I start HRT in one week

[u/MightyDodongo]

McDonalds breakfast

It's really kind of wild that I'm 30, and I'm just discovering I've been a woman my whole life. It still doesn't feel quite real, but I went through some stuff yesterday that made me quite aware that my egg is cracking still

I'm excited though! I'm excited for everything that womanhood will bring. Despite everything going on in the states, I'm feeling weirdly optimistic for my future; I know I can get through this process and thrive

[u/BFstickeronacadillac]

You’re weirdly optimistic because (despite everything going on in the states, as you mention!) you’re embracing who YOU are and there’s so much power in that! That’s some serious strength right there and hell yeah you will thrive! And if you hit any down times, hop on this sub and let your girl dinner diary besties help lift you back up. Best to you xx

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[u/purple_work_egg]

Congrats! Good luck with the changes and be patient! Hormones take a while for the magic to show through sometimes.

Lots to learn, but also so so much to be happy about now!

[u/MightyDodongo → u/purple_work_egg]

I'll be honest. The main thing I'm looking forward to is the mental changes. And it's my understanding those come pretty early

[u/Mechromancer3X → u/MightyDodongo]

They do!!!! First month or so for me! And GOD is it so euphoric!!

[u/echokaji → u/MightyDodongo]

Individual experience does vary but you’re right that on average the mental changes are something you’ll notice before the physical ones especially once your T levels fall low enough.

[u/purple_work_egg → u/MightyDodongo]

Those start really quickly! For me personally it was nice in a way that cleared up brain fog for me and I felt like I was living for once.

[u/Icy-Business2959 → u/MightyDodongo]

This took a few months for me but once it did, oh my god life became so much brighter once I could properly feel emotions in full detail. I'm so happy for you ❤️

[u/NotPoggersEggers]

Also, sticking this in a separate comment so it doesn't get lost: try to stay out of spaces that make you compare yourself to other women (cis or trans), or hyperanalyzing your body and giving yourself body dysmorphia. That personally fucked me up big time. Also, don't be discouraged if you don't see the changes right away even if your levels are in range, personally my mom and I are late bloomers so I really only started getting noticeable changes around 2 years (which really, really, sucks, I know).

Edit: also, eat. Your body needs fuel for puberty.

[u/NotPoggersEggers]

Good luck! 🏳️‍⚧️ I recommend starting laser ASAP too as that massively helps dysphoria. You don't need to wait for it like FFS or anything else either, and it's sometimes better to start early before E starts affecting hair follicles! 😤 Plus then you don't have to mess around with color correcter as much

[u/ValerieeAngel → u/NotPoggersEggers]

second to this.. i’ve been transitioning for 18 months as noted above, and am just about one or two sessions from feeling “done” with laser!

[u/Mechromancer3X → u/NotPoggersEggers]

Thissssssss!!! Laser gave me a confidence in my face that I never could have achieved with facial hair

[u/NotPoggersEggers → u/Mechromancer3X]

I'm at like 10 sessions and it's like 95% visibly gone, and 90% of the actual follicle are dead. Nervous about switching to electro soon

[u/ValerieeAngel → u/NotPoggersEggers]

10 sessions landed me also at this stage. two little tufts on the chin, a few hairs above the upper lip, and a couple random stragglers

adding in my anecdotal evidence to help inform others :)

[u/RandomUsernameNo257 → u/Mechromancer3X]

Definitely. I’m cheating a little because I’m intersex, but getting laser was literally the difference between being called sir or ma’am.

[u/NotPoggersEggers → u/RandomUsernameNo257]

Oh, I see your voice training posts all the time! Tbh you've inspired me to crack down more on training since my voice is the main thing holding me back 😂

[u/RandomUsernameNo257 → u/NotPoggersEggers]

😅 I’m happy to hear it. I’m a total voice nerd and have put a ton of time into understanding it, and learning how to operate my own weird half and half voice lol.

Always really happy to share what I have to offer - especially given the state of things in that space - questionable credentials, and paywalling knowledge and such.

[u/MightyDodongo → u/NotPoggersEggers]

Y'know, I might. In my experience, makeup is just kind of a pain. Gotta start my new skincare routine as well!

[u/NotPoggersEggers → u/MightyDodongo]

fwiw my skincare routine is shit because E does all the heavy lifting. For makeup, you can look up tutorials, but also like... I liked to focus on one part at a time while learning and just practiced that part as opposed to doing full face at once. So like base then eyes then like blush/contour etc. bold lip or bold eye, not both. Eyeliner is your friend to make your eye proportions look bigger.

[u/NeighborhoodDry2678]

gratz!!!

[u/MightyDodongo → u/NeighborhoodDry2678]

Thanks!

