Does getting older give you more nerve

[Mollyanne]

It appears that the older I get (I am well past 65) the nervier I am becoming. I only dressed when the wife went to work or went shopping or out with her girlfriends for lunch. But now I am getting up early in the morning (earlier then I have to) and getting fully dressed with the exception of make-up and/or wig. Is anyone else experiencing the same thing?????? I also am aware that I am "pushing the envelope.

Mollyanne

[Raychel]

Same here as I get older the more Time I find for Raychel.
Not sure it is more nerve, just caring less what people think or say.
This is me, my house, deal with it. :2c:

[sara66]

I am only 50, I do not have more time but I find my self not caring what most people think. I still am not ready for people who are close to me to know.
Sara

[Rachel05]

I think for me the older I get the more comfortable I became with who I am, I am happy to call myself a crossdresser and that certainly wasn't the case for me when I was much younger, therefore I get so much more pleasure from being dressed now than I used to do and therefore I want more time feeling that way, I don't haver to deal with the guilt anymore, I don't hide my things anymore, I dress when I want to

As Raychel said this is me, when I was younger the nerves of getting caught would near on kill me

[Linda E. Woodworth]

I agree, I find myself dressing more the older I get and the more effort I put into my presentation.

I also find that I am chafing at the bit more to get out and do things. I repeatedly feel like I'm all dressed up with no where to go!

[Mollyanne]

Hi Linda, I can definitely relate to the "all dressed up and no where to go" phrase.

Molly

[MissTee]

I seemed to have "peaked" in my early 50's. Been comfortable with who I am and where I am since then. Dressing happens, and I focus on other things in my life. I must say though that this is because I have the luxury of dressing when I want and as I want, and my wife knows and supports. Don't go out dressed and don't want to. I prefer to stay in my great big closet and it's enough for me.

[Chrissy52]

I have notice my attitude changed it around 60. It started with pedicures added polish now have my nails done with acrylic there longer and I keep a clear pink or other color all the time. I am almost to the point if I like it I am going to wear it and not care what the rest of the world thinks other than my toddler grandchildren. I believe as we age we care less and less what other people think about what we ware and what others think of it. Time is short enjoy Life be your self and revel in the time you have.

[docrobbysherry]

I'm not any nervier at age 73. But, I give a s--- less about what others think. Most r young but I'm running out of time! And, Sherry's only 18. Still so many women to immitate and photo stories for Sherry to star in!:battingeyelashes:

She and I've been out enuff the last 7 years to last 2 lifetimes. But, I ain't done yet!:devil:

[carhill2mn]

Perhaps, one gets "nervier". Or, maybe it is that we no longer care quite so much about what people might think. Also, if you are no longer employed you do not need to worry about possibly losing your job. As usual, there are probably multiple reasons.

[Jenny22]

I agree, I find myself dressing more the older I get and the more effort I put into my presentation.

I also find that I am chafing at the bit more to get out and do things. I repeatedly feel like I'm all dressed up with no where to go!

What Linda said, exactly!

[Dana44]

I also put more effort in and I don't know if I have more nerve or don't give a crap attitude. But as I age it is more there.

[CynthiaD]

Yes, definitely. The older you get, the less you care about what other people think of you. These days I spend most of my days fully en femme. Most days I wouldn't even consider wearing male clothing. And I've found that I don't really care who knows about it. I no longer change clothes for visitors. My house, my rules. There are people out there in the plain vanilla world who know both my male and female presentation, and who realize that that they are the same person. They don't care, and neither do I.

[Lee Andrews]

The older you get, the stronger your " I don't give a crap" gets.

[jacques]

Hi,
I am certainly becoming less inhibited ... is it because as the years start to run out that I want to try everything or is that I start to realize that I am less scared of other peoples' opinions?
luv J

[Ressie]

As one ages one forgets what they are wearing? I wear things around the house that I wouldn't want my neighbors to see, but then I step out without thinking! I guess I have more nerve about dressing at home but I still need to be careful about what the neighbors see.

[alwayshave]

Admittedly, I care what some people think and don't care what others think. After age fifty, I cared a lot less. The night-time concierge and doorman in my building know, I assume other staff knows because of it. I don't care. However, I don't want my octogenarian parents, my business partners or my buds that I drink and watch football with to know.

