A week into my HRT and going F/T I went and got a job, I just explained to the employeer what was going on and why I was now Natalie. I didn't look perfect, but I did my best.
It was very difficult going into the interview and I was very scared. A lot of people told me that maybe I should stop being F/T (since it has only been a week or two) and wait until I got the job and was there for a while, and then started transitioning to full time. It made sense, but who am I kidding -- when do I make sense? So, I said screw that I'm not going backwards to make someone else feel more comfortable.
I went to the interview, I held my breath, and wished for the best expecting the worst.
And, I got the job. Name tag with Natalie written all over it. All smiles.
It very heard, and it was hard to not let my fears take over. I had no laser at them. HRT for maybe two weeks, I started F/T the day before I started HRT. It was no easy task, but I'm glad I did it.
Now, I'm not saying everyone should or needs to do it my way -- everyone's different. I was a bit of a punk back then (and I still am) and jumping that fast can be difficult. I probably put myself through a lot more scrutiny than I would have if I waited for the HRT kick in, did my laser, and maybe even knew my co-workers and were comfortable around them. It might have been easier not working in retail either.
My job -- cashier at 7-Eleven. Up front and in the public eye. I'd serve hundreds of customers, some good and some very mean. There were five bars near us, and all of the drunks came to us for their after-bar snacks. Fun times.
The bar right beside our store, actually had a bet going to figure out if I was female or male. There was money involved. The bet go so big and so huge, that they started having people ask and even harass my co-workers, asking which gender I was. They'd also bug me, but I always gave the same answer: Female!
Apparently, the bar holding the bet decided I was female and the ones betting I was male lost their money. In the end, I guess standing up and putting up with that much stuff I gained respect from my co-workers, peers, and even people in the neighbourhood. I wasn't looking for that, although, I was just being myself. It was weird that people started telling me how cool I was to be who I was.
Shrugs. I just wanted to be myself, that's all, and I didn't wanna be someone else to make someone else happier and more comfortable. And, I guess, I realized that most people in this world aren't themselves; most people are too busy trying to impress everyone else by being someone else they're not. They're not very happy, actually... and usually drunk next door making bets to pass the time.
I guess what I'm trying to say with my story is that you should do what's right for you. Don't let your fears dictate what you do in life. And, certainly, don't be someone you're not to make someone else feel better. Be yourself. It's the hardest thing you can do, but also the most rewarding.
I'm also a punk, so that's how I roll. LOL
--natalie