I can’t believe it’s been an entire month since I apologized for not being able to post after losing power for those few days weeks ago…
To say the least, that was the beginning of me entering one of my lovely “bad things tend to happen in threes” scenarios.
I find this quite funny considering one of the posts I had been working on at this time was on karma and how relevant it tends to be to my life in this respect. I will most likely edit said topic shortly after this and post it soon. Even though it seems odd to work on something I wrote over a month ago so we’ll see how that goes. It may not reflect my current feelings and circumstances which just wouldn’t feel right…
I sadly currently find myself in a very low place which occurs more often than I’d like in the course of my life. I found that when I first began to blog that it was very useful in helping me in this respect. Not only in organizing my own thoughts but also to help give me a task that I enjoyed doing. It doesn’t even necessarily feel right to post in a state of mind when I am not all that positive since this is what I always hope to inspire and convey. I am all about being real as well though which I guess is bound to coincide with this at times. I’m struggling very much right now to find anything that can hold my attention or give me even a moment of relief.
Gotta love depression!
It actually feels wrong to call this depression since actual clinical depression is typically brought on by nothing at all (which I’m no stranger to as well!) and this time I certainly have circumstances that have triggered my current feelings. (Or lack there of I should say…it’s sad how I still tend to revert to my “pre-transition” defense mechanism at times.)
I’m truly trying my best to not let my anxiety consume me as it has so many times before in the past.
To make a long story short, once my power was finally restored I came back to find my internet had been shut off which left me unable to post and I was only able to afford to restore it a few days ago. I live all by myself and just basic necessities are hard for me to maintain even when I do make decent money.
I briefly mentioned once I believe in my post on “satisfaction” that my job circumstances had recently changed for various reasons leading me to make a significant amount less than I was before so.
I had become completely content with this change in career because I thoroughly enjoyed the change of work experience and was really good at it if I do say so myself! My friend was my manager, with me being one of his assistant managers. I was happy and finally starting to feel better but with most good things in life this sadly came to an end sooner rather than later…
A number of “drama packed” incidents occurred within my company as they seem to do more often than not over my past two years with them which ended with my friend/boss quitting. This left my store in quite a disarray.
Two weeks later….for the first time in my life…
I was FIRED!
I was asked to leave one night with absolutely no reasoning by the person who was chosen to replace my boss. At first, he wouldn’t even give me a reason as I stated, just abruptly told me to clock out and leave for the night. Eventually, coming outside to speak to me informing me he heard rumors me and a fellow manager were planning a “mutiny.” Yes, he literally used this word…
The other girl and I were utterly shocked by this statement to say the least and couldn’t believe we were being dismissed for nothing but “locker room rumors” considering we were practically running the day to day operations entirely by ourselves. It ended with him saying we could both return to work the following day. The next morning, however, I woke up to a voicemail saying once again that I was no longer needed and that was that.
This was only last week…
I honestly wasn’t sure if I had planned to return regardless after such events having never experienced such disrespect and lack of trust in a workplace.
I’m still taking it quite hard because not only have I been told by every manager I’ve ever previously had within this company that I’m one of the “best workers they have ever had” but also for it to all to be so personal and really still without proper reasoning for my dismissal.
Others and myself have come to realize the whole situation may have had to do with me being trans, with it all just being an excuse to get rid of me which is something I’ve yet to deal with in a work place scenario. Perhaps why I didn’t even consider it at first.
This was a situation in which this middle-aged gentlemen used to treat me entirely different before he found out about me. He had actually worked below me at the time before his advancement and was no stranger to the occasional comment or more straightforward attempt to “hit on me.” After he was told, even though my interactions with him had changed, I never thought he would let it affect our professional relationship. Especially when I did so much for him after he took over.
At this point, it’s all neither here nor there I suppose…
I really only planned to make this a very quick entry stating that I was still around and hoping to become more active again.
I think I’m going to mix it up and just start to post whenever the time strikes me and feels right. Not to say that I ever forced anything in the past. I may revert back to a more solid schedule in the future. For now, however, I think this is the best plan until my life becomes a touch more stable again.
I know I have at least four or so drafts to edit and hopefully post in the near future I had previously already written, but I may just end up scrapping them at this point…
We’ll see!
Writing anew would probably be for the best right now in my current state anyway!
I’m sure I’ll push through like I always do!
Hope you all are doing well!
(I feel like I’m already going to regret this absolute drivel…at least I posted again at all.)
One of the primary reasons I only choose to write about trans-related topics once a week typically is to attempt to portray this concept as best I can. I really only post transgender topics in the first place to help and/or educate others finally being at a place in my life where I feel am able to give back to the community. I never do it with any intention of boasting or to convey that it is miraculous to be trans or anything along these lines.
I try to write about all different kinds of topics and interests of mine to further enforce this point, also while hoping to potentially attract new readers without being “judged” first by any means for being transgendered. I feel that I have plenty to share with others that has absolutely nothing to do with being trans.
This is why in my personal life I rarely choose to disclose my “transgender status” with others before I feel they learn to know me simply as a person beforehand. I seldom approach it any other way nowadays with some exceptions.
At my core I am exactly the same person I have always been my entire life!
Just a much happier person who is more willing to express and share certain aspects of myself that I wasn’t able to do beforehand for a number of reasons.
I have primarily the same interests I’ve always had, the same views and philosophies on life with just simply, if anything, gaining more new hobbies and interests than ever before!
Don’t get me wrong, it may still on occasion upset or bother me on a personal level in some aspects but who doesn’t experience feelings like this about themselves every once in a while regardless of who or what you may be.
