Sharing My Progress

[Guest Chiv]

I was not sure where to post this so I leave it to the moderators to decide. Been meaning to share a few things. February marks my 5th month on T. I listened to Becky and took some new pics today. A month ago I was experiencing the worst dysphoria I have felt so far and dealing with other non-transition related challenges of surviving day to day that many of us have gone through. Throughout all of this, it was hard to focus on the many positives in my life regarding transition and just be grateful.

When I looked at the photos today, I saw the changes in my face that others have mentioned; my voice is changing and people cannot identify me on the phone that have known me for years; the facial hair and me shaving is noticeable to others ; I have gained weight but also muscle and my body is changing; and the dysphoria is there but I focus on it less. I am more confident (again) around women and it has had positive results

More people call me John on their own; they correct themselves on the pronouns.

All of this happened in a week where the light regarding the survival issues is only hope and perserverance and in a week where people stood up for me publicly and this is from communities we don't expect.

I write this for anyone reading this so that when you feel alone and isolated, don't give up, come here to Laura's where you are safe and know that when we are true to ourselves and have pride, unexpected miracles happen.

[Sally]

I am glad that things have turned around for you.

I am very happy that you are seeing yourself now - it is one of the greatest things that can happen to you.

Love ya,

Sally

[JJ]

Hi John

Always glad to see you post but especially enjoyed hearing that things are going better. And heartened to hear about the changes the T has made. I really needed that tonight. It's one of those times that my mind is trying to tell me this just won't ever work. I know it will but it is so good to hear someone relate how things are changing for them

Thanks!

John too

[Guest Cowboy]

Glad things are turning around for you, man.

I agree with Sally, seeing yourself is always an uplifting experience. When I got my 1st masculine haircut last summer, it was like I was looking at a totally new person.

And hey, there's only more times like that expected to come.

~Andrew (not another John lmao)

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Hey, I'm sincerely very happy for you, man. There's an old saying that goes, "If you can believe it, you can achieve it." How true that actually is. Anything you decide you actually WANT to do, you can! Like the Nike commercial says, "Just do it!"

Good luck, bro!

Lacey

[Guest Chiv]

Thanks Sally, it is a great feeling. JJ, looking forward to hearing you post on your changes. The haircut and the glasses look great on you man. I also let my hair grow longer on top and got a more masculine haircut today (than just shaving my head)because of how I am feeling. Andrew, you already are a stud and the ladies already love ya. Lord help us all when you change more!

Sis, many thanks. Have been writing again and getting published because that is my passion. Will write more about that when I can so watch your mailbox. Now if I could only make money! Any money!

All of you.

[Guest BeckyTG]

Hey John,

I am so proud of you. Hopefully, you are learning the valuable life lesson to first look for what you have accomplished, rather that focusing on that which you have not. As we see each small, little victory pile up, we gain confidence and momentum to propel us forward on our objective.

Our physical changes are so slight that they become too easy to overlook on a daily basis. Photographs can tell a great story that we don't see and so can clothes. I have several pairs of women's jeans I bought a year ago. The waist fit, but they hung loose off of me and looked silly when compared to other women. Well, not anymore they don't. They are stretched tight and really show off my new figure.

Keep sharing with us, we all need to see how others are winning this battle.

Hugs,

Becky

[Guest Chiv]

Thanks Becky. I am still working on that patience goal. That update won't be anytime soon :-)

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

John.......

Your changes have obviously helped your attitude, too...

I like seeing what's going on with you....

And, patience comes in time....have patience.....uh...well, you get it, right?

LOVE & HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest Chiv]

Patience, what's that? I want it all now

[JJ]

Yeah-I wanted it yesterday too.

Why does everything in this life seem to demand patience when I was born with so little?

John lets form an Anti-Patience League. I bet we could go global in a heartbeat.

Johnny

[Guest Chiv]

LOL Johnny,let's do that. Can we combine it with the "I don't have to be the typical man" League? We could alternate meetings and that might help distract us a bit from those impatient moments.

John

[Guest Cowboy]

Andrew, you already are a stud and the ladies already love ya. Lord help us all when you change more!

John lets form an Anti-Patience League. I bet we could go global in a heartbeat.

Can we combine it with the "I don't have to be the typical man" League?

Well while we are forming leagues, when is the draft? If you guys don't mind, I'd like to have a 1st round pick (gotta win some championships you know)

oh.... oh wait.... wrong kind of league.....

well in that case... got any room in these leagues for a cowboy like myself? I'm not patient. And I sure as heck ain't typical! lol

[Guest Chiv]

Cowboys, especially you, are always welcome. I was waiting for JJ to approve the final league before sending invites. And we need some ladies too. I like you guys, but they are prettier, and they smell better and they bring us snacks!

[JJ]

Hi John & Andrew & all

Andrew we couldn't do any better than having you in our league. Glad to have you aboard

And John combining those leagues sound great to me. I kept getting sidetracked every time I meant to get back to you. Got any suggestions for rules or maybe a no rules rule?

I'm also down for pretty ladies bearing snacks any time.

[Guest Chiv]

JJ we could brainstorm and work slowly on league requirements and be patient To start, I say the two requirements should be: I want everything NOW and "not the typical man or woman" (whichever applies). Can we recruit Sally, Donna Jean, Lizzy and Carolyn Marie already because someone has to keep us men in line when all that T starts flying.

[Guest Cowboy]

I vote for ladies -- I like the ladies.

Just whatever we do, we need to enforce a "Don't make Dee Jay mad" rule. ... I sure as heck don't want to find scorpions in my boots lol.

[Sally]

Dee Jay might put scorpions in your boots but I hit harder - I withhold the cookies!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Chiv]

Andrew, the "Don't make Dee Jay mad" rule might have to be an individual rule for you LOL. Helping myself to a cookie while they are still here. Thanks, Sally.