I work shift work in predominantly male workforce with, at times, stress levels that climb off of the charts. I consider myself a fluid gender androgynous person. For the most part I live my life presenting as male. But here lately, I have a strong need to feminize my personna.

I have been wearing womens underwear and jeans for some time now and I have been quite satisfied with my overall life as it were. But, here lately, I have had the strongest desire to shave my legs and underarms and wear all of my jewelry. My wife doesn't go for the shaving so now I am living with the guilt of having gone behind her back. Which in turn leads to more stress. How is the stress/ guilt cycle ever going to end? Life would be so much easier without judgements. Oh well, I guess I will just deal.

the stress and guilt cycle will end once you realize that it doesn't matter what your wife thinks.

I have noticed that I too have a stronger urge to "feminize" in response to stress.  I chalk it up to a desire to escape a stressful situation.  How better to escape than to become somebody else?  I resist the urge to do any more than the normal dual existance I lead during stressful times knowing that it is just an escape mechanism.  Better to meet the stress and deal with it rather than avoiding it.

Rose

I, too, find that stress causes an "increase feminine feelings" and I also self-identify as gender-fluid. I've been turning this over in my mind, but I can't seem to determine why I have this reaction to stress.

Another thing I've noticed is that I appear en femme in my "mind's eye" during times of stress (even during panic attacks).

The idea that it's an escape is an intriguing one.

Quote from: NicoleFoxFan on December 13, 2009, 11:56:18 AM
the stress and guilt cycle will end once you realize that it doesn't matter what your wife thinks.

Your marriage will end too, but whose counting? Least you won't have to worry about feeling guilty!

I don't think that's a good trade.