Sarah finally got out the front door tonight..I'm so happy

[SatinSarah]

17th December 2012

Well I did it. I finally stepped outside the front door as Sarah. I knew I had an evening to myself and time to dress tonight. I bought myself a coat last week. It is something those of us stuck in our own homes dream about doing and as I head towards the wrong end of my 40s after 30 years of dressing I feared I met get too old to try.

Thanks for the all the girls who gave me advice last week when I posted about my plans. I downgraded the heels to a lower pair. I am so glad I did.*

I will post photos of me just before I left tomorrow.*

All of you who do this regularly will know how excited I now feel. It was an amazing rush.*

I dressed and stepped outside my flat front door. I took a 10 minute walk around our block and past a few shops. I passed about 20 people. I neither stared or ignored them. I just held my head high and walked as though I was meant to be there. To *be honest I don't think anybody paid me much attention. I am sure I was either read by a middle aged guy or he was interested!? But nobody else seem to notice me.

I got back to the flat after my first 10 minutes with my feet killing me. I am used to tottering around the house for a couple of hours in heels but I wasn't really prepared for the walk outside. As I let myself back in the immediate thought was to do it again - but this time in a skirt instead of my leather look jeggings. I smartened up my makeup, got changed into my dress and went out this time for 20 minutes and into a slightly more populated area and along a main road. I passed so many people and of course nothing happened!*

As I grew in confidence I realised even if I was 'read' what did it matter? They didn't know who I was, I was doing no harm and at worst they would just think there is one of those TVs. London does feel a tolerant city in the right places!*

The problem is working out how quickly I can do it again. I need to work on my make-up and wig a bit more to feel even better. I think I will go to a dressing service next time to see how good I can really look. Anybody got any good recommendations for central London?

Sorry to go on for so long - but I am on cloud 9 at the moment. Thanks for all the words of encouragement.*

Sarah is out!

[kimdl93]

Glad to hear that your first steps outside proved enjoyable and without incident. It gets Better every time!

[Nichola]

Good for you, glad it went well:)

[Kelley]

Wow sounds like a great evening. Now you will find yourself thinking, why didn't I do this sooner? Looking forward to the photos

[Lorileah]

I passed so many people and of course nothing happened!*

As I grew in confidence I realised even if I was 'read' what did it matter? They didn't know who I was, I was doing no harm

but I am on cloud 9 at the moment.

That says it all. :) The best is "nothing happened". we say it over and over but it is true isn't it? The world didn't stop turning, the police didn't come around the corner with sirens blaring. Your family and neighbors didn't light torches and pound on the castle door. But you felt good about yourself. You were free. You enjoyed the moment.

Now, go get em. And I would say going to the West End Theater District would be a good choice (but then again I don't know my way around London...I just like that area :)) Have fun!

[Janelle_C]

I'm so happy for you, and glad to hear it went so well. Can't wait to see the pics.

[Cynthia Anne]

Sarah it's going to be hard to keep you in the house from now on! Won't be long now before you are telling us about your first shopping trip! Keep going and have fun!!!!!!!!!

[GiannaD]

Feels awesome doesn't it Sarah? So happy for you!

[Bree Wagner]

All of you who do this regularly will know how excited I now feel. It was an amazing rush.*


It may change a little as you go out more, but that feeling sure is well known. It hasn't gone away for me yet. I'm glad you made it out, had a great time, and are planning for more.

Keep having fun.

-Bree

["Mary"]

Very exciting, eh ? Of course you know that there's no keeping the Genie in the bottle once she has been out. Very happy for you.

[Kaz]

Hi Sarah,

Yeah I know exactly what you mean. My biggest 'rush' experience (well, memorable at least) was driving to an overnight stop in the center of Birmingham. I had a job in a client the next day. As I got there the snow fell really big time... a few years ago. I got 'transformed' into Kaz and walked the canals and city centre as me. I took photos to remind me... not of me, but the walk. Awesome... it changed my perceptions. I walked past loads of people we clocked eyes and smiled... but it was a magical night in the snow...

So, yeah... I bet you were 'up there!' It will get better and you will also have your down times - we are here for both - and the in-betweeny times too!'

[Tara D. Rose]

I'm so glad to read your story. I can actually feel your excitement in your words. Now you will want to do this more often as the years go by. I hope to read many more of your outings. And I'm ready for the pictures. Let's have them.

Tara

[Leah Lynn]

Feels like freedom! Oh, yeah, you won't be able to stay inside now. Any excuse will do; pop down to the shops for some bread, out of tea, anything works (how well I know)!

[RenneB]

Yea... another girl has broken free.... wahoooo. You're so right 'bout the walkin thing girl... That outside, 'specially in the old sections of town with cobblestone roads and slate walks, a day or a night out in heels is down right dangerous unless you've been practicing.... Take good notes of how you feel 'cus in the not to distant future, you'll just be another girl out on the town doing errands and stuff... Time will go by so slow for now, but will speed up once the baby steps turn into walks to the store and stuff.....

Great work and thanks for sharing.....

Renne.....

[Lynn Marie]

Excellent description of wonderful event in your life. Thanks, well done.

[Ceri Anne]

Congrats Sarah, I'm so happy for you. I know I still have trepidations sometimes when I'm first heading out, but once out I enjoy is so much. So glad you had a good time and beware, your gonna want to do it all the time.

