What a difference a little time makes

[PretzelGirl]

I was sitting at work today and I don't remember what triggered it, but I realized that six months ago today was "Steve's" last day at work. I completed the day, went home, and at exactly this time I removed male clothing for the last time and that was the end of it.

It has made me reflect a little on the changes and how I have settled into things. Oddly, some of my self realizations came last week at Diva Las Vegas as there was some interactions, in particular with people who mean a lot to me, that really locked me in on some thoughts. Then today I noted how I reacted on two occassions. First a new person arrived in the team I support. I introduced myself and had a thought in the back of my mind about existing coworkers telling her and then a feeling came that it probably would not happen. It might, but it showed my comfort in their acceptance. Then I saw someone that used to work at the company, left before my transition, and was just hired back on. I started to go over and say hi and then just thought that he doesn't know me any more so I will just wait and see if we meet all over again.

It is only six months and I am in the "groove". I have reached the comfort zone and others are accepting Sue for who she is and the toughest person, me, is now accepting Sue. It seems like it has been so long because I no longer react when I hear Steve or sir and other related reactions are all gone.

One interesting note is that two weeks ago I had an amusing interaction. I worked with a guy for a couple of years and pretty much regular interaction throughout the day. We both moved to different areas in the company. But I walk the halls a lot and say hi to everyone and see him at least 2-3 times a week. Well on that particular day, he calls me over. When I get there, he goes "I just wanted to let you know that I just realized who you are". Really? After 5 1/2 months? Sometimes these things are just surprising.

[Leah Lynn]

Wow! Sixmonths, already, how time flies. Sounds like the work transition has gone quite smoothly. We all should be so lucky.

Hugs,

Leah

[Jorja]

Oh my dear, wait until thirty years have passed. Then think back to that first day and all of the interactions since. It will make your knees knock together. ;)

[Karen62]

Oh, I love this, I love this, I really LOVE this!! Wonderful story, Sue. Thank you for sharing it!

Karen

[PretzelGirl]

Jorja, I can only hope I will be around long enough to look back 30 years. :bs:

Leah, I am certainly a lucky one and I won't forget it.

Karen :hugs:

[kimdl93]

I was just the other day trying to recall how long it had been since you transitioned a work. Time really does go by quickly. Your transition was seemed so smooth at work, but I suppose there were the inevitable moments where someone misspoke or reacted inappropriately. So, somewhere between month zero and month six it all settled down to a comfortable new normal. That quite encouraging. Six months is like a moment.

The larger lesson is, I suppose, that adjustment to any and every change takes time.

[GabbiSophia]

wow huge congrads Sue... I wish I could get that "tough" person to accept me like you have...

[PretzelGirl]

Just sitting around thinking about it didn't get me there. But interactions are what did. So it took until I spent more regular time with the non-trans community and that went with the time spent with the trans community. It all layered in for me. And it was very recent, so it took the whole six months. You will get there. Have faith!

[becky77]

You come across as a really nice person Sue, I wonder if that helped with your transition being smoother?

[PretzelGirl]

I don't know Becky. I think most of us like to think we are nice. I know I benefited by not being crushed by my feelings and feeling rushed. It enabled me to plan well and pace out how I worked with everyone. Everyone else would have to tell me at what level they felt they could do that. I know after a few weeks at work, no one was asking me questions. I asked a few confidants and each told me that they liked me and respected me, so they accepted me as Sue without question. It is a great feeling.

Kim, I think I have been misgendered once in the last couple of months, so it is pretty much gone and honestly I am shocked. I figured subconscious speech would make it go longer. But it does sometimes come out in other ways. A few weeks ago, one of my teams was gathered to go over the current workload. One is talking about the lady in engineering that gave him information. A few of us quizzed him because there aren't any ladies in our engineering. Then one guy goes "The closest thing we have to a lady in engineering is xxxx" and motions to a technician. I threw my pen into his chest as I am an engineer and everyone laughed. He apologized and quickly said he things of me more as management than an engineer. Either true or a quick recovery. :heehee:

[Eringirl]

Great story Sue. It is so nice to see a positive outcome at work. You worked hard to make it go this well, so good on ya! Wishing you continued success!,

Erin