I feel some who may not be all that familiar with transgendered individuals can sometimes have this view that we are trying to “shove it down your throat” on occasion. As if we somehow feel we instantly deserve your respect or acceptance. I would never expect this from anyone else no matter what and never would expect the same in return. (I plan to write a topic based solely on my views pertaining to respect in general for those who may be interested in the future.)
I’ve stated previously in my topic about how, “being trans is in no way a choice” that we are simply just normal average people just trying to live our lives like anyone else. We have hopes, dreams, things we need and want. We are just like anyone else who just wants to be happy so they can be their best self.
Some trans people who choose to transition in the beginning might not initially or ever be up to the standards of what some may deem “worthy of being female” but this does not change the fact that they always have been and always will!
A good majority, if not all, are not seeking the “extra attention” they may often receive or trying to harm/offend anyone, I assure you!
Each and everyone of us, trans or not, is just trying to do whatever they can to be comfortable with themselves and be happy!
We all deserve this no matter who you are and/or your background!
One thing I can not stand almost more than anything else is fake people! Something about this type of person, at least for me personally, is always so easy to pick up on and identify right off the bat. I couldn’t pin point exactly what it is about them that makes it so obvious per se. I feel it primarily has to just be mainly you can tend to tell when a person is trying to hard I suppose? I would imagine this has to become quite exhausting on occasion.
I’ve made it a habit since I was very young to only surround myself with genuine people whenever I was able to make the choice on who I spent my time with. I can’t think of many close friends I’ve ever had in my life that didn’t fit this qualification.
I understand fully that in some circumstances in can sometimes be necessary to put up some type of front or “wear a mask” as they say. Depending on the type of work environment you may find yourself in for example. I know I have personally worked many jobs that required a healthy amount of customer service. This sure does not mean that I keep up this level of presentation with my coworkers or even all customers however. I know a good majority of us can often hold back when first meeting someone whether it be a new potential friend or family member. This is completely normal as well! I’m talking mainly in the sense of once these relationships have been established for a reasonable amount of time.
I know for myself that any ability I ever had to hide anything of myself from anyone has all but completely faded since I started hormones and began transitioning.
(See, we are getting into why this is more of a trans-topic post now!)
I’m not entirely sure if this is more based on the mental changes I have undergone, just being tired of holding back my full “true self” for so long, or the latter.
I can say from my own experience and interactions with other transgender individuals that you will rarely encounter one of us that isn’t completely a genuine person! This applies more so once you get farther into your transition I feel for the most part but this is by no means always the case!
A piece of advice I’d like to give to those who may be just beginning to transition (or really anyone for that matter) is letting yourself fully find out who you are. I mean this more in the sense as to never feel the need to limit yourself by expectations!
Never let anyone or anything make you feel that you have to be anything that you’re not!
What I mean by this mainly to give an example, I tended to feel like early on in my own transition that some expected me to like overly change somehow in the sense that I would be stereo-typically more “girly” or something along these lines.
Do not get me wrong!
I am plenty “girly” in a number of different ways, ha ha!
However, I would say I am far from being dominantly so!
I am beyond “tom-boyish” in plenty of ways as well!
Once again though, what is all this honestly based on in the first place except for certain expectations put in place by our society?
What exactly is it that make such things absolutely have to be more preferred or “normal” by one gender over the other?
Why can’t people just be people?
I suppose this can sound a bit odd from someone who felt so strongly about their gender identity that they felt the need to change certain aspects of herself to feel more comfortable but I would hope you understand my point here, ha ha!
Back to just talking more in a general sense!
I feel like a common area this can apply for anyone is often being embarrassed or ashamed of your interests.
Whether they may be considered nerdy/geeky (whatever the heck this even means once again!) or anything in general for whatever reason a friend/family member of yours doesn’t approve of.
First and foremost!
Learn to stop caring at all what people think about you in any sense of the word!
I realize that this can be much easier said than done depending on the situation but does it really need to be?
Own whatever it is that you enjoy and makes you yourself!
And love yourself for it!
We are all incredibly unique people and this is what makes us all fantastically amazing!
No one else in this world no matter what will ever be exactly who you are!
Remember this!
Not only have I personally embraced my gender identity over the past five or so years but this process has also made me learn to be myself completely and fully! (Whether I want to be or not for the most part as stated above, ha ha!) I have all but ceased trying to hide my “weird” and often “crazy” self from anyone no matter who you are! Random stranger on street, my friends, my family, anyone!
I know I already stated this above but once again learn to love yourself for what makes you special!
I can almost guarantee that if you own whatever makes you uniquely yourself that you will become a ton happier than you have ever been in your life!
(As I often like to include in various posts! Always keeping in mind as long as this never involves harming anyone or causing anyone any kind of pain! If you do feel like this then please do yourself a favor and seek some type of help, ha ha!)
If you don’t love yourself for whatever reason right now, take comfort in the fact that even though I might not know you, I love you!
I mean this sincerely!
I tend to be cursed with this ability to always see the good in people and find something I like about you even with the aforementioned “faker” types. I’m sure you have your reasons for acting the way you do!
Had a hard time finding a picture I liked for this topic, then I saw this berry and it just seemed almost perfect for what I wanted to express!
I often read or even come across others in my own life that still seem to think that being transgendered is somehow a choice…?
Trust me when I say, it is in no way a choice!
Sure, if you think someone would choose to be something that affects almost every aspect of their life!
More often than not since you were a small child!
That constantly makes you feel uncomfortable and anxious!
Leaving you struggling searching to find something that makes you feel even a little better!
Maybe, you find transitioning (or not transitioning) could be the only hope you have to find some type of relief from what you’ve always dealt with!
Yet, also this means being persecuted by a large amount of the population just for trying to be yourself!
