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Val's Voyage

Started by Valerie.Val, May 19, 2026, 06:18:52 AM

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Petunia

Congratulations Valerie

KristaFairchild

Quote from: tgirlamg on June 30, 2026, 08:42:27 AM🎊🎉🎉🎉💕🤗💕 🎉🎉🎉🎊 Congrats Val!!!
Quote from: Valerie.Val on June 30, 2026, 03:00:33 PMThank you all, dear girlfriends. 🌸🎉🤗
Big hugs for everyone!
I'll definitely keep you all posted, and like @Lori Dee I shall remember this day forever.
I'm soooo excited for you! You've been of the women I follow carefully. Enjoy the journey! 
😃❤️

davina61

After 9 years its still a good feeling, well done my dear enjoy the ride.
a long time coming (out) HRT 12 2017
GRS 2021 5th Nov

Jill of all trades mistress of non
Know a bit about everything but not enough to be clever

Valerie.Val

Quote from: Petunia on June 30, 2026, 06:31:21 PMCongratulations Valerie
Thank you so much, Petunia <3

Quote from: KristaFairchild on June 30, 2026, 07:00:41 PMI'm soooo excited for you! You've been of the women I follow carefully. Enjoy the journey!
😃❤️
Wow thank you, I feel honored 🥰🤭

Quote from: davina61 on July 01, 2026, 03:11:33 AMAfter 9 years its still a good feeling, well done my dear enjoy the ride.
Sounds great, I'll subscribe to that 🥳

Valerie.Val

Today started great, I felt good and we went shopping for cosmetics. But my confidence suddenly collapsed as there were so many young and pretty cis women around, I felt totally out of place. Did that happen to you gals, too? How to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?

Charlotte Kitty

Quote from: Valerie.Val on Yesterday at 05:37:22 PMToday started great, I felt good and we went shopping for cosmetics. But my confidence suddenly collapsed as there were so many young and pretty cis women around, I felt totally out of place. Did that happen to you gals, too? How to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?

I just put my shoulders up and a little smile. But relaxed at the same time. Breathe out to release. Know that you're amazing being where you are now in life and holding your own amongst the younger ones.

I guess its easier to say, but thats how I pull off being me, often in some very attention grabbing outfits! It should hopefully help in your situation too.

Northern Star Girl

Quote from: Valerie.Val on Yesterday at 05:37:22 PMToday started great, I felt good and we went shopping for cosmetics. But my confidence suddenly collapsed as there were so many young and pretty cis women around, I felt totally out of place. Did that happen to you gals, too? How to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?
  @Valerie.Val
Dear Val:
My thoughts are that many cis-women and trans gals have moments and thoughts like you had mentioned.

Each of us need to be thankful with whatever we have and do what what we can to work with
the "canvas" that we have been given and work toward improving our appearance and our presentation.
 
Confidence and self-assurance are important personal attributes.  A happy attitude and a
friendly and bright smile will go a long way to assist in that effort.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

HUGS, Danielle
[Northern Star Girl]
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KristaFairchild

Quote from: Valerie.Val on Yesterday at 05:37:22 PMToday started great, I felt good and we went shopping for cosmetics. But my confidence suddenly collapsed as there were so many young and pretty cis women around, I felt totally out of place. Did that happen to you gals, too? How to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?
Interesting and I see that point of view, but don't feel it. Maybe because I've always connected with all ages? And young people are less likely to be bigoted toward trans women? And I have no hope of liking young and pretty. 

It's the middle aged and older men that make me nervous . We have people flying confederate flag in my area. We had a double murder if a gay couple - only because they were gay. It's much safer now but we have lunatics. I carry pepper spray 

Alana Ashleigh

Quote from: Valerie.Val on June 30, 2026, 07:53:19 AMAaaand... HRT has officially begun 💗💜🙃🥰🥹🎶👩🏻♀️

Congratulations, Valerie!
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Lori Dee

Quote from: Valerie.Val on Yesterday at 05:37:22 PMHow to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?

I just remember that I am older and wiser. Who knows, maybe they think, "I hope I look like her when I get that age!"
My Life is Based on a True Story <-- The Story of Lori
The Story of Lori, Chapter 2
Veteran U.S. Army - SSG (Staff Sergeant) - M60A3 Tank Master Gunner
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Alana Ashleigh

Quote from: Valerie.Val on Yesterday at 05:37:22 PMToday started great, I felt good and we went shopping for cosmetics. But my confidence suddenly collapsed as there were so many young and pretty cis women around, I felt totally out of place. Did that happen to you gals, too? How to deal with that. I mean, I know I have the same right to access these products. But how to keep the confidence in such situations?


