Hi from down under!

[Vivienne Claire]

21 hours ago, Susan R said:

Hello @Vivienne Claire, Wonderful to meet you and welcome to the forum.

 

I started medical transition a few years ago at 56, so I consider myself a late bloomer also. We share many commonalities in our journey thus far. The manifestations from suppression and denial are similar although the symptoms are a bit different. In either case, the damaging effects were devastating and debilitating in some regards to having a ‘normal’ life.

 

This was me...except it didn’t happen to me until my early 30’s. Like you, I thought I could control my little ‘problem’ with sheer willpower and a some full time accountability. Now we both know the truth. But back then, we didn’t understand the damage it would cause in our lives.  In my case, there was no time before that time where I had gone for more than 3 months of total suppression and denial. After living and burying the issues for 22 years, I was at the end of my rope. I knew I had to change something.

 

I am so glad you have established at least one family member that supports you in this life change. It would be so difficult without one. I have 3 sisters who are completely on board with my transition and it means the world to me.

 

I hope that you’ll eventually have successful outcomes with your other siblings too. It’s difficult but patience helps because sometimes it can take others a little time to adjust to the news but it helps if they can see you’re still ‘you’ at the core.

 

I’m very confident that very soon this will not be an issue for you. Your avatar image looks very nice and it’s really just a case of putting in the time and effort to learn. The importance of presenting how you want to be seen and how you feel inside is such a motivator. Who knows...you may be giving those lessons to others yourself someday!

 

It was a pleasure to read about your journey and appreciate how well written it was too. I look forward to more material from you. Thank you for sharing.

 

Warmest Regards,

Susan R?

Thank you for the kind words.  I guess we all have gne through a similar process and made the same mistakes and came to the same realisation that the problem is not being transgender and that the real problem is in trying to suppress being transgender.

 

I agree with practice is the answer to the makeup.  60 year old eye sight and hands that are not quite as steady as the used to be is an issue but not an insurmountable one.  I'm getting better with practice and am planning to go back for another lesson in a week or so.

 

I am glad you enjoyed reading about my journey.

[Vivienne Claire]

On 11/23/2020 at 8:35 PM, Jani said:

Greetings Vivienne Claire.  I'm another late bloomer who started at 61, five years ago.  Its been a wild ride at times but I am happier with my new life and I trust you will be too.  Hang in there and keep moving forward.  You'll ride out the bumpy days and be stronger.

 

Cheers, Jani

Its very reassuring to realise I am not the only late bloomer.  I  expect my ride will have many unexpected twists and turns but I find I couldn't stop know even if my life depended on it.

[Vivienne Claire]

I came out to my brother tonight.  Before I told him I was terrified.  I was actually trembling.  I told him I was scared and asked him to be patient.  Finally I blurted it out.  He was amazing! He told me i had nothing to be scared about and that he was proud of me and that he loved me.  We talked for four hours!  Two more siblings to go.  I hope my other two sisters react as well as he did.

[Charlize]

That is wonderful Vivienne.  I'm sure you feel a bit lighter.  I remember how beautiful that feeling of honesty was for me.  It was sometimes met with great positivity and at times with difficulty but i always felt better!  Hope you only find the former!

Regardless, enjoy your journey.  It is a gift we give to ourselves!

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

 

 

[KayC]

That's FANTASTiC, Vivienne!  To have the support of even one family member is a huge boost.  Hoping the remaining family are just as supportive❣️

[Vivienne Claire]

3 hours ago, KayC said:

That's FANTASTiC, Vivienne!  To have the support of even one family member is a huge boost.  Hoping the remaining family are just as supportive❣️

Me too.  I have my fingers crossed. 

[DeeDee]

On 11/24/2020 at 1:38 PM, Vivienne Claire said:

I came out to my brother tonight.  Before I told him I was terrified.  I was actually trembling.  I told him I was scared and asked him to be patient.  Finally I blurted it out.  He was amazing! He told me i had nothing to be scared about and that he was proud of me and that he loved me.  We talked for four hours!

Couldn't have asked for a better result Vivienne