When half the time you hate yourself plenty all on your own!
Then, who wouldn’t want to sign up for this as their life, right?!?!
Please, trust me when I say that being transgendered is in No Way a Choice!
It may sound extreme but for many of us it truly is a choice between life and death. We would rather not live anymore, or finally try to live our lives as who we have always truly been and hope for the best!
Let me stress a point here!
We are nothing but normal everyday people just trying to live our lives for the most part. We truly mean you no harm! I don’t understand the viewpoint that exists at all some seem to have that we are in anyway deviants of any kind?
Let’s stay on topic though for now, shall we?
Honestly, for any of you who may have ever taken a look at my “behemoth” of a post about “coming out” would know how much I tried to suppress being trans until it completely consumed me. For as large as that post may be, it only details very small parts of what I dealt with throughout my life.
I remember being in kindergarten and my class having a “Hawaiian Day” or something along those lines at school. I wore like a fake grass skirt home we had all made in class just because I liked it. This was innocent, I didn’t think anything of it really? When I got off the bus I remember my friend’s father calling me a “faggot” and telling me to take it off. This must have hurt me enough at the time to still make me remember it to this day.
Watching home videos and stuff now with my family, they often joke with me sometimes about how you can tell I was way more interested in my sister’s toys. I know at least one of them involved a ring from a “Pretty, Pretty Princess” game. (I’m far from a “princess” for the record, ha ha!)
Often when I was younger people would often mistake me for a girl. This would make me as equally happy as it would make me upset.
Then, you hit your teens and forget about it!
You are freaking out abouteverything!
It’s all just wrong and it kills you!
This can often lead to you experiencing depression for most of your teens, often following you into adult hood. You can try to find various ways to deny these feelings. Shut yourself down emotionally, alcohol, drugs, hobbies, various other distractions and vices but…
IT NEVER GOES AWAY!
And it never will go away!
No matter how you end up dealing with being transgender this is something you just end up needing to accept eventually or you will probably be miserable your entire life.
For many this path leads to transitioning like myself but others find plenty of other ways in some cases that allow them to find peace with themselves.
To each their own!
I’ve said before, gender is a spectrum and you can take all the time you need to find where your place on it lies!
I know that this topic is not one that is insanely unspoken about by any means! I do feel that in some ways it is almost put on the back-burner in a sense more often than not for some. I felt the need to write it more for those who may view or think being transgendered/transitioning is all more about the “physical aspect” of things than anything else.
Whether you be trans yourself or maybe just curious! I hope you enjoy!
Anyone who has read any of my previous posts will know that I have been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for roughly five years now. Words can honestly not even begin to describe the roller-coaster something like this entails! I truly don’t think it will ever be something one can fully relate to unless you are transgendered yourself and choose to pursue hormone therapy.
I like to refer to the first, give or take, two years I was on hormones to be the “puberty phase.” During this time you are experiencing more emotions, thoughts, and feelings than you can hardly stand half the time typically leaving you overwhelmed in a multitude of ways for various reasons.
Not only are you literally fully replacing all the hormones in your body, which effect more aspects of every sense of our lives more so than some probably may realize or think about all too often. You are also dealing with who knows what the heck else. You are most likely horribly depressed, anxious, you may not have support, etc…
I was lucky in the sense to have amazing support almost all around but I had plenty of others unique circumstances I was dealing with as well. I can easily say that this whole period of time was the most depressing period and hardest times I’ve ever went through in my life. (Which is saying something I assure you!)
I spent probably my first three months on hormones sleeping almost all day, everyday, not only from depression but the effects of the changes I was experiencing from such at abrupt change to my system. For most of these first two years I was irritable, upset, exhausted, barely ate half the time, I barely functioned in general…
Then, miraculously one day (which literally feels like it comes out of absolutely nowhere!) I realized two things…
I’m kind of starting to feel a ton better and more stable?
Actually….I feel like a totally different person!
THIS IS INSANE! HOW AND WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?
I swear you will always read or see about this aspect of transitioning and taking hormones often discussed by others but it’s unimaginable until you truly experience it for yourself.
Don’t get me wrong! I am still 100% myself in so many ways!
It’s almost more as if who I’ve always been is just like enhanced? (For lack of a better word or ability to explain…)
I feel another potentially huge factor in all this is also how, more often than not, trans people will suppress who they really are in a lot of ways. I mention in my coming out post about how I used to mainly just let myself be emotionless almost, unintentionally, so I didn’t have to deal with how I really felt.
I can assure you now that I feel more emotions and cycle through more thoughts in a single day than I can even handle some days! Ha ha!
I feel in some ways like I was only born about 3 years ago and honestly never feel like the person I was before was ever me.
(I often think about how funny it would be if we could somehow meet. I think it would be HILARIOUS!)
When you first begin HRT I think a lot of the initial effects come more from relief of finally starting steps to help yourself and may in some ways even be a type of “placebo effect.”
Let me assure you, however!
Things are going to change one day in ways you can’t even comprehend out of nowhere and it will be amazing!
Be patient! As always, with all aspects of transitioning YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!
Transitioning is by no means a race! Unless growing as a person every single day like we all should in life should be rushed… (Sarcasm!)
While, I still struggle in plenty of ways, as we all do, whether it be “normal problems” or transgendered related things, I have never felt better about myself as a person all around and continue to get happier and more comfortable every single day!
I do intend to make a post in the future pertaining to more specific examples and experiences that these changes have entailed but for now I think this will do just fine!
I hope this has been mildly entertaining and/or informative!
Somehow, in this day and age, of endless resources and technology, for one reason or another, confusion on this subject still seems to exist for some portion of the population.
