I am of the opinion that self-acceptance is the first step of the journey, not the last step. Once you can accept yourself, you're in a better head space to be able to affect the changes to physically become yourself, whoever that may be. Mentally, well, you're pretty much already there. The thought guides the hand rather than the other way around, as it were.

Quote from: Sephirah on September 17, 2012, 07:04:21 PM
I am of the opinion that self-acceptance is the first step of the journey, not the last step. Once you can accept yourself, you're in a better head space to be able to affect the changes to physically become yourself, whoever that may be. Mentally, well, you're pretty much already there. The thought guides the hand rather than the other way around, as it were.

That would be the norm, but there are those who vacillate back and forth from one phase to the next as a result of self doubt and fear. Others have seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path which brings their transition to a screeching halt. I for one am not immune, having been on HRT for several years, FFS, electro, and orchiectomy I quit cold turkey. Of course going back to Testosterone was out of the question and I lived for two years as a eunuch with no hormonal base at all and almost died. I'm back on female HRT having had my thyroid jump started and have modified my journey to womanhood opting for androgyny instead. There were mitigating circumstances and pressures that caused all that, it wasn't any kind of mental illness. One day after being ma'am ed several times something just clicked and I said I can't do this anymore and pulled my diamond earrings out and let the holes grow shut, had all my near shoulder length hair buzzed off, dumped my clothes at Goodwill and put on my baseball cap. Mine is an extreme case, but I know there are many who have those self doubts hammer them continually, and although they don't react in such an extreme manner this is what this thread is all about.

 

Quote from: Sephirah on September 17, 2012, 07:04:21 PM
I am of the opinion that self-acceptance is the first step of the journey, not the last step. Once you can accept yourself, you're in a better head space to be able to affect the changes to physically become yourself, whoever that may be. Mentally, well, you're pretty much already there. The thought guides the hand rather than the other way around, as it were.

This step imo is probably the most challenging. I have been struggling with this and some days it gets the better of me.  Lately I've been feeling that I will never be able to just let myself be free. It's so hard to just let go and surrender to the acceptance of who I am. It's not likely that I will give up, but some days  it's all i can do just to get out of bed. My physical changes are happening and it's hard for the mental changes to keep up. I was explaining this to my spouse about a week ago. I feel that the mental impact of what's going on is the most challenging to over come. It was difficult for her to understand.