Hi everyone,

I've lived my entire life knowing that although I was born a man I am really a woman. So I dont for 1 minute question my feelings. But what kills me the most is making the decision to start transitioning. I think of being a complete woman... constantly. Perhaps being part of this group is a start? But to take it one step further is difficult. Did many of you have the same problem?

Davina

read my post of desensitized GID and you will find the answer to that question. 

Hi Lauren,
your post only partially answers my question. In most instances we have identical problems. But I never question my feelings about being a woman and my desire to transition. I question my ability to make that decision to follow through with it even though I know its the right thing to do.

I am aware, the first step is always the hardest.  What others have said is to be prepared to lose everything for it.  Do not expect people to stick by you.  If they do that is great.  There is no good time to tell a person.  obviously if your family and others are struggling with their own stuff at a certain point, you might not want to tell them right then. 

Sorry I can't be much help, as you can see, even you know more than I do about this.  At least you know who you are and that is the most important. 

Hi Davina.  Welcome to Susan's.

Starting is the hardest.  There are lots of hard parts later, but for me the hardest was to begin.  The biggest hurdle is self-acceptance - accepting this facet of you and how it may affect the rest of your life.  That's where therapy comes in - to help you figure out if you want to do something about it and, if so, how to go about it.  Just because you know you are a woman but have a man's body doesn't mean you will want to or need to transition.

For many of us, we spend a long time with the devil we know - GID - because we're afraid the devil we don't know - trying to transition - will be worse.  There is a lot of soul-searching in this process, especially in the beginning.

Good luck on your journey, wherever it may lead you.

- Kate

Hi Kate,

I have accepted who I am and most certainly want to transition. Its doing something about it that is so difficult. I wish I was where you are right now. Thanks for the advice, I need all I can get.

Davina

Baby steps.  One day at a time.  Each day bring a new challenge and that is part of the fun of transition.



Hugs and Love
Janet

Davina,
It wasn't that long ago that I was where you are.  As I said, the hardest part for me was to begin.  I knew at last that I had to deal with all this, but where do you start? 

I started by preparing myself to come out to my friends.  It took quite a while for me to prepare so that I could do it well.  Then it was like stepping off a cliff, not knowing whether I would land in the soft bushes or on the hard rocks.  As I was able to build a network of supporters, though, things started moving along pretty well, with all sorts of bumps and difficulties, but the way was pretty clear by then.

In preparing to come out to my friends, I had to think long and hard about the possibility of losing them - what would I do?  And I had to think about the possibility of violence - not from my friends but from strangers.  When I finally decided that I could handle those possibilities if I had to, I proceeded to work on how I would come out.

Good luck, sweetie.  Gather your supporters where you can find them.

- Kste

It has taken me twenty years to finally decide to transition.   Over the years I have started to transition six or seven times and chickened out.   I have purged my wardrobe on countless occasions only to go on vast spending sprees (fun!).   I have thrown myself into sport and hobbies to divert my own attention only for the dyshoria to raise its head again.

I don't think my story is different to a lot of others.  It takes guts to transition and throughout the process there will be times of stress and upset.   Find a Counsellor, even if it is only on the net.   A good support network is essential to help you through the big life changes ahead

Hi Davina
I've been reading all the replies, I realy can not add any more. All the girls have good adivce. In the end you must follow your inner self. Don't be pressured into to doing something that will hurt you. In a strange way we all have a long way to travel.
Sarah