I felt especially with it being Pride Month that it was the perfect time for such a topic!
More often then not in the transgender community you will often hear people discuss how many (not all but some!) still seem to think a correlation between sexual orientation and gender identity are inherently linked somehow.
This should go without saying but this is not the case at all!
I personally feel (as I’m sure many trans-people do as well) that this topic will often arise when “coming out” and/or disclosing your transgender status to others. This primarily seems to be the case especially with people you previously knew before beginning to transition. One of the first few questions you will often receive typically include…
So, Does that mean you like guys or girls?
(Or something along these lines…)
Sure, I can understand how for many this is a simple logical followup question in such a scenario. However, it really shouldn’t be relative at all…
Someone’s gender identity has absolutely nothing to do with the vast amount of different sexual preferences that exist. Sexual attraction is a broad spectrum which so many seem to feel the need to put into such rigid categories.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to explain that the term “transgender” is an umbrella term to describe anyone who does not identify with traditional “gender binaries.” I, for example, am technically a “transsexual” meaning that I solely identify as being a woman and have sought medical care to assist me with this.
A transgender person can be straight, gay, lesbian, bi, asexual, etc…
Are Cis (non-transgender) individuals faced with the same kind of assumptions for their genders?
I mean, maybe in some cases but more often than not, this is not the case!
Maybe, it even should be more prevalent in a lot of ways!
A person’s gender whether they be Cis or Trans should have absolutely no reflection on their potential particular sexual orientation.
I know, for me personally (anyone who may have happened to already read my post that included my “Coming Out Story” has previously seen) that my own sexual orientation was something I have always struggled with almost my entire life!
I remember a very vivid situation sitting around with a few friends as a teenager telling them that I really thought I might be asexual because I simply never felt a strong attraction for either gender. I’ve come to realize and accept at this point in my life that this was most likely because I didn’t feel comfortable being with anyone as I used to be.
I still in a lot of ways struggle with this even to this day. I really don’t date or anything for the most part or ever really even think of “sexual things” most of the time.
(It’s actually an interesting perspective to be in a world surrounded by a society that is so obsessed with sex when you could really care less about it!)
Upon further self reflection I have since mainly settled on the fact that I simply just don’t typically find someone attractive unless I share a connection with them first. The term used to describe this, that has come to light in more recent years, is apparently called “Demi-Sexual.”
I’m not really the type that necessarily feels the need to put labels on things but this is the “group” I fit in with the most primarily.
I, also, in some ways, identify as being “Pan-Sexual” which essentially means you don’t limit your attractions solely based on various gender identities.
Like I said, I’m not one that really feels the need to put labels on everything but I certainly understand the need that many feel to do so!
In a lot of ways, I think a decent majority of people would be happier not allowing things to be so “set in stone” when it comes to the various levels of attraction and/or gender identity!
Both of these, as briefly mentioned previously in this post, are on a huge ever growing spectrum. I’m sure a ton of people would potentially be a lot happier or even more open if our society didn’t feel the need for things to be solely one way or another with various things.
I guess that seems like as a good a place as any to wrap up this particular topic.
I hope for some this may have been, in anyway, mildly educational or interesting!
Happy Pride Month Everyone!
Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you are wrong for simply being who you are!
(As long as nobody is getting hurt!)
(Unless maybe your into that and it’s consensual…)
I found myself very torn this week between writing about the importance of your “Voice” and how if you decide you are or may be transgendered should be something you begin to practice above almost anything else in my opinion or….
Jump right into the “Mental Changes” Topic!
I believe I dropped at least some type of hints towards either of these in my last Trans-Topic post?
I felt like it was better to mix up the changes talk.
As you can see, I have since decided on Voice for now, so let’s get started!
(As mentioned at the start before the really unnecessary introduction…)
I’m not saying that your voice is solely one of the most important things to focus on. I do feel, however, that it is something that may tend to be overlooked more so in the beginning?
I say this solely based on the fact that a “brand new awesome female voice” is not something you can just magically obtain overnight.
It takes time, practice, and dedication.
Surgery options are available if you feel you may choose to pursue this route as an option in the future. I have read that even then it is highly recommended to still do some previous voice training before surgery. This is said to help maximize results. As with all surgeries, some degree of risk is involved as well.
Personally, I don’t feel the need to pursue surgery.
I, myself, was able to obtain a voice I was more than happy with after I’d say two years?
Keep in mind, this is a point when I would say I “tapped out” for the most part is all. Not to say that I don’t still feel it continues to be better all the time but just more in the sense when it peaked?
It takes a decent amount of time is all my point is.
Basic, I guess, science lesson for you?
(I’m certainly not going to 100% guarantee what I’m going to say but I would hope it’s fairly accurate from research I’ve done in the past.)
We all are both born with an upper and lower register that we use for speech. Most of us as children will all naturally speak in the upper of the two until puberty when males begin to trigger the use of primarily the lower register.
We are all capable of accessing these registries with time and practice. This training and/or practice should be taken very seriously or you may run the risk of straining your vocal chords.
(Pretty much just meaning you’ll have like a super bad sore throat for a day or two!)
A “mistake” you sometimes will see, is that some Mtf’s may try to talk using more of a “falsetto” type of speaking voice. Involving simply trying to sound higher or more “airy” if you will.
Let me stress this, now!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this!
You don’t even have to do anything to your voice as far as I’m concerned!
By all means, you do you, kick it low or high, whatever works for you!
This is simply all just my opinion on something I know, for me, was very important not only for myself but my ability to feel comfortable with others as well.
Where was I…?
O, Falsetto!
This is not the style of voice that you should be striving for in your long term goals to sound more “feminine.” You can’t be afraid of the lowness or deepness of your voice.
