23 years old and trying to find myself

Welcome to CDH , like you I am knew to this site but have been a crossdresser for over 40 years , I too had the feelings you describe but there is far worse things in life you could be doing , so let go of the shame and guilt and enjoy .And as you meet other friends on here you will realise that you are not alone. Like the name you have chosen .

Welcome to CDH Olivia!  I think you'll find us to be a welcoming bunch.  Ready to lend a shoulder to lean on should you need it.

As you're discovering, crossdressing is a need for many of us.  Being home alone for a week is a good opportunity to explore your feminine side.  You may learn a thing or two about yourself.

I'd also suggest you get into gender therapy if you aren't already.  This will help you overcome guilt and shame, and make it easier to face your parents.

Best of luck. Hugs, Emily

HI - Im considerably older and appreciate your dilemma re family - but despite several purges , all of which I in retrospect regret - cos Id some lovely things Im now feeling that I wish Id been more confident and braver in my younger days and enjoyed the fem side of my personality
I moved towns to get away from family and to be in a situation where I could dress - abet still fairly secretly -and now that Im almost ancient compared to you I see many younger people being able to dress as they choice - ok not always without issue cos there remains many ignorant folk about but difference is embraced more positively and there are far more support opportunities - venues etc than Id ever been aware of as a young CD
Life can be a balance / compromise but its your life - do what you feel is best for you and be confident in your self- you deserve it
what clothes you choose to wear and what your sexual preference is or isn't is your business
hugs and keep your passions and the fact that we can't choose our families but we don't need to be determined and constrained by their values ours are different -

hugs and I hope you find this group supportive and empowering

I have been full time girl 👧 since I was 9 till now. It’s something that doesn’t go away it is easier if you accept it. I am lucky my parents accepted it. Dealing with parents is a lot of the issues if you can get past that the rest is easy. You can get with the other girls 👧 and see what they say. Welcome to the site

and Im in Scotland - so happy if you like to be friends

Thank you Jackie that would be very nice! I'm in the north east of England so not too far from Scotland.

Thank you! I just know my parents would not accept it, especially my dad as he is very old fashioned and not LGBT friendly at all. It just feels impossible to let this side of me out.

Hello Olivia
After you have seen a lot of introductions here you will feel more and more that you are not crazy a little different maybe but certainly not alone.
Enjoy your week alone.

You have come to the right place for support and help with your issues.

A lot of us are older but have gone through that stage at your age when things weren't as open as now. There are common threads though in that you are finding yourself and that urge does not go away so is an indication of how you are seeing your future. What I can offer is  that be patient as telling parents is not an option for you at the moment but you could have some good friends or extended family who you know well and may consider telling and see where it goes. There are also many groups now that you can find online that offer help and support which you could reach out to.

What I found is that establishing this urge would not go away I then sorted out how I would deal with it and over a period of time I started the process of coming out. It is never easy but the other key thing is to keep focus on important things in life such as your career and commitments.

Thanks Emily that's really helpful advice. I feel like gender therapy isn't a option for me at the moment.

Thanks Sarah for the very warm welcome!

Hi Olivia,

Welcome to CDH.

Alice

Hi Olivia.Welcome to CDH.You have come to the right place.We are a friendly and welcoming bunch of ladies on here.We are all here for you for support and advice.

Hi Olivia welcome to CDH it's nice to meet you we are like one big happy family on here so don't be shy come on in and join the family, I'm a mature crossdresser I've been dressing most of my life since i was about 8 or 9 years old when i tried my older sister's lingerie on, I'm a UK girl too I'm down in Shropshire, if it's help and advice you need you have come to the right place we don't judge anyone on here it's a safe place for everyone, I'm sure there are lots of girls near to where you live who will be happy to meet up with you for a coffee and a chat I'm sure you will find lots of friends on here X 🎀

Hugs Rozalyn X 💋