns. You probably couldn't make it now, but it was full of insights into being a Brit. One of the most hilarious moments was in an episode called 'The Curse of the Claw' (I think?) in which Palin finds himself on the way to Borneo on a tugboat. The punchline is the crew are so repressed none of them realise they are women.

That hit me like a sledgehammer when I saw it, because although it was supposed to be funny, and seemed extreme, it captured the state of denial I was in about who I was with pinpoint accuracy.

Hello and welome Samantha!

I have just read your story on Medium and am so happy for you! We are both in the same position: Late in life transitioning, wives who we love but cannot be with us as we are now women, and adult children who are happy that we have found our true selves!

Your courage in coming out publicly so quickly is admirable and remarkable and I am sure that you will, like me, feel the warm blanket of calm being pulled over your brain as soon as your proper hormone reaches the receptors that have lain dormant for so many years!

I hope that you also find Susan's as helpful as I have and that you enjoy the diverse group of women who regularly share their thoughts and feelings!

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and feelings!

Bronwynn