If anything I say embrace that!
Seriously, listen to how your average woman speaks?
She’s not all light and nasally or up in her head!
She’s just talking and hopefully being awesome!
Training yourself to access and use this “upper register” as mentioned before will eventually lead you to not even thinking of how natural it is to just talk and be yourself. I feel like your inner “thinking” voice is an interesting example you’ll see change, as well.
I would honestly consider my voice to be my “saving grace” in my ability to “pass well” for the most part. Once again, not something you should need to feel any concern about! If it is, however, then it is completely within your reach!
Yes, it takes time!
Pretty much every second you get alone should be practicing time!
I would highly recommend finding training videos and other resources to help you. Both are fairly easy and accessible to find on your own. You can use ones that aren’t specifically “trans-related” that work just fine, too. I would say I used a healthy combo of both myself.
Still to this day I repeat this “Rainbow Passage” voice training exercise I’ve probably said like a million times!
(Along with plenty of various others….)
Another good thing to do is record yourself! I used to do this on my phones personal recorder for memos. Essentially almost every time I was in the car for probably two years? Let alone all the other times!
I feel like I’ve been making this sound like a grueling process but I assure you it’s not that bad! It may take time and effort but very little besides that in all honesty!
I know you can do it if you set your mind to it!
Or don’t!
That’s cool like I said!
I’m all for the mentality of people doing whatever they need to with their lives to be happy as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone!
Whether that is your voice or anything else!
I hope this was informative, interesting, and/or helpful for some!
I’ve never understood why throughout my life I have always seen this phrase in various places…
PUNK IS DEAD!
Punk music has always been one of my favorite genres of music, if not my most favorite! I love all music (except for country, don’t even get me started, some southern rock is cool but whatever….) , it’s by far my biggest passion and the very broad “punk genre” has always been super high on the list!
I initially got into punk music shortly before I entered high school if I had to guess? I know for sure by the time I entered high school is what like my entire life revolved around at the time. I hung out with all the “punk” kids, was always going to shows (both local and otherwise), and was even in a few of my own punk bands over the years.
Punk is such an amazing genre of music that I feel is often misunderstood by some who may have never had much exposure or experience with it? Not to say that’s the norm or anything but yea, moving on!
I feel like Punk in general whether you are referring to the varying music styles or the “fashion” is for the most part, in my experience, completely different than what your average “regular everyday person” may think.
Punk if nothing else I believe is about COMMUNITY!
I guess most “niche” or less “mainstream” than other interests tend to stress this more than most sometimes. The punk community if nothing else, in the simplest terms, is a gathering of “misfits!” I mean that in the greatest possible way mind you! A group of individuals from all walks of life, coming together to mutually appreciate music they love and their respective artists!
If you’ve ever been to a punk show before this should be more than enough to make this clear!
And I’m not talking about every show you’ll ever go to because some can tend to be a touch more “hardcore” but just average run of the mill punk show, ha ha!
Every single person in the crowd at a punk show (excluding random a-holes!) is constantly looking out for each other!
You lost your shoe?
I’m sure everyone around you is trying to help you find it and hopefully you do!
(I’ve personally finished a show in just socks for the record…)
O, NO! You fell down in the PIT!
Typically, people will form a “circle of protection” around you until someone else helps you get back up!
These are just two super quick examples but ones I’m sure we have all experienced or witnessed if a punk show has been a previous pleasure of yours.
Punk is about nothing more than appreciation of music and a great sense of community at it’s core! It’s about plenty of others things, of course, but I believe this sums it up in it’s simplest terms.
Punk often I feel has this connotation of “violence” tagged to it which is in most cases not the case at all in my opinion. Sure, some level has and always will imply with it some level of “revolution” but don’t many types of other genres tend to also share similar themes, don’t they?
This brings me back to my original point….
How is it exactly that “Punk is Dead?”
I mean if it’s one of my favorite musical genres and one that I have shared with plenty of others?
Is this just from people who really wanted like “anarchy” or something like that?
I truly don’t understand at all….
If, plenty of artists and creators are still alive and well, constantly still performing and the like.
Why do you think this?
If anyone has any input I would seriously, no joke, love to hear about it so leave me a comment if you like!
I’m going to leave you with this…
Punk is about a lot more than just fashion, world views, or anything else for that matter!
First and foremost, it’s about MUSIC!
Not to say that punk doesn’t tend to carry with it a “certain mentality” I feel like from my experience. I don’t think it matters if your someone rocking the biggest mohawk I’ve ever seen with ripped jeans or maybe you’ve grow up a bit and find yourself now rocking a suit and tie most days for work!
You’re still PUNK as hell if you still have that music appreciation and mentality alive in your HEART!
Punk is Alive and Well!
I know I will never stop loving it my entire LIFE!
Don’t forget to let me know if you have any idea why some people use this phrase and like/follow if you like what you see!
(Been listening to “Bikini Kill” for the majority of this post if your curious, ha ha!)
(Disclaimer: I can almost guarantee with absolute certainty, that this will be the longest post you ever find here. When I got done writing this, I honestly couldn’t get over how long it turned out to be! If you somehow manage to make it through the whole thing you must be a saint! Not to say you won’t find it enjoyable, just proceed at your own risk….. You have been WARNED!)
Accepting and coming to terms with the fact that you might be transgendered in the beginning is most likely one of the scariest, exciting, most confused and stressed times you will ever go through in your life. I know for me, personally, it was all of the above stated and more. I can honestly probably say for the first few months it was the lowest place I have ever found myself in my entire life so far. You are constantly overwhelmed by powerful thoughts and emotions. You may not be able to think about anything else and find yourself doing absolutely nothing but reading, researching, and/or huddled up in a ball unable to doing anything at all. First and forth most, REMEMBER TO BREATH!!
