Guilt and shame seem to be part of the baggage that so many crossdressers carry -- the inevitable result of a lifetime spent dealing with the fear of discovery and the burden of being "different" in a society that demands conformity.
My question is for those of you who have been sucessful in overcoming those guilt feelings, or who are currently working on overcoming them. What do you think has helped you the most in your quest for self-acceptance? What would say to others who are still struggling with this?
I have talked with a number of crossdressers who seem to be very much at peace with who they are and what they do. This is truly inspiring for me to see. It has made me wonder whether their stories might have a common theme. For example, have they simply gotten older and more comfortable in their own skin? Were they helped by contact with others and the realization that they were not alone? How many received formal counseling from a therapist? Has the support of an accepting partner made any difference?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences.