SelfPartnered by Lori Peace

It’s a meme started by Emma Watson of Hermione fame. She said that as she approaches her 30th birthday, she decided to trade in the moniker “single” and exchange it with a new title: “selfpartnered.” Check it out on Twitter #selfpartnered.

She mentions that she is incredibly happy even though she is without a romantic partner at this time and does not feel incomplete or lacking. She doesn’t want the stigma of “single” following her around like a curse. She feels that she is marvelous company for herself.

I like this attitude, though it’s a shame we can’t just change the stigma of the word single so that it is free of negative connotations. I’ve been single for all but 5 years of my life, and I frequently find myself “between relationships.” See? Even using that term elevates the concept of partnered relationships to the inevitable goal, lol.

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That being said, the term selfpartnered might take on a different connotation for myself as a person on the transgender spectrum, and perhaps many of you. At the age of 60 I began my exploration and Questioning (one of the “Q’s” in LGBTQIA) of my gender identity. I’ve experienced the feminine little girl only fleetingly on a nearly daily basis for the past few decades without embracing or exploring it fully.

I’m getting much more comfortable with expressing my feminine to the point that it is beginning to feel natural and normal. I enjoy looking in the mirror at the girl that I am, while acknowledging the boy that got me here. I look around me at CDH and other sources to see mentors for completely owning my natural gender, whatever it might be at a particular moment; masculine, feminine, androgynous. There is a giddy feeling that comes from this expression that fills me with a sense of wholeness that I hadn’t known.

I feel like this transformation (though I don’t have an intention to transition at this time) is preparing me even more to find a harmonious and supportive relationship. I am affirming my genders and realizing that they will be embraced by my future partner in all its glory.

In the meantime, I am experiencing selfpartnering. I am accepting all aspects of my gender and embracing them as fully as I expect a relationship partner to embrace them. I have the ring to prove it.

When I divorced from my last (and first) wife (not because of CD), I took off my wedding ring on the way out the front door and slipped it unceremoniously on the hook on the wall where I hang my keys. It’s remained there since. For 16 years.

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This ring was a very special ring that I had designed myself and commissioned a sculptor acquaintance to execute it, and a jeweler to cast it in solid gold. It was not a simple men’s wedding band. It was thinner at the base and fuller at the top where there were ivy vines swirling and curling up the side and top. Two larger ivy leaves were at the end of the vines in the middle of the signet to symbolize my wife and I, and two smaller leaves on the sides to symbolize her two sons, 4 and 6 years of age.

Last year I was on the way out the door en femme, and I had an urge for some bling. This was early in my dressing days, learning to go out in public with my support group for dinner. My eyes fell on the ring as I grabbed my keys, and I decided it was time. It was time to reclaim my heart. It was time to reclaim my power from the ashes of victimhood. As soon as I slipped the gold ring on my right ring finger (not my left) I recognized that I was claiming my wholeness with the multi-genders that I contain. I was finally accepting and embracing BOTH/ALL of them so that they can integrate and transmute into whatever is my joyful expression of the divine. I became selfpartnered.

Since then, I’ve worn this ring constantly, and have gotten lots of compliments on it. I wonder if there is more than the beauty of gold and light that catches their eye. Maybe it’s the joy that I feel that draws their attention. Maybe they are dazzled by my selfpartnered radiance.

It could happen.

 

Do you feel like there are parts of you that don’t mesh yet?

What kept/keeps you from integrating all parts of you?

If you feel that you’ve brought all parts together into one glorious expression, how does that feel?

Is there a point in your life when you became whole?

Do you have any advice to someone who is feeling fractured in their person or intention?

Thank you so much for reading my article and I look so forward to hearing your replies and/or responses to the article of my questions posed to you at the end of this article!

Sincerely, Lorie Peace

EnFemme

 

 

 

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LaWren Peace

Since I was 8 I've found myself occasionally dressing in girls clothes and loving it. Then I would feel ashamed, tho I rarely purged. About five years ago I decided to embrace it fully, at least in private. Started buying clothes at thrift stores, retail stores, shoes, wig, makeup. I've found that I enjoy different points along the spectrum male female, and just seeing what feels right at different times. I've transitioned socially, tho only on HRT physically. I find it fascinating to watch myself through this journey because I've been a life coach for 12 years and I see some of the possibilities for healing as a coach, yet I am dealing with the insecurities and uncertainties and shame that anyone else here might deal with. I'm also grateful that I have this experience to draw on when working with my clients, whatever their gender might be. I honor both and all my genders, but I feel that I lean feminine and would like to bring my body in alignment with this spectrum of experiences, tho I'm not convinced I should do any invasive surgery. I started in 2020, and I'm excited. The results are minor but affirming. In the 2021, I had a full "gender reveal party." I told most people, at least the ones I'm closest to, and I've publicized it on FB. At my age, who gives a hoot? Well, truth be told, I do, but I have learned to accept the fear and the euphoria. I went to a TEDx event in a gorgeous dress, and chatted with over a dozen of my friends (almost all women or gay men). I went to the women's rest room and stood in line with a dozen girls. I have no idea if everyone accepted me, but I wasn't kicked out, lol!

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Olivia Livin
Lady
Trusted Member
4 years ago

Thank you Lorie, a lovely article
While I always seemed ‘alright’ with my direction in life, there was little time or positive thought put into the ME of it all. It was during the time of self partnership after my marriage, which I became quite comfortable with, that I discovered this beautiful inner voice. By accepting and exploring it, I became a stronger(yet gentler) person, more self content, and able to share all of it better as a partner in this wonderful new relationship that I actually wasn’t even looking for.

skippy1965 Cynthia
Ambassador
Trusted Member
4 years ago

Lorie,great article. I agree that there should be no stigma attached to being single or self partnered. That being said, I do long for someone to go through life with who accepts me for all of who I am. Is that due to societal expectation? Or is it something inherent in the human soul? I don’t know if anyone can truly know that answer. Thank you for a thought provoking article.
Cyn

skippy1965 Cynthia
Ambassador
Trusted Member
4 years ago
Reply to  Lorie Peace

Totally agree. when I got married I thought the need would go away and when it didn’t I still tried to ignore it. 15 years after the divorce now, I know this is who I am and I will never enter into a relationship without being open and honest about myself and I will never again lock Cyn away.
Cyn

April (Pacific Princess)
Ambassador
Active Member

Lorie – great article! I have been married for 38 years now but I have only, in the past 4 years, really begun again (long story) to explore my feminine side. It is funny. I am actually most at peace when I am by myself these days, but prior commitments and family make being April more than occasionally, a difficult thing. I am still wrestling with things, but I hope I can live my authentic life one day. Thank you again for your article.

Hugs,
April

Elaine Hamilton
Lady
Member
4 years ago

What a stunning article …congratulations …yay. I am your age and continue to struggle with my gender identity ….it is a struggle but I have found ways to bring my male self into my female persona but I have a long way to go ……

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