It’s been awhile since I’ve contributed an article. I think part of being the Managing Editor is letting others use their voice instead of taking up space. I also see the trends of the current and more active members. After nearly three years on CDH and two on TGH, I’ve seen and read a few things that have caused me to reflect. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world and how we (as in being a crossdresser or transgender) have also needed to adapt.
The real me is that burning question I seek an answer to daily. It has never been fully answered, not even close, nor do I believe I’ll ever be satisfied with the current “answer of the moment”—it changes to fit the times. Until this past week, I hadn’t touched anything feminine (CD wise) since January 2nd. The winter is my time to let Brina shine the most, and it started out that way. I was keeping tabs on eBay and making lists of things I wanted to purchase, even planning on taking that next step and seeing a therapist—looking forward to doing so as I was certain it was time. I dreamed Brina thoughts all the time and wanted to take some small steps to make her more real than layers of makeup and imagination.
And then…she nearly disappeared within a two-day period. Off came the pretty glued-on nails, clothes, accessories, and wigs as they were downsized to fit into two suitcases and her shoes were stored in boxes under the bed. My blended drawers of male and female clothing became all male. Brina had physically stepped aside and gave the body control back to my male self. She has never left me mentally as I am equally her in my mind. For the last 7 months, I didn’t cringe when I looked in the mirror and saw the beard growing (I still kept my eyebrows neatly trimmed) or the hair on my arms, legs, and torso. I never once said that she was gone; this was different. I did purge some extras and threw out some old makeup, but I kept the core that is Brina. I just wasn’t, and I didn’t have the desire to do more than share my thoughts with her. She is a part of me, and she helps me to navigate this thing we call our life.
I have no explanation for the utter reversal of direction. It was for the best as the male me had some serious health issues during the spring and some lingering ones still. I wonder if Brina is psychic and knew they were going to happen and that it would be best for the male me to tackle them. I committed to sharing this body and life with her nearly seven years ago. To let the future unfold as it would and face the consequences—not to force them for the sake of proving something (passing in public without being recognized) or pushing for changes, when I didn’t know what the real me is supposed to be. Maybe Brina wanted to give me some personal time to reflect, to see if I wanted the pre-January path to continue or to alter its direction.
As the boxes and suitcases were packed and stored away, but never out of reach or out of mind, they were recently opened and Brina smiled a glossy pink smile—albeit surrounded by facial hair, but it was her smile in the mirror. As I slipped on a pair of her favorite heels, I could hear her inner-voice calmly reminding me that this is our life to walk together, no matter where or for how long. I’m an anxious person by nature and that makes me introverted. Brina has increased my anxieties but she has also brought an overall calming influence to me. There is always the fear of being caught and forced into life-altering changes, including the path of some form of transition—if that becomes the answer to the real me. I don’t know, yet. I have no idea. Okay; I have some idea of the real me. I know that being 100% male isn’t, not even 80% or even 70%. It starts getting fuzzier after that.
The real me? I’m kind or try to be, compassionate and empathetic—I cry easily, I’m attracted to femininity and not just gender, and I’d love to find someone to share my life with that is accepting of my uncertainties. It’s taken a long time to squash the labels and expectations of my generation and those from before to see the world as belonging to one race—the human race. There doesn’t need to be any other label, period.
Like many of us, I’m jealous of those who can or who are better adapt at becoming female or presenting as such. If women think they have body issues they should try being a six-foot, slightly overweight man who wears a size 13 woman’s shoe and dreams of being petite and pretty with access to all the wonderful shoes size 9 or smaller. We are a continuous body-shamming group, desiring to be one of the five percent, the modelesque epitome of femininity. I’m not happy with my male body, and I’m surely not happy with its female look. I will admit that I have nice legs and smaller, slender hands, but unless I hide the tummy and wear the right styles for me, I can look like a tall, pregnant chicken on a good day. I’m not even going to mention the severe farmer’s tan I’ve got going—no sundress for me anytime soon.
Back to the REAL ME. There has been an explosion recently of gender-altered photos being used as representation of what we wish to be or in some cases, being used to falsely represent who we are. I’m on Flickr, too and there are so many pictures that have been photoshopped or gender-swapped that the real person and who they could be with years of hormones and exercise are being replaced by unrealistic and artificial expectations. I get it. I want to be that adorable 30 year old minx with large breasts, a perfect body, and pouty lips. Oh…and the button nose and large oval eyes. It ain’t goin’ to happen. I’m also not saying don’t dream, but if you post fantasy, be honest about it and say so.
We tell our wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, and all other women that they are beautiful just the way they are and to quit trying to fit the 5% mode. We can all get better at doing our makeup to enhance and draw attention to the features that show well and to hide those that don’t. We can learn how to use camera angles to show us best. We can wear the type of clothing and hair styles that makes us look (in my case) like the mature and classy office manager and not a poor attempt at doing sexy for sexy sake; I’m never going to be a pinup or look good in lingerie. Trust me, the right clothes, the right presentation, and the right attitude will convey all the sexy that is needed. We need to curtail some of the negative perceptions that the world has of crossdressers. I’m not saying that we should dress our age, but instead, we should dress to what we can respectfully pull off. “Emulation is the best form of flattery.”
The real me is a mixed-up blend that isn’t going to provide me any answers soon. I can realistically dream what I might be 10 years from now and take the steps to work towards that dream, let it happen as it will, or fight it and keep pretending that I’m something that I’m not. A little fantasy is a good thing; living only in a fantasy isn’t. I’m already hiding behind my makeup and wigs, I don’t need to become an avatar that isn’t me or isn’t realistically possible. I need to push out into the real world, let Brina feel the wind in her hair (she wants a little red convertible), and find some needed answers to who is the real me and what our place in the world is going to be together.
