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I think you or on the right track and must know by now that the more you get out the easier it will be. Find something to do before getting out of house i.e. listen to up beat music, concentrate on the music and forget about what will happen when you leave the house, be your female self. When out and about remember when appropriate to look at people when talking to them, make eye contact and of course smile. Bottom line, don't let fear rule your life (yes it's easier said than done but I have been there).

Hey Christie, it gets easier and easier the more you go out. There seems to be some confusion as to being yourself and being someone else! I had this too, but you really need to go out unconcerned, just getting on with whatever it is that you're doing, if you don't do this you won't look natural. Nothing wrong with wearing a wig, I have to (but a combination of Finasteride tabs and Decapeptyl injections are working wonders in the hair replacement dept!), and it's hell in the Summer, which keeps me moving for cooling purposes! Karen's advice is good, smiles are always helpful as well as keeping eyes wide open at the same time, but try to keep it natural, not like someone who's been startled. The clothes you wear are going to help a hell of a lot, try to dress your age, if you intend going in a leather mini skirt and thigh boots you will be instantly read as a "tranny tart" (sorry for anyone upset at my lack of political correctness). In my case I wear ankle boots with a 2-3 inch comboy boot style block heel, black trousers, a nice top and something long, e.g. a longline jacket or a knee length coat, these hide my lack of hips and also hide tucked junk to an extent. I try to keep tops long, typically down to the crotch/backside area, sometimes these are referred to as tunics, also for me sleeves are a must to hide my "bricklayer style" arms. Hair that can cover some of my broad shoulders is also helpful. But all that can be termed as "props", you just have to be as natural as you can be, so going out forgetting that you are in womens clothes etc is a good way to do this, I do do this now, but I had to go through all the unnatural nervous stuff, luckily I survived without any problems, I do remember feeling great after my first few outings. Eye contact when you are talking to someone is an absolute must, I've spoken to many and my voice is awful, but I get away with it, people believe what they see, not what they hear, unless on the phone of course. So, I've said this before a few entries ago, and here it is again; Believe in yourself, be who you really are. (that's yourself!) If you don't do this, you will soon be seen as false, or to state it in a way that most Trans people will recognise, you will be read or you won't pass!, so heed my message! Cheers, Eve x P.S. What are the O's in xoxoxo

I'm no expert either and agree with both Karen's and Charl's feedback. I'd say that I'm going through the same think as you, Crissie. I'm like the classic "chicken and egg problem": which came first, the chicken or the egg? I recall always wanting and wishing to be a girl. But I also had a very dominating and punishing mother, and an absent father, with no siblings. Perhaps one thing that threw my mother into a rage was my expressing my wish to be female? I'll never know since both are long gone. These days I'm achieving some peace by just trying to allow myself to be me. While in public I'm visible as male but sometimes wear feminine underthings. At least I have that awareness of that while I'm outside. At home I may or may not dress. I do what feels comfortable. It's hard to get this all figured out. As much as would all like to have it known and "done" right now, it doesn't happen that way. Patience with yourself is, I think very important. But that's hard to do too. emma

In regards to electrolysis on the upper lip, when mine was done they had me setup an appointment with a dentist so that I would go to the dentist, he would numb my upper lip then off to my electrolysis appointment where I usually feel asleep during a two hour session when first starting the upper lip. Personally I had heavy hairs on the upper lip from constantly shaving so when going out as a female it was pretty well hidden but sadly made those hairs heavier.