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"I'm never going to do it again." You know the old saying, "If I had a nickel for every time I said that." I've come to a point in my 56th year where I've accepted what I'm becoming, and yet…I still have doubts (both ways) and moments where I desperately want to be the false male imagine of myself that I've lived most of my life. The only difference today is when I feel that way the guilt that follows is for the panic I feel at almost purging everything that makes me, me and not for wanting to be more feminine.
If only I were 12 again with understanding parents and oodles of money, I'd take the hormone blockers and live my life more in tune with how I feel inside—female. But that's 56 year old me daydreaming of what might have been. My wish today would be to move to a new city, find an employer who wouldn't mind how I came dressed to work, and live in peace at being me. I can't, not yet, and maybe never. So now what?
I spend hours researching, dreaming, and shaping this life to be as full as it can. I still sneak around in shadows and fear being caught. Only now, I'm willing to deal with the aftermath, even welcome it should it happen. There are little signs all around me that inquisitive investigators might see and inquire about. I have face cream to use each day after shaving, fruity scented shampoo and body lotion on the shelf, not to mention all the items hidden in my drawers amongst my male clothes and the two large suitcases that should be empty, but are not.
What stops me is the relationship I have with my children, my parents, and the responsibilities I take seriously in the volunteer work I do. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up one, two, or all of them, even if it means future happiness and new opportunities and friends. Money is an issue too—when isn't it. Buying items necessary to calm my inner anxieties isn't cheap, and I have a fixation on wigs and high heels. It's fair to say that Brina spends all of our money on looking good or at least trying to.
Trying to be all male is never going to happen again. I gave it the old college try, been married and divorced, spent two years giving Brina a shot, purged it all and dove into another relationship, only to become single once more and finally accepting that I'm a mixed bag of ever-changing emotions and trepidations. I think those relationships didn't work out because of it and because of my lack of personal happiness. If I could meet a woman at a crossdressing convention who found me worthy--that would be sweet. I'm still not sure where I am on the spectrum of sexuality and gender. The biggest obstacle to my psyche was the feeling of not being a good person. The need to hide my heels from my spouse and to wear her clothes caused me to doubt the good I could be. It's sad, but society still looks at us negatively. Raise your hand and proclaim yourself transgendered and there is slightly more sympathy. I'm stuck in the middle somewhere.
This journey is mine alone. I have to make the decisions that I can live with—or live without. The best I can do is to be me. And that means all of what I am whether dressed in jeans and drinking a beer with the boys at the bowling alley or strutting around home in my 5 inch heels and fully ready for a night on the town as Brina (even though she doesn't go out she still dresses for the opportunity). Inside, I'm the compilation of each. I don't separate them the way I used to, which also reflects the little physical changes in my appearance; the neater eyebrows, the way I walk, the mannerisms I display (crossing my legs using my hands more when speaking), the colors and types of clothes I wear, and the conversations I'm willing to engage in. I've become less judgmental on myself and especially on others. I still have my bad days, but I'm learning to like me more every day and to worry less about what might happen as I try to move towards what I want to happen.
May your journey bring you peace, may your life be filled with promise, and may your hopes always outweigh your doubts.
Brina
It can be hard to be honest with ourselves, but once we do life goes a lot smoother.
Wow, Brina are you living in my head? the difference between us is that I have managed to stay married, more happily than not . You certainly have channeled my feelings and my journey so far.
I, too, have decided recently to let the Jillian in me out more. She is more than just a pile of clothes in the back of a closet. She affects all of my life not just the hidden moments.
Best wishes on your continued journey, may we both find a way to be complete and happy
Jillian
Dear Brina,
Ditto your yearning to be free to be. I shall be 65 soon, and am much the same. I work and live mostly in male mode, and lack the means to transition, and spend too much time dressed en femme home alone. But today I drummed up the courage and presented @ a new therapist appt as female. I was not particularly impressed with him, or his manner. He did find a 'local' transgender support group for me I was unaware of. I've not ventured out dressed much and may have acquired some confidence to do so. Best wishes
Oh Brina!!!
I want to give you big hug!! You have summed up my thoughts completely. You are not alone and please message me if you want to offload anything. I and everyone on here will support you. You are a wonderful person so don't give up trying to be the woman inside you.
Love Emily xxxxx
Thanks Brina. I loved your essay. xxxoooo
Thank you Brina...
OMG, you could be describing me. I think you are farther along in accepting and living yourself, but the other details are me. Just yesterday I was researching companies that are supportive of transgenders. Thoughts and prayers are with you on your journey. Thank you for writing the article. It helps to hear that there are others with the same thoughts and struggles.
great article Brina , i see alot of similarities in my own journey. keep up the good work.i'll root for you
Dearest Brina,
Your story moved me. Finding CDH and all the wonderful people here has been a life saver for me. Strength in numbers. Wright? All of us here are on our own unique journey. Feeling alone and separated from everyone around us for the most part. Then you come here and read one article, and suddenly you're not so alone. Thank you Brina, for being YOU!!!
MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT!!!!
Brina,
This essay cuts very close to my own personal journey and I'm so grateful you took the time to share your story with all of us. It's very inspiring to know that we're not alone as many of the issues we face - are so similar and alike. But we have each other to lean on when those times get tough and I'm ever so grateful for girls like you and others on here are CDH which help me be a better me.
*hugs!*
Belle
Wow! You sound so much like me!
I was recently watching a documentary film about a British couple with a 5 yr old son who wants to be a girl. Same age as I was, 62 yrs ago. And what a difference he past 62 years have made. I know my mother knew all about me. But nothing was said and nothing was done. I will nevertheless know if she confided in my father. I have to believe that she shared this with other female members of my family, because many were very supportive of my being a girl. And yet, here I am 62 yrs later still a woman in a man's body(sort of).
Brina,
Your words encapsulate the way that many of us feel. I too am contemplating my future path whether that be moving forward and transitioning or staying where I am on the spectrum ow (getting out as Cyn more but maintaining the male part of my life as well). The balance(or to be scientific the scales) could still tip either way but whichever way it goes, I plan to continue moving toward fully accepting myself as the entirety of my person.
Thanks again for a great article!
Cyn
Well said. It encapsulates my feelings perfectly. I fought the inner me for years and now Im at peace with the balance I have found.
I liked the term "gender fluid" the first time I heard it. I've been concentrating on mentally transitioning. I also know how difficult it is to express yourself as a women with family and the rest of the people who know you. If we have fluidity, perhaps we don't have to beat ourselves as to being one or the other and how we present in various situations.
