'Normal' progress?

[Krista1985]

So it's been about a year and a half since I started dressing,

And in my limited experience, I've made a couple of observations.

Dressing itself seems to be an auto-catalytic process. A few inputs lead to self replicating outputs. Indeed, the more I nurture the girl within, the more demanding she gets.

I began humbly at age 23 with the idea that all I required were a few 'accessories.' The day I 'discovered' breast forms, something inside me screamed out, "I need those." So I got a pair, a bra, padded panties and two outfits. One heck of a shopping debut if I do say so myself.

I figured that would be enough to satisfy the urge to outwardly express femininity. Done deal, right? Wrong. As time went on, I found myself wanting more and more.

Accepting crossdressing into your life seems to be like driving on a one way street. Once you turn onto the street, there is no reversing course. Sure, a person driving on that road can park for a while, but the only other choice is to forge on ahead.

So after I purchased the bare minimum, my femme starter kit, I parked for a long while. But the desire to take it further grew and grew. In March it began to boil over, and I found my humble collection increasing in size. The partial dressing I began with progressed into the whole shabang.

It wasn't as gradual of a process as I had initially anticipated. After few shopping expeditions, I found myself in possession of wigs, dresses, skirts, leggings of all descriptions, shoes, blouses and of course lingerie. The only item that is absent from my present collection is make-up... the final frontier. And if the exponential increase in speed continues I will have some soon.

I have been resisting the temptation to begin feminine grooming, namely hair removal. I envision myself giving in when the weather takes a turn for the cooler, and I mothball my shorts for the winter. I do pluck my eyebrows already, but I have been doing that since long before I ever even thought of dressing. If I didn't do that, I'd have one big uni-brow instead of two average sized ones. Shaping my brows is another story, I haven't attempted that yet.

In the beginning, I never envisioned that I would go so far with this new and exciting interest. If you told me as recently as two years ago this was in my future, I'd have said no way, not me. But it makes me happy, and I'm thankful for the self knowledge and peace of mind dressing provides.

I'm sure there will come a time when I feel the need to go out dressed, even though it's the furthest thing from my mind at present. For now, it's all done in private. Still, I have to admit when I first started I was puzzled when people described the need to go out en femme. Now I think I understand. It's amazing how fast one thing can lead to another.

I can't help but wonder if this was the way it happened for others, particularly those in the 'late bloomer' crowd like myself. How about it, girls, can anyone relate? Thanks for reading my longwinded post.

[carhill2mn]

Age 25 is not really a "late bloomer" although many of us started dressing before puberty.
One never knows how "fast" anyone will "progress" as you stated. Some never dress fully while others do so almost right away. One word of caution though - go slowly in changing your outward physical appearance. Gradual changes are rarely noticed.
CD is fun!

[suchacutie]

Five years ago Tina did not exist...at least we didn't understand that she existed. The day my wife and I discovered her the world turned upside down. Suddenly we were aware that the entity we now call Tina was there all the time. We made a concious decision to find out who she is, and to give what time we can to living out this "adventure".

Just as you pointed out, one thing leads to another and although life is a bit full so we haven't given her the time we would like to, she is already blossoming into a life of her own. The whole point is that this femininity is a part of us and it really isn't possible to deny who we are forever. Eventually we will want to know who we are...and specifically who 'she' is.

I think that's the driving force...a true understanding of this part of us that means so much to our lives.

tina

[Pattie O]

I have CD'd most of my life but up until the last 2 years it has been mainly sporadic and limited to mostly private times.However ,now I am feeling more inclined to go out dressed - at least a few times a year would be nice just to express my femininity.Yes I have found the same increase in my wardrobe and this time I am determined not to purge because I know that I'm a lifer!So the last 12 months I am trying to accept myself more and more but would dearly love some more acceptance at home.
Pattie:daydreaming::battingeyelashes::heehee:

[GirlieAmanda]

I started when I was 13 with pantyhose a leotard and some water balloons. Then at 20 I got my first wig and it changed my life and Amanda was truly born with my first picture which was lost in the first "great purge" as I call them. Later I continued as I dated my wife and began my girl empire with some breast forms. When they came as a package from the Sears catalog and I opened them and tried them on I thought my body was going to explode with pleasure. That was another milestone. Then marriage and the second great purge. (cry) Then another build up until the secret got out to my wife. Third purge. Followed by a slow build to where I am now... a new rebirth of Amanda. That is my progression. I am as comfortable as I ever have been. I wish I was your age could do it again but better. I would have been Amanda as much as possible.:battingeyelashes:Enjoy being your girl self as much as possible. Time goes fast!

[NicoleScott]

My story is similar to yours, but with a different order of adding things along the way. I started out at around age 10, already knowing I had a strong attraction and fascination (didn't know about fetishes at that age) with lipstick and high heels. I began making up and dressing completely in my twenties. Throughout the years and decades, the desire came to me to take photos, go out walking and driving, go in to stores and a club, and have an online presence, none of which occurred to me way back then.

[sterling12]

Sometimes it seems like a Roller-Coaster Ride. Those "Drops" can seem too steep, and it gets very frightening to realize how far we have advanced,

You seem to be unusual in your ability to have a "perspective," and indulge in being analytical about The Process. If you start to have mis-givings, just remember that like That Roller-Coaster, eventually you reach a point in The Track that seems to even out, and you can catch your breath. So, I always advise people to just go ahead and enjoy The Plunge.

