Being seen by neighbors

[jkm]

It's so ironic.  For almost every house on my block, people are like hermits hiding in their house, except for all the houses immediately surrounding mine.  They are outside ALL THE TIME.

 

I like to go out dressed on weekends, and let me tell you, it's a nail biter every single time to get out and get back in without being seen.

 

Yesterday, I got out okay, but coming back home turning out not as I expected.  It was pouring rain and as a result, I was feeling confident that this would be one of those times where I would be able to slip back in without any problem.  That was not the case.  As I drove up to my place, I looked across the street and my neighbors garage door is open (it's always open) and he's standing there smoking a cigarette and looking directly at me as I pulled into my driveway.  No idea what he was thinking as he saw some blonde woman pulling my car into my garage!?

 

I know I shouldn't care what others think, but trust me, if I gave my long-winded explanation of my situation, it would make more sense.

 

Just wish I didn't have such outdoorsy neighbors.

[Jackie C.]

Great! So you've been seen. So what?

 

I was like that early on. Afraid of what the neighbors would thing. Then I realized that this is me and what they think can't change that. I'm me and me is amazing. If they don't want to get to know me because I'm transgender, well, their loss.

 

Hugs!

[Sally Stone]

For those of us not out full-time, this is a real concern.  I am quite fortunate to live in a neighborhood where my house isn't observable from any of my neighbor's houses.  Still, I am very observant when driving into or out of the neighborhood. 

 

I'm of two mindsets when I think about this.  The first is, I really don't care personally, if my neighbors discover I'm trans.  However, I know such a discovery would cause my wife some discomfort and deference to her, I do my best to remain discreet.

 

I'm not so naïve, however, to assume I'll never be discovered, which means I may have to actually come clean at some point.  Oh well, that's a bridge to be crossed later. 

[Ivy]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

I was like that early on. Afraid of what the neighbors would thing.

Yeah, me too.  I was scared to go out to my mailbox before dark LOL.

I finally got to the just F&%! it stage… but it wasn't easy.  

But I am fortunate (if you can call it that) that I only have myself to consider.

[Charlize]

Being seen by others can actually be the straw that begins the full coming out process.  That being said i have known that fear.  I'm grateful to be me now without that fear.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[DeeDee]

@jkm I cannot leave the house properly dressed unless I am hiding it under a baggy hoody or a big jacket, but at least I have told enough people that I can take a case and change somewhere decent now..  I will not miss the time spent changing hurriedly in empty laybys or public loos and relying on no one being about, though that may be my life until I can move somewhere to be me ful time.. It is the benefit and disavantage of living in a very small rural village at least I have options if I am careful. My neighbours literally already knew who I was before I moved in but I suppose we all run that gauntlet to/from the front door eventually..

[ValerieRun]

Hmmm, the thought of what neighbors might think did cross my mind over the last year but in more casual way. I have met some of them before transition and then suddenly there is this new person on the block ? I genuinely curious what they might think but going by my interactions with them since, they either accepting and don’t care or didn’t realize ?