I know if you’re anything like me you can’t do anything but what I just said but just remember, like all things, that all these feelings and thoughts will eventually subside, at least by some degree. So, after you are able to recollect yourself and hopefully are able to function. What should your next steps be? You’re probably dying to tell someone or you may want to start hormones right this second and can’t stand living another second without thinking of a way to obtain them right this second! All of these things, I would imagine, are universal for most trans people. Just try to remember that none of this is going to happen overnight. That everything takes time whether you decide to pursue medical transition or not.
Most, professionals and other members of the community, recommend that you find a qualified counselor or therapist who specializes, hopefully, in gender dysphoria. This may or may not be the right step for you but I know that many states in the US and other locations require a letter of recommendation from a licensed professional if you choose to seek out medical treatment. I, myself, at the start, found such a professional and saw them regularly, once a week, for probably almost my first 3 months before deciding to come out to others. At the time, this was very important and helped me a ton! I feel this was what finally helped me to become somewhat stable again and finally to gain the courage to come out to others. I have since then, never pursued counseling or like ever again so far. This is primarily financial I suppose, but I also don’t feel like therapy is really the right thing for me as a person. I feel as if they seem to mostly be “stick to the book types” which I really don’t feel applies for everyone. It certainly does not for me, but this is usually a great first step as I said and recommended by almost everyone.
So, at this point, you may or may not, have done the above stated. Perhaps, you already decided to come out to a close friend or family member or found a medical treatment center that does not require a professional’s letter of recommendation. At the very least, I hope you are starting to feel even slightly better about yourself. No matter what you decide to do, whether it be medically transitioning, or if you found a way to be comfortable with yourself as you are. Remember, that you are an awesome and unique individual and you have plenty to live for and offer to this world!
Now, for those who do find yourself in the position of wanting to come out to others, seek medical care and like. What, now? For me this was easily hands down one of the most frightening things you could ever imagine! You, may or may not, have felt like this your entire life, you could have only just came to terms with what has always been that itching feeling inside you that you couldn’t explain, or maybe the latter.
I knew myself, from a very young age, that I felt as if I was a female from probably around the age of 4 or so (pretty much my earliest memories.) When I was this age I didn’t, necessarily, think anything of it but I remember going to sleep almost everything night wishing I would somehow magically wake up as a little girl, instead of a little boy. I really didn’t understand why I felt this way and, sometimes, wondered if anyone else ever had similar feelings. When, I got a little bit older, I slowly realized that this typically was not the case. For the most part, locked it away forever, remaining as my deepest darkest secret for most of my young life.
I tried my best to suppress my feelings, most of the time, which was both an exhausting and daunting task at times. I would often find myself seeking media forms that involved transgender themes or reading various fantasy related stories, involving different types of transformation, to try and ease these feelings. This, usually, kept these feelings and urges at bay. I tried my best to just skate through life as best as I could manage. I would typically have feelings of guilt or, sometimes, even feel sick with myself for having these thoughts.
When I entered my early teens (the lovely time for puberty that is such a FANTASTICtime for most! Can you sense the sarcasm…?) I slowly found myself starting to experiment with “cross-dressing”. Once again, I found myself with another huge major “deepest darkest secret.” I would borrow clothes from my mother, sister, occasionally steal them from stores, pretty much anywhere I could get my hands on new items. This was when I really started to feel even more disgusted with myself. I found myself constantly going through the “purge stage” in which I would obtain a bunch of various items that I would usually hide somewhere in my room, and then completely get rid of them, usually by throwing them in the trash, telling myself that I would never do this again because I was disgusting, a freak, or any other negative connotations. This was a constant struggle that I found myself going through for most of life until probably shortly after I graduated from high school. At this point, I told myself I was done forever that I was never going to do this, ever again! I was going to completely lock away this part of myself and never do anything to remind myself of anything even somewhat related to it. This worked for a long time. My life was continuing to progress in a somewhat “normal” fashion for someone my age. Things were “fine.” Not great, or even good, but fine.
When, I reached the legal drinking age in my country (Who am I kidding? Even slightly before so, but mainly at this time…) I found myself falling into the lovely state of being what I’d call a “borderline alcoholic.” A very normal and common distraction among transgender folks and plenty of others, as well. When, I was freshly 21, for at least a year I’d say, I would go to the bar with my friends almost every single night and half the time would find myself getting “black out drunk.” I was so miserable at this point that just being able to not be conscience at this point was the greatest thing in the world to me. I was noticeably openly depressed and would often discuss this with close friends without ever disclosing what I knew was most likely the underlying cause for most of these feelings. This technique worked for a decent while, but like most things, this era eventually came to an end.
At the “ripe” age of I want to say 23ish, I found myself in what was, to be completely honest, the first real “relationship” I ever had in my life. A young woman, who was only a year younger than me, had become “head over heels” in love with me and decided to confess this to me. At this point in my life, I honestly wasn’t even sure what my sexual preference was, or if I even had one for that matter. I figured this might be a good time to try and figure that out and decided to pursue a relationship with her. We were friends already so I had already previously cared about her as a person and we always got along great. I really did, and probably always will, love her in some way. Things seemed like they were going pretty well. We were having fun like we always did, doing random things throughout the day, you know, normal couple things. This is all slowly started to change when she asked me the question….
“So, why haven’t you ever tried to sleep me with….?”
YES! I was a 23 year old virgin! Is this really that shocking considering the above stated? I’m obviously joking, but you get my point, haha. This question scared me more than anything else in the world! Like I said, I really did care about her and I knew that she was an attractive woman but I honestly still really didn’t have any need or desire for those types of activities. We had kissed, of course, and the like, by this point and that was nice, for the most part, but still, this was a whole other level to me.
