Hello...:)

[Laurel D]

Not great with my words. But my name is Laurel. I am very young in terms of my transition. ( It only started last August.) But I'm getting up there in age. ( I just turned 36 years old.)

I don't have many interests. Mainly video games ( Pokemon, anything Mario., No FPS.) Cooking shows, some politics ( but at times I have my limits. ) And hanging out with my partner.

Up untill very recently, I would describe my personality as a blank slate most of the time, with a side of depression. I didn't really want people to know who I was. So I stuck to superficial friendships.  Very few people knew much about me, which is why they were so shocked when I came out.

I am more than aware, that I look and sound very masculine. There's not a ton I can do about that, that's  cards I was dealt.  Sometimes it's an uncomfortable situation to be in, because I get lots of stares, and laughs.  But I deal with that, because I am happy with me, and I no longer have to pretend to be macho. ( Believe me I'm not.)

I'm here to ask questions, that I can't ask most people because they don't understand. ( Gender dysphoria sounds like a bizarre thing to people who haven't gone through it.)

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.   And I am glad to be here....

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[Jessica]

Hi Laurel 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm Jessica a transgender woman.  I'm so glad your here.
So much can be learned from Susan's.  Find a topic that interests you and share your opinion if you like, or learn from someone's experience.  Friendships easily blossom here!
I see your new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Kendra]

Hello Laurel, welcome to Susan's! 

I am so glad you decided to join and post - and I'll say right off you are an absolutely beautiful woman as you are discovering things that matter in life.  Not just the superficial stuff we are sometimes expected to follow, but things that are more challenging to obtain and very rewarding, like truly understanding yourself and having a set of awesome goals for the future.  It takes strength to ignore irrelevant remarks or stares from people who do not matter and don't deserve the time... I also struggled with this, and found when I started ignoring those people the problems diminished.  Your time is valuable - best to focus on true friends and happiness.

Please do not beat yourself up if you don't fit some arbitrary definition of gender presentation.  You spent decades developing certain characteristics, and if you desire to change that you might be amazed what is possible.  It really is up to your goals - perfectly fine to aim somewhere along the gender spectrum instead of either extreme, or refine the details of your goals over time.

Laurel, I am really glad to see you here!  Take care,

Kendra

[Laurel D]

Hello Laurel, welcome to Susan's! 

I am so glad you decided to join and post - and I'll say right off you are an absolutely beautiful woman as you are discovering things that matter in life.  Not just the superficial stuff we are sometimes expected to follow, but things that are more challenging to obtain and very rewarding, like truly understanding yourself and having a set of awesome goals for the future.  It takes strength to ignore irrelevant remarks or stares from people who do not matter and don't deserve the time... I also struggled with this, and found when I started ignoring those people the problems diminished.  Your time is valuable - best to focus on true friends and happiness.

Please do not beat yourself up if you don't fit some arbitrary definition of gender presentation.  You spent decades developing certain characteristics, and if you desire to change that you might be amazed what is possible.  It really is up to your goals - perfectly fine to aim somewhere along the gender spectrum instead of either extreme, or refine the details of your goals over time.

Laurel, I am really glad to see you here!  Take care,

Kendra

Thank you

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[JulieAllana]

Welcome Laurel,
     I am somewhat new here myself and have found everyone to be warm and welcoming.  Ask just about anything and people will line up to answer your questions.  As a side note, I think you are beautiful. 

        Hugs,
              Julie

[Janes Groove]

Welcome to the site lds98498.  It's good to have you here.

[V M]

Hi Laurel 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M