I told another close friend tonight - WOW

[Guest Jenny_W]

Thursdays are my day to shine! I told a close friend of mine tonight about my intention to transition and who I really am. We had a brief partnership about 15 years ago and the friendship has endured ever since.

I asked her to come over to my place because I had a 'significant thing' I wanted to tell her. Gosh knows what she was thinking in the car driving over! She told me that she almost drove into a tree!

Anyway, everything went really well and I now have another person who is in the 'inner circle' of people who know everything about what is happening currently in my life. She took it very well, seeing as she only had a few hours to process it and I have had more than half my life to do the same.

It is very uplifting to be open, honest and trusting and to have that trust repayed to you. I can't do this alone and I need the support of my friends through the good and bad things to come.

Wow - I really feel that I am living life! And it's going to get even better

And now I need to sleep...

Jenny

[Guest Ney'ite]

Congratulations, Jenny - that is awesome news! And you are so very right: having people inside your "inner circle" is critical. I think it is extremely rare that anyone ever transitions totally alone . . . it is just too much of an emotional roller coaster to try and go it alone. Having those whom you feel close to and are supportive of you, through good and bad times as you mentioned, that many many times can mean the difference between a successful transition, and, well, I will dispense with mentioning the alternative.

You go, girl and keep building that ever-so-important "inner circle" of yours!

[Charlize]

Thursdays sound good. I'm glad you've got another friend who will support you. Its also a big step every time we out ourselves. Its often not easy to be honest with others. Shame and the fear i would hurt others kept me in the closet for years. Life only started to improve as i let go.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest]

Congratulation Jenny!

Keep building you inner circle one step at a time.

HUGGS,

Joann

[Guest LaciGirl]

I agree with Bette, having people that you can be totally open with are so critical in transitioning. I wouldn't know what I'd do without my little inner circle of friends & family.

Congratulations Jenny!

[Guest Jenny_W]

Thanks so much everyone - your words ring true to me. I feel so empowered by coming to know my true self and being able to share this with my closest friends. Everyone who I have told has been so positive and supportive. It's a little humbling to know I have people who are prepared to weather this storm with me.

I feel ready to make the most important changes in my life.

I am so happy!

Jenny

[Guest Addi]

Go Jenny!

It's so nice to have friends who you can be open with.

Addi

[Guest Jenny_W]

Well, it kinda backfired.

She called me today and told me that despite being all supportive last night, it has hit her today and now she is going to counselling to learn out to cope with me. Hmmm. Not the expected outcome. As I mentioned in my first post, we had a very brief relationship many, many years ago and I think maybe she had plans for our future....?

Not that I have tickets on myself! I guess I've had lots of time to get used to new things but she only had a few hours.

Anyway, it has left me feeling quite flat and has given me doubts. Not about who I am. Not about needing to transition. It's just probably the first person who has showed some negativity towards me. She said that I need to realise how my decisions can affect others around her. Wha? Do you think I'm doing this for a laugh? Do you think I want to put myself and others through the wringer for kicks?

Hmmm. I'm not sure she understands yet. Oh well, I'll give her space and see if she returns.

Jenny

[Guest LaciGirl]

...it has hit her today and now she is going to counselling to learn out to cope with me....

...She said that I need to realise how my decisions can affect others around her....

How your decisions can affect others around her??? Wow...

It sounds like you are keeping a level head about this, which is very good. Don't let other peoples negativeity get to you. Hang in there.

*hugs*

[Guest Jenny_W]

Thanks Laci

I was a bit surprised when she accused me of disrupting the balance of the universe

I am also conscious of the fact that not everyone is ok with people who look like boys wanting to become girls. She hasn't tried being me for a while - dysphoria, depression but then happiness, calmness and hopes for the future.

At least my friends who I have known for 20 years are supportive and accepting of me no matter what I look like.

Jenny

[Guest Addi]

You got the right idea. She may be okay after she gets a little more information. If not she apparently doesn't know how her choices affect others. She has a choice, you don't, being yourself isn't something you choose. You are you.

Hugs,

Addi