Long story short, this continued to be an issue for literally our ENTIRE relationship. We, eventually, as you would imagine, did end up “sleeping together.” Our first time together, like it is for many others, was how should I say this? Well, it didn’t last very long….
For some reason, in the back of my mind, what happened next, I for some odd notion, always knew was going to happen. She got pregnant…
This changed everything!
I found myself in a very precarious situation. What was I supposed to do? I always wanted to have children but I hardly even knew what my sexuality was at this point. We ended up deciding to have the child and do our best to make a life for ourselves, together. We found an apartment, told our parents, and just did the general things most “soon-to-be parents” do. Nine months later or so, our son was born! At this point, I honestly couldn’t have been happier, life was great! I felt like a full fledged, established adult! How, grand! I was with someone I cared deeply about, had a child I loved more than anything in the world, (even more so than I had even wondered if I was capable of at this point) and things were going good. Shortly, after around the time, I would say he was slightly older than a year, we decided to start planning a wedding. I mean it was the right thing to do at this point, right? What else does a happy couple with a newborn do with their lives?
A year or so later, we were married. An awesome little wedding, if I do say so myself, and a blast to plan! (Interesting side note, at one point while meeting with our photographer, he commented on how I mentioned and noticed things that other, “soon-to-be husbands” rarely ever say or acknowledge. RED FLAG! Maybe? Haha!)
Things were progressing at a normal pace for a newly married couple and their child. We bought a house, slowly made it our own little by little, and life went on. Give or take another year or so, we decided to start trying to have a second child. Once again, only the next logical, reasonably, normal step in the life of a happily married couple? I should stress again at this point, that as previously stated, our physical relationship was always, ALWAYS, a struggle. It was honestly probably one of our most major reoccurring issues among other things….
She practically was always up for a “fun physical romp” while myself, however, could still honestly, ever care if we had physical relations or not. Never the less…
Another, nine months or so, give or take. We had another healthy young baby boy! Things were going good still, right? How could I not be like the happiest person in the world? I had almost anything that most could ever dream for, a home, a loving wife, and two beautiful children! Sadly, at this point, after so many years, it all came rushing back in, more powerful than it ever had been, previously, before….
I honestly don’t even really remember at this point what even brought it back, but when it did happen, it was terrible…
I could barely function, it became all I could think about no matter how hard I tried. Everything I had ever felt previously about feeling as if I should have been born female came rushing back into to me like a drug! I began reading stuff online again, fantasy stories on occasion, real life stories about other transgender people coming out, mostly anything I could get my hands on. At this point, I was losing it! I had no idea what to do but eventually came to terms with the fact that I needed to do something about this or I was, most likely, going to potentially do something terrible….
I decided to seek out a therapist that specialized in gender dysphoria and was luckily able to find one only a short distance from myself. I told my wife that I was simply going for depression. She was very upset because she didn’t understand why this wasn’t simply something that I could discuss and work out with her. I stressed that everything was fine and just really thought I had gone too far, at this point, and felt I needed professional help. She was fully aware that I had be going through something, by far worse than I had ever dealt with, previously. She was also always aware that I had struggled with depression and anxiety in general.
I proceeded to head to first counseling appointment. Utterly terrified and shaking, like I’m sure many are going to a therapist for the first time, whether it be for trans-related issues or otherwise. Session after session, I slowly but surely started to feel somewhat better. Not great, but I was at least regaining a slight ability to function again.
Eventually, (I’m not entirely sure after how many sessions) I finally worked up the courage to do what I knew was enviable at this point…
I had to tell my wife, it wasn’t fair to her not to anymore.
I forget my exact words and how I eventually did attempt to explain it to her but it honestly went a ton better than I was expecting. Initially, of course, she was shocked. Who wouldn’t be hearing something like this for the first time? Let alone with someone you’ve shared your life with for nearly five years at this point. After weeks, longer even, of countless discussions and arguments, she eventually decided that she was willing to still try and make things work with us. I was both, shocked and relieved, at this point! I couldn’t believe it! I never thought that she would be so accepting. I think this is most married transgendered people’s greatest fear in the beginning, potentially, losing the trust and care of the one you love.
Things were finally getting better for me at this point! I was on top of the world almost for a time. Why wouldn’t I be? Things all slowly started to change when she realized the full extent of what this would entail for our life together. I knew by now, after continuing to still go to therapy, that I not only needed but was ready to start pursing hormonal treatment or I couldn’t continue another day.
THIS CHANGED EVERYTHING!
When, I first came out to her I don’t think the full gravity of the situation was really clear to either of us. I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or how to go about it. She was trying her best, but it was still always so hard for her, which was the last thing I ever wanted. I knew I had to begin taking hormones, as soon as possible, or I wasn’t going to able to continue to feel okay and function like I was. She was not okay with this, and I can’t blame her in the slightest. I don’t see how you could blame anyone for feeling that way.
Another, long story short, after months of continuing to struggle in figuring this all out. I, eventually, decided that me being with her wasn’t what was best for either of us….
This killed me more than anything else at the time, for a multitude of reasons, but to this day I still feel it was for the best. (Not to say that I don’t still feel some level of guilt for all this fairly often, even after all this time…) To be completely honest, I don’t want to use the word excuse, but us separating was a long time coming for many other various reasons that I don’t feel like getting into right now.
