Not Coping

Yeah, it is. I hope I won't be too much for them.

Wow, 28, that's a lot. I can't wait to finish uni and buy something.

Yes, it was really good. My friendship circle will go from one to six soon. If we all get along, that is.

No, I haven't. I'll have to look into that. Does it cost a lot? I'm so broke right now.

New clothes definitely would.

How does one transition? I know you were male, so how does all the maleness go, if that makes sense? Sorry, I'm very new to all this. My whole life around family, friends, and other people has been female, male and also heterosexual. I only know one person who is gay, my friend, but that is it.

Are you back from being away as well? @RiverSeal, I'm sorry if I've said anything wrong with the above. I'm trying not to say the wrong thing.

You haven't said anything wrong @Birdofparadise8 🙂 It's so lovely you are increasing your social circle!! I remember when I was not working, and I halved my social circle from two to one because one guy was not healthy for me to hang around with. Tough time!! You are doing a great job going out and meeting people and moving into a share house. In my experience with starting to socialise, it's not always going to work out with everyone but stay the course and friendships will develop and you will start to grow socially.

The Moonlight Cinema is about the same cost as a regular cinema, and you can take your own snacks and picnic blanket. It's a lot of fun if you ever get the chance to go and lovely in the gardens at night as long as you rug up!!

Yes, the maleness is probably the most challenging but as you start living as your authentic self it just slips away. You can't change your previous life experiences that have shape you but there is a big difference in how I feel and it's just different to when I was still presenting male. I have mostly female friends, so it helps that I hang out with girls most of the time. I was never that blokey anyway and was always nonbinary even when I didn't know what that was!

I grew up in a very hetero world to and didn't have much exposure to the LGBTIQA+ community either. I'm 49 so it's taken me a long to me to feel comfortable and create the right environment for me to transition. I used to think I could never do it and I would always present male, but things changed recently, and I realise just how damaging it was for me to not transition.

I've been back in Melbourne since 30/12/2023 and I cut my trip short and came back early so I could be around my friends who support me and my transition. It was challenging with my family, and it wasn't going to be in that situation when that is not my life experience here in Melbourne.

RiverSeal

What about the Adam's apple and your voice, @RiverSeal?

Do you have to be on hormone stuff?

Did you have some time off here? The last time we spoke, you were away.

I'm alright, thank you @ArraDreaming

A new roommate has arrived. She has gone back to Geelong to get some stuff and will be coming back at some stage this afternoon.

Did you see my recipes in the food thread? I made focaccia today.

Nice one @Birdofparadise8

I did notice but I havent read yet only just picked up my phone for the day really well for long enough time to have a look at stuff
Will have a look thanks for posting

Okay all good @ArraDreaming

There are surgeries that you can have to feminise yourself, but I can't afford any of those right now and don't expect to be able to in the future. I have learned to accept that I will never pass as a cisgender female and that I will always have some male characteristics. It's become more about accepting what I have and being grateful for that and learning to live with what I don't have or can't change. It's been part of the process for me to realise that I will always be transgender and I'm ok with that now.

I have been taking hormones since 2017 and my body has transitioned but I wasn't ready to transition socially which is how you present to the world. It wasn't easy but it is much better now I can be my authentic self, wear what I have always wanted to and use my preferred name.

I was away but I just worked remotely so didn't take any time off. Luck I can do that and get a change of scenery and see family and friends without using my holidays. So happy to back in Melbourne though and it's definitely where I want to be and feel at home.

Have a good week with your new housemate and let's catch up next week and I'd love to hear more about your new adventures! You can tag me anytime @Birdofparadise8 as I work during the week too and can respond then when I have time even though I'm not working on the Forums.

Take care

RiverSeal

Ah, okay, fair enough. I'm sure you'll do what's right for you.

Melbourne is really nice. I love it here, too @RiverSeal

Okay cool. You must be on the GS.

Hey @Sunnyside226

How are you going?