As a MTF, what aspects of womanhood have you appreciated the most and least?

[ChrissyRyan]

As a MTF, what aspects of womanhood have you appreciated the most and least?
What about being a woman you so much like and which aspects of being a woman you do not like? 

I know that your thoughts may differ a lot depending on how long or how much progress you have made towards living as a woman.   Perhaps age matters somehow, such as when you began transitioning matters, and perhaps what part of the world you live in and how well or not transgender people are accepted there.

What do you do differently now in terms of safety too?

It may be very interesting to read the various responses that we will end up posting.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

I seem to be more aware of my surroundings now.  We have to be safe.

I am unsure if this is annoying to me but it is a bit different.  It is the right thing to do.

Would I not have to do this as much if a man?  I think everyone needs to be careful.  A man may take things a bit more for granted.


Chrissy 

[Lori Dee ✅]

As a MTF, what aspects of womanhood have you appreciated the most and least?

Most: People, in general, are more respectful, kinder, and gentler in their interactions. And of course, the clothes! So comfy and so many possibilities of style and color.

Least: Maybe it is that people still have expectations of how women (or men) should look and behave.

[ChrissyRyan]

Well, for sure the clothes are nice to wear.  Sizing is a bit harder at times.  Quality levels may be going down by some manufacturers but one simply has to find the clothes you want to keep.

[ChrissyRyan]

It is nice to be with other nice women for coffee and just talking, hiking, and so on.
It is different than in a mixed or an all guy group.

[Tills]

Most: everything. Love the whole femininity and safety and acceptance among women.

Least: that when I'm out hiking I can no longer just pee up against any object. It requires a serious hidden spot

xx

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

I love just being accepted into girly chat. I know it's stereotypical in a way, but female clients and colleagues now engage me in these conversations which I really enjoy. Also just feeling more confident standing up us myself.

As for what I don't enjoy. I'm not sure there is anything. Maybe the expense of cosmetics, but that's optional for womanhood and manhood really!

Charlotte 😻

[Jillian-TG]

Love: the feeling of femininity when dressed in a beautiful outfit. Woman's clothing is just leaps and bounds better than men's clothing (which is yuck!)

Hate: I have to be a lot more conscious of my surroundings as a woman. I'm trying to assess if there a man who would take exception to me and possibly cause a problem. So it's a safety thing. I hardly ever feel exposed as a man when it comes to feeling safe. As a woman I feel more vulnerable in terms of physical safety.

[CosmicJoke]

As a MTF, what aspects of womanhood have you appreciated the most and least?
What about being a woman you so much like and which aspects of being a woman you do not like? 

I know that your thoughts may differ a lot depending on how long or how much progress you have made towards living as a woman.   Perhaps age matters somehow, such as when you began transitioning matters, and perhaps what part of the world you live in and how well or not transgender people are accepted there.

What do you do differently now in terms of safety too?

It may be very interesting to read the various responses that we will end up posting.

Chrissy

Probably what I love the most is just being comfortable in my own skin and loving who and what I see in the mirror. I never really embraced myself this much until now.

The part I don't like is occasionally being hit on by these creepy guys I don't even like. I also dislike how in some situations people treat me like a third class citizen just because they don't know any better. I would put it this way; there's nothing easy about being a woman much less a transgender woman.

[NancyDrew1930]

I was just telling someone today that I like doing all the girly things that I wasn't able to do as a guy.  Wearing pantyhose, lipstick, nail polish, scrunchies...

The one thing I'm not liking is how certain men do not respect women, especially those that are from nations where women are treated as second-class citizens, and when they come into my store looking for stuff and they ask me for an item, then don't believe me when I say that we don't have it, and will only accept that we are sold out of it when a male colleague tells them.

[Alana Ashleigh]

Being able to express myself the way I always wanted to. One of the first sessions I had with therapist she said she heard a lot of dysphoria about the way I express myself.

[Asche]

For me, it is the way that other women accept me more.  I'm included in conversations that I wouldn't have been before I transitioned.

It was particularly striking when I announced in my Unitarian congregation that I was transitioning.  Even though I didn't look any different or act any different, and everyone knew who I was and had been, the women in the congregation no longer acted in that subtle guarded way that women do with men.

I still feel sort of like an outsider, but given my life (complex PTSD), I don't think that will ever go away completely, but I feel a lot more accepted and a part of a community than I ever did with men.  I spent most of my adult life trying to figure out how to be a part of a male community, and got nowhere, with women (now) it just happens naturally.

[Lori Dee ✅]

the women in the congregation no longer acted in that subtle guarded way that women do with men.

I witnessed this sort of thing yesterday. It was quite amazing to see such a physical transformation right before my eyes.

I had stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few items. There was a horrific accident at the intersection; three vehicles were destroyed, two of which were on their side. As I went to pay for my purchases, I mentioned the accident outside to the cashier. She responded in a way like she was just reciting facts that she knew. My appearance was likely well within the "uncanny valley" as I made no effort to girly up a bit to run some short errands.

When I opened my purse to take out my wallet, she noticed a pin I have on the strap. It is a rainbow flag that I got from the VA back in ancient times, when they "Proudly served all who served". Suddenly, her demeanor changed. Her posture relaxed, and her conversation became warmer and friendlier. The conversation shifted from what happened to our hopes that everyone involved is ok. It seemed like she transformed from the cashier behind the counter to a friend that I had known for a short while.

I have noticed this before. Sometimes I wonder if the assumption is that I am gay and therefore no threat to them, or if it is acceptance as being "one of the girls". I don't mind either way. I enjoy the warmer, friendlier conversations.

[ChrissyRyan]

When it comes down to it, just being able to be me in most situations.

[Dawn Kellie]

Finding a place like SP to open up and find Kellie.  My daughters have been amazing.
The negative is i know I will suffer at work. Not corperatlyjust each person I deal with.

[Lori Dee ✅]

As a MTF, what aspects of womanhood have you appreciated the most and least?

Most:  Having my own boobs.

Least: Not having everything to go with them.

[KristaFairchild]

What a great topic and thread! In public, I am only seen as female if I wear my wig, forms, and a skirt or dress, which is rare. 

Recently, I was fully dressed as femme and really interacted its people for the first time. The women were sweet and I loved feeling like one of the girls. I was called ma'am multiple times and was thrilled. Even with those Big Three extras, conversation with other women feel more connected. 

There are physical joys, too. Perfume! Can't live without it. Dangly earrings I can feel moving. Any cute footwear because unlike most of me, I see my feet frequently. Same for pretty fingernails. 

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Most appreciated: presenting as myself

Least appreciated: lack of brests.

[Stottie Girl]

Most appreciated -  Looking in the mirror and seeing the woman I have always dreamed of becoming.

Least appreciated - Tucking, though that is fixable ultimately

[KathyLauren]

When it comes down to it, just being able to be me in most situations.

Exactly!  I like being able to be myself with no performance required.  I can wear nice clothes without having to avoid bright colours or floral patterns.  I can catch a woman's eye and exchange smiles without any ulterior motive being assumed, and I can chat easily with other women.

I had had to learn to be aware of my own safety.  When walking out to the car in a parking lot, i hold my keys between my fingers, like I have been taught.  As backup, I carry a pocket knife in my purse.