I moved back into my mother’s house, at this point, with her and my three siblings. By now, I had come out to most of my immediate family as well. Luckily, everything single one of them was amazing and couldn’t have been more accepting which I know is a luxury so many of us are, sadly, not blessed with. I did lose some friends while coming out, which is to be expected, but also at my age at the time, is when you start to drift from some of the friends from your youth, so that may be either here nor there, in some circumstances.
I found myself, slowly but surely, reverting back into one of the worst places I had ever found myself….
I was still seeing my therapist regularly, while, also beginning to look into where I could seek medical treatment. (Which my therapist was against at this time, for the record, but I knew it was the right thing for me, regardless.) After, a short internet search, I was able to found a physician specializing in trans-related care, located only about an hour’s drive from where I lived located in Philadelphia, called the Mazzoni Center! I was thrilled! They have an “online patient portal” which allows you to contact them at anytime and I remember sending them my first message, around, three in the morning…
I woke up the next day, to find they had already replied and set me up for an initial intake appointment and assessment! I attended the appointment, shortly after, and roughly two weeks later after receiving my blood work, I started taking hormones about a week before my 28th birthday! Once again, for a time, I felt like I was on cloud nine and everything was coming together! However, just like previous times, this did not last for long….
The reality of life, slowly but surely, started to catch up with me again.
WHAT THE HECK WAS I EVEN DOING?
How could I throw away everything I had in my life? What am I going to do now? Did I make a mistake? How am I going to support myself? (I worked in a primarily male dominated field, at the time, and did not feel comfortable continuing to work in said field.) Should I really still do all this? I fell back into terrible depression and spent most of my time sleeping just so I didn’t have to face my problems.
Eventually, I was finally able to come to terms with my choices and reassess everything. I came to the enviable conclusion that I did, in fact, not make the wrong choice. It was either attempt to transition, and live as who I always I was meant to be, or end my life.
So, I stuck to my guns!
One step, after the other, I slowly but surely dealt with everything I needed to do. I stopped attending therapy at this point feeling not only did I not really need it anymore, but I could also not continue to afford it financially. I, eventually, got divorced and dealt with all the fun stuff that entails. I began regularly being able to see my children, after not seeing them for some time. (Sigh…) I found a new job in a completely different field than I was previously in. (Granted, I only remained there for a short time but that’s a whole other story and a topic I plan to cover in the future!) Things were finally starting to, at least, somewhat settle I guess, for the most part.
For now, though, I think it’s about time I wrap this up! All other stories and life details shall be saved for another time. (I honestly did not except this to turn out to be even half as long as I’m imagining this has become, haha.)
I really hope my story was, in anyway, helpful or relatable to any of you. I’ve been wanting to put myself out there and give back to the trans-community for some time now and I’m so happy I am finally at a place in my life where I am able to do so! I’ve, now, been on hormones for nearly five years and fully live my life “fulltime” as they say. (I really don’t care for that term.) I still have my “ups-and-downs” regularly like anyone else but I’ve made it this far and you can, too! No matter if you’re trans or cis (not transgendered) never give up on your life! You can always find something to live for and you are always worth it!
Before I go, I just wanted to say a few more things. No matter how you may be feeling and no matter how sure you are that you are transgendered or even want to transition.
DO NOT RUSH THINGS!
I REPEAT, DO NOT RUSH THINGS!
Hormones, and the like, are no magical instant cure for all your problems in life. Sure, they might help a ton, but they do not fix everything. If you were suffering from any type of mental health concerns, or any general life problems, they will still be there even after you begin to transition. Granted, hormones sure helped me a ton in regards to both of these, aforementioned, concerns but your general health and well being needs to come from much more than just hormones. This is very important to remember before you, potentially, decide to seek to medically transition. It can become very easy when you first start researching trans-related topics to “romanticize” it which is something you really should never, ever, do!
I’m not going to lie to you….
Life for a trans-person sometimes can be awful…
It is a constant struggle, not only with others, but with yourself. However, I’m not trying to be a “negative nancy” by any means and if you do come to the eventual conclusion that transitioning is right for you….
THEN, YOU FREAKIN’ GO, GUY OR GIRL!
Alright, on that note, I’m really going to finally wrap it up this time! (I have a tendency to ramble if you ever do decide to continue to follow my blog…) I think for my next post, I’m most likely going to write something related to music, just to mix things up and keep it interesting.
If you found yourself here and actually listened to what I have to say…
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
In fact, I love you, regardless! This world is a rough, and sometimes really hard place to live, but with support of good friends and family anything is possible! If you ever find yourself in a rough spot, please reach out to someone before you do anything rash. I recommend visiting Susans.org for an awesome transgender related forum! You can also seek help from, Trans-Lifeline, a suicide hotline made exclusively for transgendered individuals. If all else fails, and you have absolutely no one else, reach out to me! I couldn’t be more serious! If you have absolutely no one else to talk to and find yourself in a rough spot, email me and I will, honestly, do my best to try and help!
If you’ve somehow managed already to stumble upon this blog I would have to say I’m absolutely shocked, haha!
I’m not even gonna lie to you but this is all very, very new to me.
I’m currently in the process of trying to grow my online presence both professionally and personally. I really came across wordpress.com completely by accident while filling out a job application that asked if I was proficient in it…..
Well I guess you could say I’m almost there now, right!
Anyways, If you’ve somehow managed to continue to read and don’t already find my lack of grammar or sentence structure to be absolutely abysmal….
I welcome you to follow my blog as well as my other up and coming soon to be projects!
If you have any interest in transgender related topics, music, gaming, anime or life in general then I’m the girl for you!
Look forward to all this content and more!
Thank you so much for reading! I already love you!
Till next time, Ciao!
I don’t think I’ve ever said that before in my life but it just felt right…..
Random Thoughts and Info brought to you by Cailin Conroy! 