rediscovering myself

[kimmijay]

As long as I can remember I always enjoyed dressing in every aspect. However as I got older I grew away from it. I joined the Air Force and as you can imagine that put a damper on it real quick. After that I just tried to hide it deep down never letting anyone come close to knowing. Although from time to time I couldn't hold back the longing to dress. Now I am 30 and at a point in my life where I am tired of hiding who I truly am or feel. I was hoping that everyone could give me some advice and support. Thank you all in advance. Kimmi

[Suzie Petersen]

Hi Kimmi,

Many here have the same story to tell of course. Years of suppressing the feelings and desires and then a moment where it just becomes too much and something has to change. As we get older, we also get more confident and less concerned about what others might think, so it becomes a little easier to do things that are different from the norm.

As for advise and support ... it is not wrong to have these feelings and you should do what makes you happy! At 30 you still have plenty of youth in you and lots of years ahead.
If you are in a relationship, there is a ton of advise already written on how to share it including reasons to share and not to share etc.

As for practical stuff, if you have more specific questions on some topic, I'm sure someone here can help guide you!

Hugs
Suzie

[Beverley Sims]

if you are still in the services, stay in stealth mode.

Only do it when you are away on leave.

[Victoria Demeanor]

Hey Kim,
Lucky you, rediscovering yourself at 30, My story is very similar, but it took me till 55 to figure it out. Support...You got it. It's no dirty little secret, It is just a part of who you are. Have fun with it and when you stop suppressing it, you'll feel so much better. Advice, um, well, listen to everyone else here, they know more then I do.....
OK Kimmi start reading the threads here and you'll see you are not alone.
Victoria D ;)

[Amber_Lynn86]

Hi kimmi. I'm 29 and am having the same feelings as you. Like you said I'm tired of hiding who I am. I don't care what anyone says or thinks of me anymore.

[cheryl reeves]

it took me til i was 35 to finally say enough is enough,to make a long story short we burned down the closet and i been free since

[Nikkilovesdresses]

Hi Kimmi and welcome,

Look at Isha's threads- she's ex-Canadian military and very active in promoting LGBT rights for active service personnel.

Good luck to you- we all understand how you feel.

Hugs, Nikki

[Dana3]

Retired Military ~ United States Marine Corps. I too tried to suppress ~ denial while I was in. Married at time to the XHEX with small children. XHEX defiantly non-supportive, might as well been from another planet.

Had I to do it all over again? I would never have gotten married, until I found someone who was not only supportive, but encouraging, even enthusiastic about it. Meanwhile I would kept it from around the "Flagpole" ~ my professional life, bought some extra large suit cases and such, rented a storage off base. And when the need arouse, go to another city away from the base, and rent a motel room, and found a friendly environment and people of like mindedness ~ "My Tribe" ~ "My People" if you would.

[kimmijay]

Thank you all so much!!! It truly means the world and I will for sure and have been reading the threads. It is what even gave me the confidence to reach out. I live in a small town in eastern Kentucky so as you can imagine there isn't much support for people like us. I welcome any and all advice. I just really need to feel like I'm not alone anymore. It literally took me a week of visiting this site before I even got the courage to post this and you all have been great.

[Petra222]

Hi Kimmi, I'm ex military myself, at least you've started to rediscover yourself at 30, ii wish I did rather than wait till I was over 50.
Just remember to enjoy life and keep expiriencing new things, and keep smiling.

[Pat]

There's a thread around here asking who was in the military -- it's pretty got a pretty large number of replies. I've always suspected that a large number of the "warrior poets" had more to their story than just writing verse and taking names. ;) These days the US military is loosening up on Transgender troops (OK, they don't yet know that not all TGs are TS, but they'll learn.) And you found yourself at 30! :facepalm: You're just a kid! Best of luck -- you have the potential for a long, happy future.

[Kandi Robbins]

Kimmi,

First off, thank you for your service!

All I can say is just keep checking in here, reading things that interest you. You will then start to feel part of this community, which will help you better accept your feelings. You are certainly not alone, all the girls here will offer some great advice.

Kandi

[reb.femme]

Hi Kimmi,

I was an RAF Aircraft Tech for 12 years but during my time, weirdos like me would have been shunned or most probably jailed (80s - 90s). Things have changed there now, but I still think it's a light best kept hidden in the military.

I was late in discovering my true self like so many here. You on the other hand, have many years left of looking fantastic in some gorgeous clothing, hopefully with your own hair too :heehee:. Something that is denied to me now, ...but that's life.

Rebecca