I'm in the early process of accepting my gender and planning a transition. I've found that it's actually so overwhelming that it started making me so anxious and sick to my stomach. I've distracted myself for so long from addressing my real feelings, and I'm finding that I'm retreating back to that with maladaptive daydreaming and focusing on other people more than myself. Anyone else experience this or am I alone?
Yes I do know what you mean. I've spend the longest time questioning my gender, but then more or less immediately dismissing it from my mind. I didn't understand, still don't fully. But like you I've dedicated myself to looking after the people I care about in my life and as rewarding as that is, I'm left feeling like I'm missing out.
I'm still new in this journey and by no means Claim to be an expert, but life's to short to live miserably, life's to short to live in the shadows everyday of your life. Although this journey is necessary it is scary, it is bit overwhelming at times of I think about it tooo much. I try to employ the 'don't think, just do' approach. It helps to an extent, but I also try to be mindful of the impact that it'll have. But thinking too much is a recipe for driving yourself nuts, lol.
"Don't think, just do, and be you" *big pink hugs*
Amelia
Liam:
While I have no specific experience with your situation, it is the kind of thing that a therapist can help with. Our minds often drift away from considering difficult, painful things. It is a way in which the mind tries to lower the stress levels. However, a good therapist with experience in gender issues will help keep your focus on things that you need to think about...
<p style="text-align: left;">Hi Amelia,a beautiful reply to a difficult time in one's life. Your words are exactly what I would have wanted to read,luv to you darlin from Maxine</p>
Thank you for this thoughtful response, Amelia. This is a hard journey for all of us, but you're totally right. Life is too short to only think and not act! Sending hugs to you as well. 😊
Very true, DeeAnn. I have a session with my therapist tomorrow, which I hope will be helpful. It's kind of weird because I'm a therapist myself, so I'm often on the listening end, but then when it comes time for me to talk to my therapist, it's so hard to find the words for what I'm feeling! But you're totally right.
Hi, liam. I have been in a similar situatin with that stuck thinking, the connected feelings abd anxiety, etc., as well as being a therapist. I spoke with my therapist on my first visit about being a therapist and just took a deep breath and told her that i was worried that it would be a barrier. After about half the session, I found my comfort level with her. I encourage you to do something similar.  Switching roles is kind of intimidating, a much milder concern than changing genders, but intimidating just the same.
That first convo with her helped me learn to open up more, as well as that resolving those concerns is really easier than our mind thinks it will be. I wish you success, strength and peace in your adventure.  Be confident and stay you beautiful self.
Carly
It means a lot to hear this, Carly. I often have a lot of inner conflict about what it would mean to transition while being a therapist, but that's a whole other thing. I love my job, but the setting that I work in (women's recovery center) might make it difficult to do that social transition to male. Glad to hear that others have had similar experiences and that I'm not alone!
