bummer

[Lisa85]

CD used to provide stress relief, but now it's too much an alternative normal.

What do you do when CD no longer is stress relief?

[dolovewell]

I am on my 2nd wave of crossdressing. My first go round lasted about 4 months a couple years ago. I dressed way too much and burned myself out.

I limit myself to dressing up only twice a week so I pace myself and not overwhelm myself.

[EABrown]

Is it causing stress now? I can only speak from my own experience. My dressingalways felt right. Maybe you should dress less and see if that helps. Em

[Lorileah]

You used it as stress relief? For that sole purpose? I guess there is always running and jigsaw puzzles

[Teresa]

Lisa,
I don't think you can expect CDing to be stress free.
Yes most of know the feeling of some part of it having a calming effect, sometimes it's just the touch of lipstick or a tiny drop of perfume, it may satisfy that part of the brain but other parts enjoy the whole thing or the want or need to go further. That's where your stress is coming from, as you push more you want to get better at it or want nicer or sexier clothes. Then it hits you that you may have a need to go out and share it with others so the stress levels go right up, it's a whole different ball game walking out the door.

Like I said it can never be stress free, you may want all this but are struggling in a DADT situation or you begin to worry about going down the TS road.
I'm bi-gender and have lived with the need or gut feeling everyday for over fifty years, so I know you float between stressful situations to euphoria , I am achieving a balance now but there are still good days and bad .

[RADER]

I find that under dressing is a easy way to relieve stress with out
dressing all the way. You look like a male, but feel like a Woman
underneath. I find it makes my day go easer.
Rader

[Pat]

What do you do when CD no longer is stress relief?

Stop. (Was this a trick question?)

Crossdressing is something you should do because it makes you happy. If it doesn't make you happy, don't do it. It will be back.

[Judy-Somthing]

I'm deep in the closet and for years I've felt the need to dress at least one a month.
Now that my children are all grown up and have moved out I don't know their schedules.
Sometimes they just show up out of the Blue and they still have keys.

The last time I dressed a few weeks ago was nerve racking, every time a car drove by I had to peek out the window.

[Maria 60]

You do make a point that I can relate to, I'm a casual closeted crossdresser. But when I do stress more I do dress more and when I get that escape from my male body and start to come down, thing go back to casual dressing again.
The difference is I don't track it or monator it, I just let nature take its part and do whatever it take to get threw this silly life.

[CONSUELO]

I certainly found that if my desire to be the transvestite that I am was blocked that would lead to a build up of frustration and stress. So in that sense cross dressing can relieve stress but for me it was always more than that. I do it because it is a deep part of me and my identity. I love feeling feminine.

[Lana Mae]

If it is not relieving your stress anymore, you will have to find something that does! If it is an alternative normal, go for it and dress as much as you can, but you will have to find other stress relieving activities. Like Lorileah suggested running or jigsaw puzzles for instance. Best wishes going forward! Hugs Lana Mae

[sometimes_miss]

I used to go out for long rides on the highways at night. No or very little traffic, just play some jazz (I like Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones big bands, or more modern, Bonafide, Kim Waters, Fatburger, Lee Ritenour, Jim Brickman), and a couple of hours later, I felt just fine. Of course, this only applies if you like to drive. I believe it has something to do with the lack of visual stimuli, as all that's left is the lines on the highway and the other vehicles, because the dark has replaced everything else.

[Krisi]

You need to figure out what is causing you stress and deal with it directly.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Lisa:hugs:, I think that you need to get rid of the stress and just enjoy your dress-up time...:daydreaming:...

[IleneD]

When CD is no longer stress relief?!
That means one thing.
You need to buy a new dress, dear. Go forth and treat yourself to a makeover.
Love

[Stephanie47]

As Judy related (#8) wearing women's clothing can be stressful in itself if you have to look over your shoulder all the time. There's a difference between why one has a desire to wear women's clothing and what wearing women's clothing does for the person. I gave up a long time ago trying to diagnosis the "why." I do have some conjectures, but, I do not rack my brain out about it. Wearing women's clothing does reduce stress generated by other factors unrelated to wearing women's clothing. I know trying to grab some "crumbs of time" so one can wear an outfit or do makeup can be a stress generator. I read those posts all the time on this forum. And, I experienced that type of stress decades ago. Lorileah may be joking, but, there is a lot of good advice in her comment. Find some other activity to reduce stress. Get a hobby. Read a book. I know for those who have wives at home all the time especially with young kids, it can be nerve racking not to be able to express oneself. Yes, wearing women's clothing can become self defeating for its original purpose.