Small Steps

[Guest rachael1]

I have been epilating my body hair for nearly two years except for my under arms which I usually just trimmed.

When I had finished epilating this afternoon a sudden urge came over me to do them as well. I hesitated at first then decided to go for it.

I don't know why but I feel like I have crossed some hidden line in my journey and couldn't stop myself smiling afterwards.

It's such a small thing and yet very significant to me.

Rachael

[Guest Donna Jean]

Baby.....EVERY step is significant, no matter how small on this journey!

Each and every small victory leads us one small/giant step further in the direction that we travel.....

Good on you, Girlfriend!

BIGG HUGG!

Donna Jean

[Guest ChloëC]

Hi Rachael,

I so totally agree with what Donna Jean wrote. The seemingly smallest of steps, when done, I often find huge, in how I respond to my desires. Being in a slightly different place then you, I look at any body hair removal as potentially significant (I'm fortunate in that as I am advancing in years, my body has been respecting some of my desires and not gone overboard in the hair department by not removing that on top and redistributing it elsewhere lower. lol)

Huggs

Chloë

[Carolyn Marie]

Rachael, that's great! Any time I hear you talking about smiling, it makes me smile too.

Just don't get carried away and start epilating your scalp, OK? Bald women can

sometimes look good (what's her name in the first Star Trek movie) but it usually

doesn't work out so hot.

So, what's the next step? I'll bet you have some ideas, don't you girl?

Carolyn Marie

[Guest rachael1]

Thanks Donna Jean and Chloë,

I was a bit amazed at how I felt during and after but in a way it was symbolic of where I am right now.

Thanks to you also Carolyn I'm glad I made you smile and as a matter of fact I do have an idea or two and will keep you posted.

BTW My hair is out of bounds, although I do think 7 of 9 pulls off the bald look very well.

Love

Rachael

[Guest Kayliegh]

Rachael –

I know how you feel – now that it’s getting cooler here in New England (and I don’t have to wear shorts anymore!), I’ve shaved almost my entire body! (I also start laser on my face on Tuesday!)

Hugs! - Kayleigh

[Guest rachael1]

Rachael –

I know how you feel – now that it’s getting cooler here in New England (and I don’t have to wear shorts anymore!), I’ve shaved almost my entire body! (I also start laser on my face on Tuesday!)

Hugs! - Kayleigh

That's really good news Kayleigh!

I have a consult for laser therapy on the 20th this month.

Please let me know how it goes?

Hugs

Rachael

[Guest Natalie92]

Congrats Rachael! I remember the first time that I trimmed my armpits (shaving / waxing / other form of hair removal will come later). I felt completely liberated. Hope you feel as good as I did then.

Hugs,

Natalie

[Guest rachael1]

Congrats Rachael! I remember the first time that I trimmed my armpits (shaving / waxing / other form of hair removal will come later). I felt completely liberated. Hope you feel as good as I did then.

Hugs,

Natalie

Thanks Natalie,

It was indeed liberating, I couldn't believe how it made me feel and I felt like I had achieved another milestone.

The journey begins with one small step, then another and another and eventually we get to where we want to go.

Hugs

Rachael

[Guest Edu]

Congratulations for taking one more step in your path. At the end, it doesn't matter whether you take tiny steps or giant leaps, what does really matter is that when you move, you move forward

The nerd within me would like to share this quote with you:

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.

(J. R. R. Tolkien; The Lord of the Rings vol. I: The Fellowship of the Ring)

Regards,

Ethain

[Guest rachael1]

Congratulations for taking one more step in your path. At the end, it doesn't matter whether you take tiny steps or giant leaps, what does really matter is that when you move, you move forward

The nerd within me would like to share this quote with you:

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."

Regards,

Ethain

Thanks Ethain I usually try to maintain my footing but sometimes I find myself just being swept away.

Hugs

Rachael

[Guest rachael1]

I woke up this morning and everything was clear to me.

It had been bugging me why I felt shaving my under arms was such a significant event.

Sure it was another step in my journey and it was very liberating and yet I have done other things along the way and none of them had elicited such a profound feeling.

My subconscious must have been working over time and in a way I was correct that it was a symbolic moment, but not as another step along my path but as a symbolic gesture of my new acceptance of Rachael. I have been fighting a losing battle against the pink fog that was slowly taking me over and had lost control of my life. Now I have embraced Rachael and the pressure has lifted, the fog is stronger than ever but now I am going along with the flow and allowing Rachael her time in the sun.

It seems to be working for me and a huge weight has now been lifted from my shoulders.

Hugs

Rachael

[Sally]

Well Rachael,

I woke up at 4:30 AM in a rather philosophical mood so when I approved your latest post here I decided to make a comment.

No matter how small and insignificant a step seems to be, there is no telling which one is 'the' one that strikes that special chord with you that says, I have arrived, I know who I am and where I must go.

For me it was something very simple, I cried watching a movie, not a really sad movie and one that I had seen before without fluids leaking from my eyes and that was the moment that I realized that I had released Sally from her chains and there was no way to deny her anymore.

That moment is different for everyone but it is a precious memory, keep it in a safe place and cherish it forever.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest rachael1]

Thanks Sally I will keep this memory in a special place.

Maybe I should have named the post- Defining moments.

BTW If I had awoken at 4.30 AM I would probably experience a special type of mood also but it wouldn't be a philosophical one.

Love

Rachael

[Guest Erin Quinn]

This entire topic has put a smile on my face before bed. Congrats on this next milestone Rachel, as has been said, no step is small. Wish you all the best as you go forward

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Every step is meaningful!! You take each step deliberately and savor the moment when you take that step It is from taking each step that makes you realize who you really are.

Great news!!

Love

Brenda

[Guest LaurenFrancesca]

Good for you, Racheal! I feel like I cheated myself out of the defining moment you had by rushing myself into shaving too much too early, looks like you're doing it Gradually, with sudden bursts of courage, the most natural way to grow, if you were to ask me. I'll get to the point where I can accept myself more, and then that arm hair will finally go with the rest of it!

[Guest rachael1]

Thanks Lauren, Brenda and Erin,

When I epilated my under arms I thought that it is only temporary and It will always grow back and yet it was a defining moment.

I am still epilating and have no intention of growing the hair back.

This might be an issue soon as we are approaching summer over here and people will be bound to notice. I can get away with no body hair and it doesn't arouse undue interest but the under arms is another thing altogether.

I will adopt a wait and see approach and deal with it later.

I also have a laser treatment consult in a few days for my facial hair which will be another mile stone for me.

Rachael

[Guest ChloëC]

Hi Rachael,

They're small steps but each one is important in itself. And it's great to hear that you are understanding yourself and understanding what you want to do to live as who you are. And good for you!

I have this recurring thought of the character Melinda Dillon played in Close Encounters (she was the mother of the young boy that had been abducted), and here she faced all the trials and hardships that the Richard Dreyfuss character faced as they evaded the military and they finally get to within about 50 feet of the preparations for the actual encounter and he says he is going down to where everyone is and she says, after all she has been through, no, she'll wait there. I wonder sometimes as I see others continue on, if I'm still in the rocks.

I think the next six months will possibly give an answer to what I decide to do. And some of the clues are being provided by all the different responses given by the myriad of cross-dressers here, which I'm thankful to be able to read.

Hugs

Chloë

[Guest rachael1]

Thanks Chloë,

Sometimes we travel down a certain path and than lack the courage to finish it for whatever reasons.

I hope you find your own answers soon.

Rachael