Hello all.  My name is Alana Ashleigh.

WELCOME TO MY NEW Blog Thread here on the Susan's Place Forum.
                                       Alana's Journey
I look forward to finding like-minded members here that I can exchange comments and thoughts with. 
Please feel free to stop by and say hello.

I registered as a member here and introduced myself a little over a year ago on March 25, 2024
You can read my Introduction Posting below to learn a little more about me.
                                          INTRODUCTIONS - Hi everyone                    
                        https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247709.0.html

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing you visit me on my Blog Thread.

Warmly, Alana

@Alana Ashleigh 
Dear Alana Ashleigh:
I am so very happy to see that you have started your own Blog thread here on the Forum.

You can consider your Blog thread as your HOME here on the Forum where your readers and
followers can  find you to leave their comments and to share with you. 

Also your Blog thread is your shared personal journal that you can use to write down your thoughts
and comments as you navigate your journey and your life endeavors.

I have some older Blog threads here from several years ago that I still go back to
read what I had shared...  great memories of my trials and tribulations as I documented
my own journey. 

I also keep a personal "old school" pen & paper journey for my eyes only... complete with
colorful doodling and snapshot pictures. 
On a cold and rainy night I can be found in my comfy chair in front of my warm fireplace
reading over some of my past writings... sometimes with tears in my eyes and sometimes
with a smile on my face.

As you feel free to share your story you can find comfort in knowing that when you
share your heartache, trials, difficulties and unpleasant experiences that test your
resilience and strength... that you have like-minded members and friends here that will
be at your side to offer their shoulders for you to lean on, and their ears to listen.
On the other hand, when you share your successes, accomplishments,and happy moments we will
rejoice with you and help you to celebrate those good times in your journey.

I look forward to following your "Alana's Journey" Blog thread and I also am
eagerly looking for your future postings around the various threads on the Forum.

My warmest HUGS ... and happy Blogging and Journaling
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]   
The Forum Administrator

Hi, Alana Ashleigh! Welcome to Blogland!

I hope you enjoy sharing... well, whatever you choose to share here. It's your place, so make it your own. I look forward to reading it.

Best wishes,
Pema``

Alana,


I am looking forward to reading all of your posts!


Chrissy

Today is my 71st day on hrt, and I'm really starting to notice changes happening. My chest has been sore, achy, and tender for the last few days. I have a noticeable jiggle on my chest now. My lower body is slowly filling out, has some jiggle too now. My skin feels velvety smooth now as well.

@Alana Ashleigh
Dear Alana:
Thank you for sharing your "happy" report.
        HRT is "magic"
 
At 2 to 3 months as you discovered, certainly changes will become quite apparent,
not just to you but also those that are close to you
 
At 6 months to a year or two there might be no easy ways to hide it...
... so stealth is more difficult if one decides not to come out.

HUGS, Danielle

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 22, 2025, 11:07:37 AMToday is my 71st day on hrt, and I'm really starting to notice changes happening. My chest has been sore, achy, and tender for the last few days. I have a noticeable jiggle on my chest now. My lower body is slowly filling out, has some jiggle too now. My skin feels velvety smooth now as well.

Congratulations on starting a blog, Alana! I look forward to reading your posts and sharing your journey (you're app. 50 days ahead of me on HRT). Although I did have a fleeting 'yikes' moment when Danielle mentioned 'stealth' may become a more difficult tactic to employ as we go forward. I am stealth everywhere except inside my own home and on my own land. Binders? I don't know. Guess we'll get it figured out at some point.   

Alana, that's great! Keep the good news coming!

Alana,

I agree that it is hard to be hiding a feminized body after about a year for sure, but less time for others.  You can have people wonder if you are female or male because your body may not have fully transitioned.  With effort one can hide your changes to some extent if you want to do so but that is not something most of want to do. 

The softer skin is wonderful.  I wish I was prettier but at least I look at my body and it does appear that I more feminine than masculine. 

You will need to adjust to this change to a female appearance.  People around you will notice changes.  They might not ask you if you are transitioning but they may wonder, at least they will see that "something is different now" if you have not outed yourself to them.

Of course, if you present as female these changes are most welcome.  If you do not, that can be problematic. 