As always, be kind, be humble, and be safe J
Wow! So much in there hit home with me. I am almost 60 and have been crossdressing since my early teens. I am in the closet and it doesn’t seem like Marlie will be coming out at all. I agree that there is too much misrepresentation online. Pictures of cis women claiming to be cder’s. I don’t want to dress my age, but I know I don’t want to look like some sexy young thing that I’m not. I am finally back on hormones after having surgery on my hip. While off them, I think Marlie was present but not… Read more »
Marlie,
Thank you for the reply. The small things are the what keeps me going. It’s funny how just wearing a bra with my forms and a pair of hoop earrings as I drink my coffee and wonder around the internet in the morning can give me lasting peace the rest of the day. The little things that I used to fight and now need. I hope you have much happiness.
Thank you Brina for reminding us of the importance in believing and being ourselves. Practicing what we preach to the gg’s in our lives. There is far more involved in self reflection than simply looking in a mirror or at a doctored selfie. I am one of Samantha’ misfits in that I rarely hide behind hair and makeup as it just doesn’t fit for my mindset, and yet I certainly still feel at least partially feminine to my core. BTW I wear sundresses and tank tops purposely so that I can avoid those dastardly farmer tan lines, thus enabling a… Read more »
I couldn’t agree more. Oh those lines are really bad this year…I’ve played so much golf that I look like a mixture of colors. It will just have to be one of those years…maybe one of new experimentation on colors (hair and wardrobe). Got to find that silver lining… Pink lip gloss is one of my go to items for connecting with those core feelings. Thanks for the insights.
Brina – so much to digest. You have encapsulated so much of what I have felt over the years. And I am so lucky that I have come out of it all knowing my direction on this journey. When I thought I was “just" a CD I was always able to tell myself that this was just a “hobby". Now that I know for me it is more it has been quite the journey. You have been through so much. At 62 I don’t have any illusions about the road ahead. Being who we “truly" are is the ultimate goal.… Read more »
Thanks, April! When you finally accept the path and stop fretting about the speed you move along it, the stress is less and you see the possibilities with hope and enjoy more of the journey…at least that’s what I’m learning more of now. It’s never too late to be what I’m going to be. As long as I keep moving it will find its own place. Yeah, how we get there…tricky, sticky, sometimes quietly and sometimes with a loud bang. I’ve seen them all and I keep moving along; stopping is no longer an option I’d choose.
Hi Brina Thank You Be careul your inner beauty is starting to show on the outside Very lovely photo Luv Stephanie
Thank you for the kind compliment, Stephanie!
Congratulations Brina on your article. I know how challenging it can be to write about yourself in such a way and this shows that you are making steps to resolve issues in your life, the as best as possible. You look lovely in your photo and should be proud of yourself and not put yourself down – because you really are beautiful and you know you are that person. The fact that others can identify with your words is excellent, as you have brought a few things into the arena for discussion. I would expect nothing less from you with… Read more »
Sophie,
Thank you for the kind words and insights…both greatly appreciated.
Hugs…
Sometimes I think it may be harder to be a crossdresser than any other type of person. Society still looks at us as weird, strange or he must be gay. And telling a SO is a whole next level of difficult. I love dressing as Carla! I find a sense of happiness and comfort that nothing else brings. When I slip on my skirt all my stress seems to slip away. I know the covid-19 has really brought out Carla and I go out in public frequently. I’m no longer married and an empty nester so it is easier to… Read more »
Between you and me…I think the point isn’t (not) wanting to tell them, but understanding that there will come a day to talk about it. As Sophie pointed out to me, I talk as a more 2-spirit person, but I only have one me on the inside. My mannerisms don’t change as much as they relax when Brina gets to shine. She smiles more readily; it’s more like my maleness is the one hiding and worried about being seen as something other than. Brina doesn’t role play when dressed, she’s just a more comfortable me.
Thanks for the comments 🙂
Brina the way you craft your words is as beautiful as the soul lying inside them. You are truly a treasure, your heartfelt sentiment moved me! The 70% – truly a challenging place to be – even if the full way forward is hard, at least one can charge ahead with their whole being.
With love,
Vanessa
Thank you, Vanessa.
Charge ahead is what I can do and will do!
Brina.
Sabrina – thank you so much for this article. It speaks to me on so many levels. Plus very well written.
Elaine (formerly known as Dayle)
Hi Sabrina, What you have said here is so on point. I am 54 years old now, dealt with a very serious health issue 2 years ago and I have been working to live my life much healthier now. My views on how I look at myself have changed, even though I have been this way as long as I can remember. It is so important to love and take care of yourself. I love the statement of having a little fantasy in your life is good, but living it may be a bit much. Thank you for taking the… Read more »
I appreciate the comments, thank you. I’m all for the fantasy part of transforming into the beautiful butterfly. Someday, I’m going to visit one of those transformation boutiques and have the works done. I’m ok on my own, never had a makeover from anyone else, but I’d love to see what someone who knows what they’re doing can do.
We all have our truths to live. Hiding behind disingenuous portrayals of ourselves isn’t the best way to learn to love and accept ourselves. It just makes it move difficult.
Thanks again!
“The unexamined life is not worth living"
–Socrates
IMO, one of the most important benefits of CDH is the way it encourages and facilitates introspection. IMO, letting momentum take one through life without thinking deeply and honestly about who one is and why one does what one does, or, as existentialist would say, without CHOOSING one’s way through life, is no life at all.
It’s only fitting that one of leaders, Brina, does it about as well as one can.
Quite an article!
Thank you for the comments! I try to do my best 🙂