[gennee]

A great read, Sarah. I'm happy that you have overcome your fears and ventured out. Congratulations!



:yrtw:

[Alice B]

Getting out the first time is a big rush. My first time, other than walking around my balcony, was to go out and get gas. Nervous as hell, but quickly realized that no one cared ot payed any attention to me. Look forward to hearing about your next adventure outside of the closet.

[Diversity]

Congratulations Sarah! So glad you had the opportunity to do this at your own pace. Good going!
Di

[LaraPeterson]

You go ahead girl! That is so exciting. Kind of like riding the bike for the first time and not falling down--except a thousand times better. The more you work at it, the easier it'll get. Wow!

[Suzy Parker]

Good for you! :thumbup:

[SatinSarah]

Thank you everybody for your kind & encouraging words - here are a couple of photos just before I stepped out. I am still a little worried about my look... make-up in particular and know I should be able to do a much better job. I did dress to blend in - early evening central London. Lots of girls looking a lot smarter and lots looking a lot worse!

As you say now I have experienced this I can't wait to go again. I just need to create the opportunity!

(btw - i didn't wear the really high ankle boots out... just wanted the look before changing into the sensible boots!

[Beverley Sims]

Sometimes I think we should tell what goes racing through our mind when out.
I tend to suffer tunnel vision in so much as I look straight ahead and avoid eye contact in strange dark areas.
In lighted populated places, eye contact and smiling are the norm.
I wonder ith the exchange of smiles what the other person thinks.
I do make the mistake of smiling at men also. This can be awkward and I can be held up in conversation briefly.
I am glad you got the rush when going out and as for a dressing service in central London, go to a small boutique an tell them you are going dressed to a party and your fashion sense is not too good. Why didn't the girls help you? They all wanted to tease me and lead me astray, so I thought I would get expert advice, and that is why I am here. It is corny, but it lets you in the door and works every time. :)

[becky77]

Congratulations Sarah i'm so glad you had a positive experience.

As for dressing service I have never been to one, but have heard good things about this one: http://www.theboudoironline.com/index.php?refurl=%2Findex.php%3Fq%3Dindex.html&err=1
Here is a link to others: http://www.trans-mission.org/links/links_drescort.php

I wonder at what door you have just opened for yourself.

[Noel Chimes]

Welcome to the outside world Sarah. Now you know what we all had to learn that first night out, "I should have worn flats instead of these 4" heels". (LOL) Now get out there and go shopping.

[Georgina2]

Congratulations on your first outing into the outside world.Looking at your photos you have nothing to worry about.Do you have an SO or do you live alone.I have ventured out at night on a couple of occasions but only when my wife was away for a week. Not able to go out when my wife is around.Bet that now you have made that first move there will be no holding you back.Enjoy every outing, living in London you have so much choice of places to go.Keep us informed of your adventures.

xxx Georgina xxx

[HannahF6]

Lovely story and great pictures, I can see why nobody paid any attention to you, you fit in as just another woman out on the street. It does feel good to get out doesn't it.

Hannah

[Barbara Ella]

Lovely story Sarah. I am another of the gas girls for my first time out. the important thing is getting out that door. The next most important thing is getting out again.

I adore that coat. i can also see very easily why you fit right in. You are merely another girl out in the town. you have a very good look, and feminine sense, and it makes for a great look. Thanks so much for sharing. It brings back the memories of the first time, and it all feels so good still.

Barbara

["Mary"]

You must have blended in just fine. You look great in a typical kinda way (that's supposed to be a compliment). I do like the heels. Given that the rest of the outfit is modest and classy, you may have done fine with them, too. We'll just have to work them in to appropriate FUTURE outings. Thanks for sharing.

[weezah]

I know just how you feel! I just got back from my first outing also lol. Feels awesome, doesnt it? I'll post about my little adventure in a bit.

[SatinSarah]

Oh you are all so kind. Like so many of us I have always liked to dress a bit OTT at home with my outfits. I do like classy cocktail and evening wear but I realsied I would have to tone down to go outside! In fact it was a great feeling. I felt smart but feminine even in my leggings. I think I still need to do more with my wig and make-up before venturing into more shops and nigger crowds. But now I have done it and realised nobody really cares it will be easier. It's just that I want to look and feel as natural a woman as possible.

[KatieV]

Yes, it is an amazing rush, and you may find it addictive. I wouldn't worry too much about being read in London - they have a great CD scene there. Good luck on your next outing!

[Closettran]

Well done Sarah! You look lovely in the photos, and I can see that you would have blended in just fine.

You asked about a dressing service - last year I went to Adam and Eve, http://www.adamandeve121.co.uk/ and I loved it. They made me feel very welcome and at ease, and I was really pleased with the results.

Go girl!

Jxx

[toriwilliams]

the only two thing to say is congratulations and keep it up. :) tori

[Kaz]

Sarah, the pics take me right back to that Birmingham experience I mentioned. You look very natural, but I bet these heels killed! Walking outside in heels is a killer until you have been doing it every day for a few years! In the UK winter flat boots are good, or up to a 2 inch heel. My wife has not worn heels since a Halloween party when we first met! She doesn't know what she is missing!

The genie is out of the bottle, girl! Go to it!