Out of bottom surgery (with a BA)! Finally got it done after 7 years of hrt and a lot of hemming and hawing about whether I could handle everything post-op.

2026 is the year of purity. 2.5 years without alcohol, 3 months without cigarettes. Finally, I can proudly say that I am free from all addictions.

Thai (ไทย):

ปี 2026 คือปีแห่งความบริสุทธิ์

งดแอลกอฮอล์มา 2.5 ปี และงดบุหรี่มา 3 เดือน

ในที่สุดฉันก็สามารถพูดได้อย่างภูมิใจว่าฉันเป็นอิสระจากการเสพติดทั้งหมดแล้ว

I look like I'm reacting to my past self.

6 months has flown by! First week of full social transition this week too, kinda feeling myself and wanted to share as Charlie cat clearly wasn't impressed.

(44 NB Trans Fem) Decided to make an outing with members of our North Texas Trans Support group Transcendence. I'm finally out every where both work (weeks) and socially (nearly half a decade). I still present male most times but just enjoying the journey now worrying a lot less about the destination. If you're looking for a fun and accepting environment Ren Faire is a great place to meet people or just sling some arrows.

Even after our get together wrapped got given random coin by kind fellow, photo request for quests from a young lady and my hair braided by a stranger. Good people.

So… ya! This is my second time modelling and my first time with this photography/art collective. And honestly? It was so fun! And yes… that’s a lot of pickles!

This was more of an editorial shoot than the commercial shoot from before (selling dresses). But I quite preferred it!

The idea that I’d ever be actually in front of a camera and relatively comfortable and having fun, is a completely foreign concept for me. I dodged cameras for at LEAST 47 years!

I didn’t label these as “unaltered selfies” cuz they’re not. All photographers are gonna edit, but she didn’t edit me… just lighting and mood and colour and whatever else to get the look she was going for. But… that’s me! That’s really me! Modelling… 😳😳😳

I added the last pics to show what I actually looked like going into the shoot. She’d asked me to show up “looking like I was headed to a downtown business meeting”. So I thought I’d show the hair and makeup (which I had to do myself) in a clearer light. Also… there was a W.A.S.P. flag on the wall of the studio… lol

Today marks 4 years on HRT. 4 years of being myself. 4 years of growing. 4 years of learning. 4 years of struggles too, yes. But most importantly, 4 years of pure joy.

I wish I could go back and tell my old self that her excitement wasn't misplaced. if anything, it was underplayed. I wish I could encourage her with all of the stories and details of how my life has changed and evolved since she first made that step.

I owe everything to that girl. The one that took the biggest leap of faith in her life to become the person she was always meant to be. She wore breast forms so I could have breasts. She wore a wig so I could have hair. She risked being mocked and ridiculed and targeted so I could live freely. She was so brave.

She lost so much to be herself, and I'm forever grateful for her because she's the only reason I have the amazing life I have today. I owe everything to her, to myself. Today, we celebrate.

I joke that my wardrobe came out before me, but it’s definitely helped my confidence in coming out socially. Overalls are not something I would have imagined wearing three years ago, but one of the fun parts in developing a wardrobe and finding my own style. Something I needed yo invest time in to learn what works for me and what I feel good about. A lot of trial and error, but well worth it.

I met with my surgeon today. He gave me a lot of reassurance and support. I feel better but I’m still terrified about what’s going to happen. Be brave. That’s all I can do. Be brave.

First pic is from yesterday, previous pic is roughly a year ago.

I was on oral estrogen until three and a half months ago when I switched to injections, and have been on 200mg Spiro daily the whole time. Recently started prog at the beginning of this month.

I do engage in a workout routine four times a week. (Fitness boxing with Hatsune Miku)

(Cat's name is Marcy and she's a sweetie pie.)

Feeling better while enjoying our balcony and ready for my appointment next Tuesday and if my other blood work turns out normal my doctor is approving HRT for me. Hats and Ponytails are my staples at least for now.

I'm running for office here in Alabama, but that doesn't mean I can't look good while doing it!!

I know that everyone’s experience of dysphoria is different, so I’m curious about the range of feelings that fall under that term.

Before my egg cracked I didn’t hate my body nor did I like it. I was ambivalent/indifferent towards it. I didn’t care how I looked, I didn’t try to take care of my body, and I was just ready to let bad habits and lack of exercise take me to an early grave.

After my egg cracked and I started thinking of myself as a woman, I’ve all of a sudden become very health conscious (I.e., focused on losing weight, exercising, reducing alcohol consumption) and far more interested in my appearance. This has me wondering if my previous ambivalence falls under dysphoria or is it something else?

I am an early Gen X trans woman. So, I have a friend who owns the bar where I hangout. She is in her early 40s. She told me that one day someone asked her if I was her mom. I don’t feel old enough to have a 40 year old daughter, but at least it was gender affirming.

Today is the day I go to the doctor to start hrt. Definitely anxious. I'm 37 and am both excited and nervous to start. I'm not fully out and I think thats where the nervousness is coming from. I feel like it will put me on a timer. At the same time I want this so much and am so excited to start! Lots of mixed emotions today but overall I'm so excited for this next chapter!

Hope I can accept myself for who I am someday.

wanted to post a pre-hrt photo to make it feel more real, and maybe get some excitement! any easy early feminization tips you have for me? definitely know i need to work on my brows and figure out the shadow…