I was absolutely petrified going into Ulta or Sephora to get makeup at the beginning. One thing that REALLY helped my anxiety was buying online, and pickup in store. It helped because all I had to do was show my ID, and they gave me my order, and I had minimal interaction. Kinda of a side note, when I went to VS for the first time, I was so scared, and when I found the sales associate to get my order, she didn't even bat an eye at me. I was just another customer.
Follow me on my Forum Blog  Alana's Journey    
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Feminine journey started summer May 2020
GD diagnosed July 2024
Social transitioning 2024-present
Started HRT, & my womanhood 5-12-25
I love femininity ✨ 🎀 👠 💄


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ChrissyRyan

Buying cosmetics in a big grocery store's less busy cosmetics aisle or at a dollar store is less "obvious" I think than a cosmetics store.  I used to do that, and actually I still buy my LA brand lipstick at a dollar store. 

If you need guidance with cosmetics do go to a cosmetics store though.  Thy want to make sales.

Also lots of beautiful women, some with great curves, are all over the place!  Do not think you have to measure up to them.  You may wish to look like them but try to not let their looks bug you.  There will always be some people prettier, smarter, richer, etc. than you.  So what.  Try not to compare yourself to them in a way that will get you down in the dumps.

Hugs,

Chrissy
Always stay cheerful, be polite, kind, and understanding. Accepting yourself as the woman you are is very liberating.  Never underestimate the appreciation and respect of authenticity.  Help connect a person to someone that may be able to help that person.  Be brave, be strong.  A TRUE friend is a treasure.  Relationships are very important, people are important, and the sooner we all realize that the better off the world will be.  Try a little kindness.  Be generous with your time, energy, wisdom, and resources.   Inconvenience yourself to help someone.   I am a brown eyed, brown haired woman. 

Valerie.Val

Thank you everyone for your time and thoughts, I appreciate this 💜🙏🏻


Quote from: KristaFairchild on Yesterday at 06:13:12 PMInteresting and I see that point of view, but don't feel it. Maybe because I've always connected with all ages? And young people are less likely to be bigoted toward trans women? And I have no hope of liking young and pretty.

Dear Krista, it is not that I don't connect to all ages. Like you I am not, nor was I ever afraid or felt threatened by women but men. But because of that, since I am at the very start of my journey, I am well aware of my quite manly exterior. So I feel I am invading their space, making *them* uncomfortable. But as usual I am probably just overthinking. The story about the gay couple is terrible. We have our fair share of bigots here, I personally know a few dudes in town that are going to give me a very hard time, but that's a different topic...


Quote from: Charlotte Kitty on Yesterday at 05:48:24 PMI just put my shoulders up and a little smile. But relaxed at the same time. Breathe out to release. Know that you're amazing being where you are now in life and holding your own amongst the younger ones.

That sounds good, I shall try that, thx dear Charlotte!



Quote from: Northern Star Girl on Yesterday at 06:01:10 PMMy thoughts are that many cis-women and trans gals have moments and thoughts like you had mentioned.

Each of us need to be thankful with whatever we have and do what what we can to work with
the "canvas" that we have been given and work toward improving our appearance and our presentation.
 
Confidence and self-assurance are important personal attributes.  A happy attitude and a
friendly and bright smile will go a long way to assist in that effort.

Dear Danielle, thank you, this resonates very well with me!!! Indeed, so many people look or act so confident, and if you get to know them they're all full of doubts and fears. And I am very well aware that especially the young women are under a lot of pressure about what society expects from them.


Quote from: Lori Dee on Yesterday at 08:16:46 PMI just remember that I am older and wiser. Who knows, maybe they think, "I hope I look like her when I get that age!"

Dear Lori Dee, I hope I'll get there in a year or two, that would be lovely! For now, my shell is still kinda middle aged dude in girly shirts and makeup. 🙈


Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on Yesterday at 09:01:12 PMI was absolutely petrified going into Ulta or Sephora to get makeup at the beginning. One thing that REALLY helped my anxiety was buying online, and pickup in store.

Dear Alana Ashleigh, thank you. It's good to know I am not the only one experiencing this. And yah indeed online shopping helps! Still, I'm such a chicken and I need to girl-up and face my fears.


