So I'm very new to self acceptance on being a woman. Only a week in a half in, but have been contemplating if I were trans for a few months.
My partner is supportive and wonderful but I also know how big of a change this is for her as well. I don't want to move faster than she is comfortable, but also am struggling a lot more with dysphoria since I realized who I am.
I have good days where I explore my femininity and feel a confidence in myself that I've never felt before. It's especially helpful when my wife is right there by my side. Today for example she did my makeup for me. We trimmed my eyebrows, put on foundation and mascara as well as a tinting lip balm. I couldn't stop smiling about how pretty I felt.
Other days I feel more like my old self. Stuck in my shell and shutting down. I didn't realize how dark and depressing my life felt before my acceptance. I feel almost suicidal in those moments because that was generally how I was starting to feel. Just a mountain of shame and guilt over the drastic changes I'm forcing my wife and child to deal with.
I guess I'm wondering how normal it is to feel a shift in my mental image of myself like this? Either I feel like a woman, or something makes me feel like a man and my mood plummets.
Guess I'm just looking for some extra reassurance from others like me. I've only told my therapist and wife and when I'm drowning in guilt, all I want is a hug and reassurance that things will be ok. That I will be ok.
I don't know. This is all so scary sometimes and gives me a pit in my stomach. Do I even have the courage to come out to the world? To risk my life and what I've built with my loved ones to explore this?
I'm also very early in my self acceptance journey, and I can definitely relate to what you're describing. Something I noticed this morning in the shower: Recently I've had a massive uptick in intrusive thoughts about death, but I've also felt the most confident and put-together I've felt in years. The other side, and the journey to get there, seems scary right now, but I think we're going to get there just fine <3
I'm here for you as you have been for me! We can get through this together ❤️
I'm having a lot of those thoughts too. Both feelings of confidence and love for myself and more depressive thoughts like I'm just too tired to do this? Now I know why I have had chronic depression and anxiety - but also 29 years of that really takes the wind out of your sails sometimes.
It is hard right now, but you're right we absolutely will get through this, and when we're on the other side we'll be happier for it. I guess the catipiller isn't very comfortable in his cocoon either, but she stil emerges as a beautiful butterfly ❤️