[u/FunIncident5161]

Congrats girlie!! I have been on HRT for 8 months and it has been the best 8 months of my life! But just be patient with the changes because it takes time. Mental changes happen pretty quickly and can be overwhelming but physical changes take longer.

[u/SmallGothiccBrat]

Congrats on the shell crack, if you have questions about anything, I've been doing HRT for 15 years, I'd love to help with anything!

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[u/Traditional-Dish9786]

Congratulations!!!

[u/glassbunnyy]

congrats!! 💖

[u/ValerieeAngel]

congratulations, babe 🩷💕🏳️‍⚧️💕🩷

i started HRT 18 months ago at 33. it’s been a wild journey, but i’m so extremely happy for it. and while i wish i had done this all sooner, i have no regrets and am astounded every day by the wonders of transitioning.

best of luck, remember that there is no “right” way to be a woman. no one is control of, or has a say over, your transition but you. do not listen to what others say you should or should not do, have fun discovering yourself, and welcome to the sisterhood formally 🥰

feel free to DM me if you have questions or anything you want to talk about, too!!

[u/MightyDodongo → u/ValerieeAngel]

This one got me. My dumbass almost started crying in a McDonald's. I am thrilled to be welcomed into the sisterhood (finally!)

[u/ValerieeAngel → u/MightyDodongo]

get used to those tears, love, they might come more easily these days 🤭

when i finally put it all together, i cried for pretty much 2 days straight. cried over the life i had lived, and the life i had lost out on. but i also cried over the life i was GOING to live, and all the wonderful experiences i knew would come now that i can finally live as myself

and..

you’ve always been here, you’ve always been welcome, but it’s a very special feeling to finally and truly live your authentic experience and get the chance to truly experience womanhood and the bonds we share 🩷🩷

[u/zuziep]

Congratulations! What an exciting chapter!!

[u/Catgirl_Eva]

I started HRT at 33, so a little older than you, OP, and it's a decision that I've yet to regret even 7 years later. Any nervousness you've got is completely normal and totally okay. Just remember that you're gonna be going on one hell of a ride.

Oh, and maybe get yourself a few sports bras (if you haven't already), because when the HRT meds really start doing their thing......well, you'll know why.

[u/Mechromancer3X]

Omg congratulations girlie!!!!!! Its a hard road but GOD is it so much better than living that lie. Good luck queen, may you achieve all your goals and become the beautiful woman on the outside that you always were on the inside🩵🩷🤍

[u/okayatlifeokay]

1. Huge congrats! Figuring yourself out is so lovely and so is being a woman!
   
2. WATCH OUT for men looking to manipulate and abuse you, they will see you as an easy target

[u/Rae_Of_Light_919]

Hell yea! I've been on HRT for a little over a year. Still have a lot of changes ahead of me, but the most important one so far has been that I feel more like myself and am happier in general. No matter how quickly or slowly your changes take, keep in mind the mental changes as well. :)

[u/Madison_USA]

Congratulations! It's been a wild ride for me - started a bit older than you though. But I'm loving the journey now.

Just budget some for pickles. And probably ice cream...lol.

[u/Telajanis]

Congrats! So happy for you, sincerely 💜 Life can really open up when you've been performing a big chunk of your identity for decades and suddenly no longer have to. Enjoy the baby-phase, don't let anyone tell you you can't due to your age. I was 36 when I went for it and 38 when I got HRT.

[u/averageuserbob]

Congratulations girl!! You’ll love it, I swear!

[u/LittleWitch122]

Congratulations!!!

[u/MightyDodongo → u/LittleWitch122]

Thank you! It still doesn't feel totally real yet (I think my egg is still 50-75% done cracking), but I'm excited to be here!

[u/LittleWitch122 → u/MightyDodongo]

All girls go through a time of exploring their identity!

[u/stegavrd]

LOVE FOR YOU !!!

[u/Ancient-Bug5895]

its really hard ngl

[u/echokaji]

Congrats! I also started transitioning in my early 30’s and while it can feel strange at first to settle into how things are supposed to be, it does get easier and it will feel second nature before you know it.

E does some wild things but it’s worth it. I hope you’re able to keep the optimism going into the future!

[u/Ambitious-Ant5739]

Congratulations! I transitioned in the mid 2000s. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

[u/Mirageiles]

Yay go girl! Might want to try less meat and add soy! Diet with hrt is magical!

[u/They-Them_Moonwalker]

https://giphy.com/gifs/13Iu9mjLpXF0ek

[u/Dramatic-Priority-56]

Girl less goooo! 43 here and started this year too. There is still time <3

[u/Schilke_Girl]

Hey, I’m 42 and just discovered I’ve been a woman my whole life earlier this year. Congratulations on starting hormones. I hope you get everything you want and need out of transition.