Quote from: ChrissyRyan on Yesterday at 09:26:57 PMBuying cosmetics in a big grocery store's less busy cosmetics aisle or at a dollar store is less "obvious" I think than a cosmetics store.  I used to do that, and actually I still buy my LA brand lipstick at a dollar store. 

If you need guidance with cosmetics do go to a cosmetics store though.  Thy want to make sales.

Also lots of beautiful women, some with great curves, are all over the place!  Do not think you have to measure up to them.  You may wish to look like them but try to not let their looks bug you.  There will always be some people prettier, smarter, richer, etc. than you.  So what.  Try not to compare yourself to them in a way that will get you down in the dumps.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom dear @ChrissyRyan , yea you're totally right regarding comparison. Comparison is the killer of joy. However I don't trust people who want to make sales to give me the best style guide though - I think they'll sell me all kinds of things I don't really need. 😅

Hugs to all
xoxo Val

Sephirah

Time to poke my nose in and give you a big hug, Val.

Young... none of us can do anything about, outside of inventing time travel. Pretty... is entirely relative. I am with Danielle on this. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You just have to learn how to be the beholder. No one thinks they are god's gift to the human race... and if they do, they probably aren't.

The best advice I can give to you is just... own yourself. <3 How you are matters far more than how you look.




Stottie Girl

I have not been shopping in that sort of environment to be fair (though I always make sure to walk through there in the big department stores when i can!) but there is no point in comparing yourself to young pretty CIS girls. We missed the boat on that one unfortunately. However that does not mean you have any less right to be there than any others. Mature women need cosmetics too you know!

You said WE were shoping for cosmetics, I am assuming you were out with your wife. First off, How cool is that! secondly you would not have been making the girls and women around you uncomfortable, they will be far more interested in the products they are looking at or engaged with the beauty counter girls to even notice you.

It's easy to say, I have so many hangups about public perception I feel a bit hypocritical saying it, but be your confident self, walk tall and proud. If you look confident people will not look twice. It is when you start looking anxious or shifty that you start to draw attention.
A wise man once said don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes, that way when you judge him you're a mile away and you have his shoes!

Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on - Billy Connolley

Lori Dee

Quote from: Sephirah on Today at 05:16:38 PMThe best advice I can give to you is just... own yourself. <3 How you are matters far more than how you look.

This!

Yesterday, I was at the hospital for an MRI, so no jewelry or makeup: just jeans, T-shirt, tennis shoes, and a baseball cap. The security guard at the Emergency Entrance "ma'amed" me immediately and helped me get checked in for my appointment.

In the waiting room, another patient said she liked my shirt and my whole "vibe". The shirt says: "The Power of the People is Greater than the People in Power." That's it. I was not presenting overly femme, yet my demeanor came across so that I was "read" correctly.

Just be yourself.
My Life is Based on a True Story <-- The Story of Lori
The Story of Lori, Chapter 2
Veteran U.S. Army - SSG (Staff Sergeant) - M60A3 Tank Master Gunner
2017 - GD Diagnosis / 2019- 2nd Diagnosis / 2020 - HRT / 2022 - FFS & Legal Name Change
/ 2024 - Voice Training / 2025 - Passport & IDs complete - Started Electrolysis!

HELP US HELP YOU!
Please consider becoming a Subscriber.
Donations accepted at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SusanElizabethLarson 🔗

Sephirah

90% of how people read someone has nothing to do with how they look. That's why you have experts on this sort of thing.

Just be you. Most of how people come across is all about just... how you are. Which makes sense. A pneumatic chest and waiflike waist are only going to appeal to a small group of people.

We all pick up on far more than the way someone looks. Like Lori points to... just be you. And people will get it.
  •  

Stottie Girl

Quote from: Lori Dee on Today at 05:50:45 PMThis!

Yesterday, I was at the hospital for an MRI, so no jewelry or makeup: just jeans, T-shirt, tennis shoes, and a baseball cap. The security guard at the Emergency Entrance "ma'amed" me immediately and helped me get checked in for my appointment.

In the waiting room, another patient said she liked my shirt and my whole "vibe". The shirt says: "The Power of the People is Greater than the People in Power." That's it. I was not presenting overly femme, yet my demeanor came across so that I was "read" correctly.

Just be yourself.

Ooh, I like that slogan Lori! And I'm not surprised you get gendered correctly you have always looked like a beautiful woman in every pic I've seen of you.
A wise man once said don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes, that way when you judge him you're a mile away and you have his shoes!

Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on - Billy Connolley
  •