[TrishaLake]

I think so, I just care less, so I have more nerve ...

[marlacd]

I always had a nasty independant streak in me to begin with. Don't like what I am or do? Write when you find work and don't let the door hit you in the ___ on your way out. Until something comes along that makes me want to go out dressed, I can keep it within my walls.

[Teresa]

Mollyanne,
I think there are many reasons why we get bolder , I won't say care less, I'm out to my family now but I still consider what they think. I won't say I blame the forum but the fact it opened my eyes to accepting it's for life and things had to change. Hiding in the closet and peering round curtains was becoming ridiculous , I stopped feeling guilty for something I was born with. As all this has happened in my sixties I'm finally going to enjoy the things it gives me, I finally made it out the door dressed and drive to meet others socially , I really enjoy shopping and the interaction with SAs . At times I think what do they think of someone my age doing what I'm doing but it just doesn't appear to bother them .
As for pushing the envelope if that what it means to satisfy my needs, yes sometimes I do, let's be realistic we know time isn't on our side, I may have been a CDer all my life but it was shrouded in shame and guilt for too many years now it's finally gone I accept myself and feel comfortable with it and do you know something the World hasn't stopped because I've finally come out !

[flatlander_48]

M:

For me, I wouldn't say that my nerve has increased as I've always been fairly nervy. But, at 67 I think what has happened is that the desire to self-edit my thoughts and actions has decreased greatly. That's where the difference is.

DeeAnn

[CatchQueen]

Definitely...for me that has indeed been the case...I've dressed all my life and as a kid/teen I was bullied for it somewhat...All that's stopped past 20-25 though. Fewer and fewer people (dare?) question me now, and I apparently care less and less too lol.

[MarinaSweden]

Yes, without any doubt.

[Elizabeth G]

It's a definite yes for me. I went shoe shopping a couple of weeks ago (in drab unfortunately) and when I got to the counter I told the SA yes these are women's shoes and yes they are for me. We then had a nice conversation about how cute the shoes were as she rang me up. I wouldn't have even considered doing this when I was younger.

[CatchQueen]

lol I did that once with a bathing suit years ago. The elderly woman selling it was out of her way helpful...still wonder what she thought of me lol...

[SamanthaSometimes]

Yes, I definitely care less if people think bad about me when fully dressed or androgynous which has initiated positive and enjoyable conversations with strangers I would not have had otherwise.

[Stephanie Lynne]

I have grown to care less what other people think. I go out when I can dressed and don't worry so much.

[Eryn]

I've come to the conclusion that I have a finite amount of time left to enjoy the life I make for myself. I wasted 30+ years catering to my unfounded fears and I'm not going to continue that mistake.

[Kate Simmons]

I'm not sure if it's more nerve per se or just a "don't really care" attitude. Face it at my age (69) who do I have to impress anyway? Besides when we are this age we are expected to act somewhat quirky, no? :battingeyelashes::)

[kendracd]

I think now that I am older I too have adopted the "i just don"t care" attitude when I was younger, lol no way would I be caught dead wearing a dress but now I figure what the hec, I like it do it.

[Martha G]

As I get older, the urge gets stronger. Thus the worry about what others thinks tend to fade away.

Since my late 50's I have really enjoyed dressing as a woman.

I'm 73, why not enjoy it more as my time runs out.

If I could, I would dress and act like a woman 24/7.

[binair10]

When I was younger I was very, very shy. I would blush at the slightest thing. But now, when dressed I have got the nerve to go out and interact with anyone female or male.

Julie.

[wanda66]

Now days i seem to care less what most people think and definitely pushed the envelope

[DonnaP]

I guess Mollyanne I would have to agree. I am also north of 65 and find myself trying more things and wanting to dress more and more although right now my wife does not know and I am trying to keep it that I seem to be making more and more mistakes like borrowing some of her jewelry and not putting it back in same place. Before I only used my own but I love some of hers.

