Even though my family and some of my close friends know that I am transgender I just can't seem to come out all the way and sometimes go to extremes to appear manly when all the time I feel female inside. Does anyone else have this problem and how can I overcome this.

Your already on the right track my dear, talking about your problem is a great way to overcome it.
and stop acting so manly  , it is so much more difficult to try to be someone your not than to just be you. and maybe some of the people around you can see through that 'facade'
and wonder to themselves who you really are. Well the new year is coming, have any resolutions?

*Hint, Hint*-> Let Tori Lynn be Tory Lynn in 2009 

Nicole

Thank you so much Nicole, I think that's wonderful advice ( big smile)

One of my favorite quotes from the eastern philosopher and poet Ravindranath Tagore simply goes:

"The weak are terrible when they try to appear strong!"

To me, its not just the weak, but anyone who is trying to be something they are not that is cruel to everyone around including ourselves because we are putting on an act and have to overdo it. I prefer to think that it takes more strength to be gentle in a trying moment than it does to punch somebody's lights out in a brawl.  Maybe thats one of the fantasies of us transgender types, but I would like to believe its true.
 
We do have a whole new year coming up, I too want to make it a year I can be the real me.

A couple of more quotes I saw many years ago on a TG board

"We stand at the crossroads of gender, balanced on the sharp edge of a knife"

and

"Masquerading as a "normal person" everyday can be exhausting"

Take care.

Anne

Quote from: AnneW on December 31, 2008, 09:35:33 PM
"We stand at the crossroads of gender, balanced on the sharp edge of a knife"

Hmmm! thats a very familiar quote I wonder where I saw it?
.......Oh I remember now, its at the top of this board... 

Hi Honey

This is one of the most common behaviours of MtF. We go out and try to do all the guy stuff, hoping it will "cure" us. Guess what, it doesn't. This is why so many are married. This is why many have been in the Forces. This is why so many have gone on camping trips etc with male friends when an offer of going shopping for clothes is what we wish.

It probably means you are a TG. Welcome and I hope your life will now be of peace and solace.

I now love bubble baths. Facials. Manicures. Pedicures.
Not too keen on waxing, etc.

I'm happier knowing who I am

Love
Cindy J 

most people are afraid of such a drastic change, especially when changing sex. all people want is a "normal" life, then we come along and screw up that whole process for them and it's like they can't think straight anymore. they are so use to person A being person A that when Person A becomes person K it's so far out of touch with reality for them they don't want to recognize it. they don't want to lose person A to person K for a myriad of reasons. some want to cling to person A so bad that they want to force person K back into the closet and hope she dies never to be thought of again, because that's easier for them. they don't want to have to do something new if they don't want to.

people in my family want me to go back in the closet and hide too, they want my to leave and take the kids probably so i never see them again, she says she couldn't do that to me, but i'm sure some in her family would help to see that happen, but i'm not sure. i'm trying to take it very slow, but some people just never see the light, no matter how bright it is.