This has most likely been asked before. My therapist asked me to ask people what changes they have made in their lives for positive improvements and I thought I would ask what improvements in life of anyone who has transitioned.

A sense of inner peace. No more anger over being wrong. I've been told I'm much more fun to be around and that I appear to be a lot happier now ...no more secret to hide so that stress got lifted   

My wife says since coming out that I am more confident

The biggest improvement has been my sex life.  I don't get depressed afterwards.

I haven't transitioned yet, but there's distinct ways that transexual friends have improved upon transitioning.  There was one who used to always get in fights and stuff, and when she transitioned, she has grown to not pounce at someone beating them half to death with a hairtrigger temper.  She's still pretty rough though... :S  Another friend has been clearly trying to figure out how to sort out inner emotions for a long time, and transitioning has finally given her peace on the whole subject, whether or not she's actually realized it. o.o

Happiness, confidence, self-worth, better relationships with both parents (this surprised me) and finally being able to be seen by the world as I want to be seen.

of course improvements in general overall well being, but that aside the ability to finally "move on" with life.   Focusing on my career rather than perseverating on becoming female has been the biggest improvement from transitioning.

Before 'transition' I was: quiet, sullen, a loner, shy, anti-social, always depressed, and spent years on the verge of suicide.

After transition I was: outgoing, funny, the life of the party, social, loving, sensitive with a zest for life. 34+ years post and life keeps getting better!

I own 200% more longboards than I did pre-transition...I'd call that a positive.

well lets say I have lots of self confident now, I feel very sexy, and I love the way I look in the mirror, I feel way more socially connected , I feel like my life has meaning now, and I could have any guy or girl I wanted , I love how soft my skin is getting , I love my boobs, they are really small but I love this so much.

I no longer feel like I am wasting my life, and I am really happy now, I will be more so much I have SRS.

I'm not permanently sad anymore, not giving up on life; my soul is no longer withering away.  A very real improvement is that I no longer need high blood pressure meds- somewhere along the way of transition my BP went down and stayed down, so my doctor told me I didn't need to take the pills anymore.  I think it was a combination of having the right hormones and being at peace with myself for the first time in my life.

I'm happier
I'm more confident
I'm more outgoing
I'm doing better at work
I'm more comfortable
I don't get bouts of depression anymore
I take better care of myself

One thing that's important to note, these are all subject to whatever you put into them. I still had to work pretty hard to really be comfortable and happy. Transition just removed some road blocks.

No longer sad, no longer depressed with suicidal thoughts, mental relief, inner peace and as I get told my old friends a far nicer person to be around.

1. I found an intense sense of peace and accomplishment
2. A profoundly increased sense of self esteem
3. A wonderful sex life (just being honest! lol)
4. The ability to share my story with my friends
5. Just the joy of being unique has been a wonderful improvement
6. The improvements of my immediate family was extraordinary. We talk almost everyday now.

Quote from: Annah on June 27, 2011, 09:26:38 PM3. A wonderful sex life (just being honest! lol)

oh yeah, definitely that!

Quote from: Annah on June 27, 2011, 09:26:38 PM
6. The improvements of my immediate family was extraordinary. We talk almost everyday now.

Yes!  This is perhaps the most surprising part to me.

I got my family  back. My GID kept me alienated from my family. I couldn't let them know the real me so I was a dick. Now I have started adressing my gender issues I have become allot more civil and personable.
I got many of the friends I lodt over the years back. Same reason as why I lost my family.

I smile all the time. I ussed o walk around looking pissed. Because I was.

I am no longer rulled by an out of control libido. Sexuality does not control me any longer. (I was attempting to f*** myself into manhood. Epic fail.)

I am no longer suicidal. I look forward to life as a woman. Living a mans life was hell.

I am much more emotionaly stable.

I have been able to adress the real reasons behind being seriously addicted to harder drugs in the past. Although I do not practice sobriety I have been able to keep myself in check the 1 time I have strayed. I no longer need drugs to mask GID. I am facing it so the drugs loose their alure and just become anouther way of being intoxicated. Which to be honest I do not like being intoxicated except for ritual use and attendance of concerts.

But the biggest improvement for me is that I am living my life as a woman. I am taking the steps I can to fix my body issues. Life is good.

Thanks for all the replies ladies.
You have given me thoughts about how they correspond to what I am feeling, How I can further expand on my feelings to my existing therapist and if or should be when I find a new therapist that I will know how to express my feelings without getting all muddled up.
- No I haven't got a new therapist as yet, to those wondering, not going into that here.

Some of the Improvements I have a lot of similarities, mainly :
Being accepted for who I really am, no longer having that secret, feeling that I can make friends without being paranoid about how they react when I come out and possibly losing them
Not wanting to self harm or mutilate certain parts of my anatomy
Fixing the body issues to match my mind as much as is possible
Not having my male sex drive rule my life and having a sex life that feels right
Being happy and living how 'I' feel comfortable

It's a long process and feel this as valuable for the therapy process

I have a reason to actually LIVE rather than just exist. 

I feel like I actually love myself, and by extension, everyone else. I may detest something they have done, but I don't hate any more. 

Everything is more vibrant, colourful and enjoyable than when I was G******. He suffered from chronic Depression, which I don't have.

And lots more really good stuff.

Karen.

Quote from: Karynm8621 on June 27, 2011, 11:16:18 AM
A sense of inner peace. No more anger over being wrong. I've been told I'm much more fun to be around and that I appear to be a lot happier now ...no more secret to hide so that stress got lifted

I think you've probably nailed it Karyn and the way I felt too. You look very natural and it's definitely so right for you.