[prettytoes]

I also get up very early to enjoy "my time". I sip at my coffee while watching the early morning news before my 5 mile bike ride. Usually, I'm collecting my thoughts and getting ready to attack the day ahead while wearing a short skirt and cami top or similar. I have also become more and more open.
I now ride my bike wearing capris, and I always have a sports bra on under my shirt. I went on a Caribbean vacation this spring and got a pedi just before the trip. I had a dive flag on one big toe, and a shark design on the other. All the other toes were shiny clear polish. Nobody said a word, other than a few locals giving me funny looks. My legs and underarms are silky smooth all the time.

[Barbara Jo]

I think three things are at play here.

1) As one gets older, we tend to no longer be concerned about what others might think of us, regardless if you are CD or not.

2) Studies have shown the as we get older (like in 60+ years old) as long as you are in reasonably good health we tend to get happier... contrary to popular thinking.

3) If you are CD, as you get older, you get the feeling that it''s "now or never" and embrace the CD side of your life as never before. :)

[Sarah Doepner]

I'm approaching 67 this summer and I'm doing more and more things dressed than ever before.

I still care what others think, but I've finally decided that it's time for me to consider my own needs and give them priority. I'm running out of patience for the lame excuses I've always told myself. During this time I've built a wealth of CD skills in makeup, style and presentation that have all added to my level of comfort and confidence. Also, over the years I've made a bunch of small steps as I've moved more and more out and each time there has been no negative consequence. I don't know that I have more nerve but I do have a wealth of experience that tells me most of what I'm doing can be done without unrealistic concerns over my safety or the potential loss of love from important people in my life.

So do I have more nerve now? I don't think so, I just decided to pay attention to the lessons I've learned.

[kymmieLorain]

For me It seems like the older I get the more I don't give a Rats backside what people think.

Kymmie

[Piora]

I just turned 65 and while I do dress a lot more than I used to, I'm closeted, so 'nerve' really doesn't factor into it. In fact, I STILL can't shop for skirts and dresses in person - I'm far more self-conscious now, even than I used to be, in my 30s.

[Deliah]

I think that it is absolutely true that wisdom comes with age. I can think of lots of things in my life that I could have done better if I knew then what I know now. Dressing is one of those things. With wisdom comes confidence in your decisions.

[Lisa85]

If you are CD, as you get older, you get the feeling that it''s "now or never" and embrace the CD side of your life as never before. :)

And with two sides to the person, it's easier to enjoy each day

[Jackie7]

I just turned 70 and for the past year I've enjoyed watching my "dont give a crap" meter rise toward 100%. But at the same time, I find I no longer give a crap for explaining to the muggles no matter how friendly they are, and I find myself increasingly resistant to the role of explaining, justifying, educating, anything to anybody.

[NancySue]

Absolutely !!! I've served in the armed forces of the U.S. and have had some close calls. I'm out now and totally subscribe to the philosophy...WGAS....Who Gives a Sh*t? Our love of feminine life is here to stay...enjoy life...I do (smile)

[Alice Torn]

I am 62 now, and last year i went out in public 7 times, a record for me! With my gray wig, I do try to look my age, and that helps. But, at six foor six barefoot, and a nervous a bit paranoid anyway, I still deal with the butterflies everytime, and some fears. The tortured life with my control freak older brothers, and how they condemn gays, dressers, TS, and effeminate men, has not been a help, either.

- - - Updated - - -

Nancy Sue, Yes, and us military vets have served and more than earned our right to go out dressed nicely as women.

[Janine cd]

Yes, as I grow older I no longer fear the possibility of being shamed or humiliated about my crossdressing. I am totally comfortable shopping for feminine things while dressed in my male attire. I buy cosmetics,toiletries, perfume and lingerie without a flinch.

[Stephanie47]

As a retiree of eight plus years I do not have to be concerned with any adverse consequences of being 'outed' at work. My wife still works when she wants to, and, that is a full day, so I do get my femme time. It would be nice to be more open about it, but, that's going to happen soon.

[Lacy PJs]

Perhaps as we get older, the things that can go wrong become fewer and farther between. I no longer have a career to worry about so that whole "obstacle" has gone away. And I now have more time to do lots of things that I was previously too busy to do... including dressing But still, like others have responded, there are still people who I'd rather keep out of my closet.

Lacy PJs