Since you have written and thought about your next, logical, steps; I can't imagine that you wouldn't try them. To avoid those first few episodes of feeling "clown-like" with your Makeup Regime, you may want to get professional, or at least experiential advise from others. Also, a good first step in going "out" is joining a Support Group. The Transition seems to be way easier if you join A Group.

Good Luck, and God's Speed. If you can keep your head screwed on right, it's an excellent experience.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[StaceyJane]

I completly understand your story. The more you do the more you want to do.
I keep feeling the urge to push myself farther.

My adivice would be to keep moving at a pace you feel comfortable with but don't e afraid to push yourself a bit time to time.

[Vickie_CDTV]

Krista, may I ask what sparked your interest in crossdressing at a later age? It is not very common, though certainly not unheard of.

[sherri]

Krista, may I ask what sparked your interest in crossdressing at a later age? It is not very common, though certainly not unheard of.On the contrary, I think it is in fact quite common. Oh, the latent inclination might have lain dormant or germinating for years, or not, but many of us only come to it later in life, especially if we have been absorbed with the interests and demands of a conventional life, family, career, etc.

[Krista1985]

Thanks for the great responses and advice girls!

Speaking to Vicki's question:

I never thought about it growing up,

I had a run in with a bra in my mid teens, 14 or so, and I put it on for a few minutes. I did it again the next day, but that was all for years.

Right around the time I turned 20, I discovered TG transformation stories and captions on the internet. I was drawn to them but I didn't question why I liked them. Didn't all guys secretly wonder what it was like to be a woman? I thought so, and to a degree I still do. At the time it didn't occur to me that I could transform myself, but I caught on.

I'd been reading/writing tg transformation stories for a little over a year when one day I got a wild idea. Why not fill up 2 water balloons with an equal amount of water, and stuff them into one of my underarmor shirts to simulate breasts?

(For those of you that don't know, underarmor is a company that manufactures skin tight athletic wear... I figured in such a garment, the balloons would hold fast against my chest. I was right!)

So I did this quite often from then on. Until one day, searching out 'fake breasts' or something on the internet, I came across the breastform store's webpage. As soon as I saw the forms, I knew I needed to buy some. When I saw that they were a crossdressing accessory, a light went on in my brain.

I knew I had something in common with crossdressers, and although it frightened me at the time, I had to investigate. That led me here. After reading the posts and finding out that most CD's are average dudes with an interesting twist, not the weirdo's on trashy daytime talk shows and porn, I realized there was nothing to be afraid of.

So I gathered my courage, made an appointment at a TG specialty store where I could shop in private, and bought some stuff. I got home, gave it a go, and LOVED it.

So that's how, after 23+ years of not dressing, I 'became' a crossdresser. The rest, as they say, is history :)

[sissystephanie]

I guess I am different than a lot of people on this Forum. For one thing, I am older than a great many of you. I had my 78th birthday not long ago. I started as a crossdresser wearing my sisters panties at age 6. Except for a 4 year military time, and another 5 years when I delibrately quit until my wife asked me to start dressing again, I have been a CD since age 6.

But I have never had the urge to be a women completely. Yes, I have certainly looked like one! Even out in public! My dear late wife used to do my makeup and wig, and could transform me into a very passable female. But I am still a man, and have no desire to date another man. I love to crossdress, but since my wife is gone I now do it as a man in a skirt and top. With the proper underthings, of course! I have been doing it that way for 5 years now, and no one seems to care. People look at me, and sometimes compliment me on my outfit, but I never hear any negative comments. My feeling that people don't care about others, just themselves.

BTW, I started wearing a bra, on a doctor's orders, at age 9. I had 36 B's then and now have completely natural 40 B's. I wear a bra every day! Oh yes, contrary to what a lot of people think my breasts are NOT a medical problem!! At least according to several doctors who have examined them!

[Tasha McIntyre]

Well Krista, I have been dressing since age 12 or 13, but only had my first "run in" with make up and a wig less than 2 years ago. I guess that makes me a kinda late bloomer.

There is no way in the world I could have envisaged my progress from where I was a few years ago - deep in the closet, confused etc.

I like your one way street analogy too.

Cheers
Tash :)

[Kathi Lake]

Krista, one thing you will eventually realize is that you did not "become" a crossdresser by the simple act of putting on a bra. Chances are that you were long before you even knew what the desire was. Kudos to you for admitting it at what many of us consider a "young" age. I'm also glad that you realize that it is not anywhere near what the media portrays it as.

Kathi

[Nicole Erin]

people progress at different rates and find their own comfort zone.
I started full-dressing about age 23. Before that, mostly just dabbled in really minor stuff.

So lately, I am more-less full time femme.

Here is the problem once you progress to a certain point - the fun tends to fade. Each day I get prettied up for school and I hate to say but it has become a hassle. I do it cause I want to look good and it is kind of what is expected, yes I do hear about it if I go in looking like a slob.

I get home at night and gladly take off the makeup, bra, and whatever other pretty junk I wear, jump into a pair of shorts and a tee, and well, getting OUT of femme mode is what I now look forward to.