I have had MTF therapy sessions that seriously discussed the need for self adjustment, it is part of self acceptance.  There is more much than looks too.  As you have more real life experience as a woman there are a lot of adjustments.  I went slowly, not working out as good as I wanted it to be, however, it is much better now.

I hope your journey goes well, and remember, there are no standard timetables.  Take a pause as needed.  Take some new steps as you are comfortable and it is practical to do so.

Yes, you can detransition but I would imagine that would be very difficult for most, but right for some.

It is exciting to see body changes.  I thought my breast growth topped out but was surprised later on by another spurt.  I still have very little hip expansion though but better rounded thighs and a little rounder bottom sure beats that flat butt look.  Wish there was more, but not lots and lots.

Eventually, you will decide how open you wish to be with others.  There are levels of openness. 
Family, friends, coworkers, those you do not know, etc.  You may decide to be more of an activist or be a more private MTF.  I just like blending in and being me.  Ideally the world would know me only as a woman and the past is not brought up but I am unsure if that result could ever happen in today's society. 


Hugs,

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on July 22, 2025, 02:37:34 PMAlana,



It is exciting to see body changes.  I thought my breast growth topped out but was surprised later on by another spurt.  I still have very little hip expansion though but better rounded thighs and a little rounder bottom sure beats that flat butt look.  Wish there was more, but not lots and lots.

I was very nervous a few weeks ago about the changes. However, now that the changes are happening, it feels exciting, and very validating. Seeing the changes validates my femininity. Having a more feminine lower is  very important to me.

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 22, 2025, 05:03:51 PMI was very nervous a few weeks ago about the changes. However, now that the changes are happening, it feels exciting, and very validating. Seeing the changes validates my femininity. Having a more feminine lower is  very important to me.

Alana,


I am really still waiting for wider hips that may never arrive.  So I do wear at times pants that are a size too big as they have more material to maybe make it look that I have more of a nice lower shape, and curvy cut pants and jeans help too.  Corsets can provide a nice shape but that is a bit extreme for everyday.

But I do not like much extra material or baggy so that is not for everyday either! 

Enjoy your journey.

Chrissy

I had been feeling very euphoric at the beginning of the week. I felt like I had swagger in my step. However, the last two days, I've felt very "meh." I'm not sure if it's the hormones making me feel like this. I have an appointment with a new doctor next week for hrt, so I'm hoping my levels get checked.

@Alana Ashleigh
Dear Alana:
I trust that your next weeks HTR doctor review goes well for you.

I understand your frustration AND for me there are also times
that I am not feeling like I am running on all 8 cylinders.
 
It is not always related to hormone levels or other body
health issues.  For me it can also be things like my relationship
issues or other employment and life events that affect how I feel
mentally and approach my day.

I am enjoying following your journey.  Keep the updates coming.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 24, 2025, 02:23:19 PMI had been feeling very euphoric at the beginning of the week. I felt like I had swagger in my step. However, the last two days, I've felt very "meh." I'm not sure if it's the hormones making me feel like this. I have an appointment with a new doctor next week for hrt, so I'm hoping my levels get checked.

You knew I was going to poke my nose in eventually.

*massive hugs*

Love you, AA. <3

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 24, 2025, 02:23:19 PMI had been feeling very euphoric at the beginning of the week. I felt like I had swagger in my step. However, the last two days, I've felt very "meh." I'm not sure if it's the hormones making me feel like this. I have an appointment with a new doctor next week for hrt, so I'm hoping my levels get checked.

This too likely will pass.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on July 24, 2025, 08:33:58 PMThis too likely will pass.

I hope so. Today was really tough.

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 25, 2025, 07:06:42 PMI hope so. Today was really tough.

Girl, you know you can always message me when you're feeling down, okay?

*big hugs*

<3

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on July 25, 2025, 07:06:42 PMI hope so. Today was really tough.

Some days are not as good as others.  Look for better days around the corner.  They will arrive.

Chrissy

Alana, I'm sorry it's been rough. Hang in there, friend. It ebbs and flows. I try to keep in mind that all of these feelings are part of the human experience, so even the "less likable" ones show us the breadth of who we are. And sometimes it's still pretty icky.

We're with you.

May today be a GREAT day for you Alana!

Chrissy