New to the forums

[Audrey]

Hi everyone,

I just joined Transgender Pulse a bit ago.

About me - I'm Audrey, I'm 41, MTF, and early in transition. I have known that I'm transgender since I was a teenager, but I kept it inside and hidden at great personal emotional cost. Being home during COVID-19 has given me the opportunity for self-reflection and helped me understand that now is the time to come out, transition, and live more authentically. I wonder if this has been true for others here too.

Looking forward to joining a welcoming and supportive community as part of my journey.

Love,

~Audrey.

[Jackie C.]

Salutations @Audrey! Welcome to Transpulse! It's lovely to meet you.

 

Congratulations on coming out! It's a girl! ? May the experience be everything you're hoping for and more besides.

 

Please feel free to jump in and ask questions as the mood strikes you. We're pretty good at being supportive.

 

Hugs!

[Audrey]

Thank you for your warm welcome, @Jackie C. !

I must confess that I have many worries, but also at least as many hopes. One of the most joyful parts of my experience so far as been how supportive and understanding the two friends I've come out to have been. I must have talked myself into and out of confiding in them a hundred times out of fear of how they might react, or whether I would regret saying anything to them. The opposite turned out to be true, and now I actually feel much closer to them than I did before!

I look forward to exploring the other threads, connecting with other members, getting support during my own transition, and doing my part to extend support as well.

~Audrey.

[Susan R]

4 hours ago, Audrey said:

I have known that I'm transgender since I was a teenager, but I kept it inside and hidden at great personal emotional cost. Being home during COVID-19 has given me the opportunity for self-reflection and helped me understand that now is the time to come out, transition, and live more authentically. I wonder if this has been true for others here too.

Hello Audrey, I absolutely love your name btw. Welcome to our second home! No need to wonder any longer if this has been true to others too. Many of us waited until it was hardly a choice...for some of us it was more a case of life or death. I know that I came to a crossroads in my life and could no longer deny who I was. Some can hang on to our faux persona longer than others but doing so has major blowback in some way or another. I was becoming more and more depressed and it wasn’t fun for my wife to deal with this. Thinking I would never be able to reach out to her also had it’s own set of problems for me. It seemed for me that once I started seeing and accepting my true self, it became overwhelming to keep that from my wife and I eventually had to tell her everything...and I mean everything. What a weight off me that was....my God, I felt like a different person almost immediately.

 

1 hour ago, Audrey said:

I must have talked myself into and out of confiding in them a hundred times out of fear of how they might react, or whether I would regret saying anything to them. The opposite turned out to be true, and now I actually feel much closer to them than I did before!

Yep, This is exactly what happened to many (not all) of my relationships. Once they see that you are more genuine and open, they seem to let their guard down too and it changes a lot within each relationship. It so good that you are at that point. It’s a scary but exciting time. I wish you the best on your next steps. It will get easier as you see that your life is yours now. Enjoy these moments...they pass so quickly.

 

Warmest Regards,

Susan R?

[Ivy]

Hi Audrey, Welcome

[Jani]

Greetings Audrey.  My friends have said it all so I won't repeat.  Please join in.  We're always ready for active members.

 

Cheers, Jani

[Audrey]

3 hours ago, Susan R said:

Hello Audrey, I absolutely love your name btw.

Thank you Susan! I've been fascinated by the name for years - and now it's my own! I just love the way it sounds, what it means ("noble strength"), and above all how wonderful I feel when someone calls me by that name. Not to mention, the lovely Audrey Hepburn herself! 

 

I'm really touched by the kind welcome from all of you! Truly, I feel blessed.

 

~Audrey.

[KayC]

Hi Audrey!  Nice to meet you, and Welcome! 

16 hours ago, Audrey said:

Being home during COVID-19 has given me the opportunity for self-reflection and helped me understand that now is the time to come out, transition, and live more authentically.

YES!  me too!  I had been crossdressing (at home) and Questioning for several years, and the only good thing to come out of Covid for me was the down time to finally explore my feelings ...
Fortunately (after many Google attempts) I found this wonderful Forum which jump-started my journey, got me to seek and start gender therapy ... and allowed me the confidence to accept myself as I truly am.

I have other obstacles (work, relationship) that will limit how fast I can go, but the goal is clear now.  Hope to hear more from you and I hope you have the same experience here on the Forum I have had with all these wonderful human beings❣️

Deep breaths ... one step at a time

[Charlize]

Welcome Audrey.  Glad you've found us.  Funny how somehow Covid has had some positive results while also being so horrible.  It was during an unusual period of isolation that i first left the closet.  Those steps helped me find peace with myself.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Timber Wolf]

Hi Audrey,

Welcome to Transpulse. I'm glad you're here!

 

Lots of love and a big welcome hug,

Timber Wolf?