Do you consider it to be a hobby?

[Kimberly A.]

Hey y'all! :)

Another GG friend of mine who knows I'm a CD'er asked me a while back what my hobbies are, I told her that I really don't have many..... I like doing outdoors stuff, when I have the time and at the time, I really didn't have a good answer for her. Then, she called me about a week ago when I was fully dressed and ready to head out the door. During the conversation, I said that she asked me before what my hobbies were and I told her that crossdressing is a hobby..... Yes, I consider my dressing to be a hobby. It's not something that I MUST do, really but it is something that I very much enjoy doing and I love the challenge of trying makeup, trying to improve my makeup and clothing skills and going out in full femme.

So, do any of you consider CD'ing to be a hobby? Or is it so much a part of your life that you feel you must do it and you just simply can't stop even if you wanted to? Me, I could stop CD'ing if I wanted to and I know some of you will argue that and try to tell me that no, I wouldn't be able to stop..... But trust me, I could if I wanted to, but I don't want to. ;)

[kimdl93]

I suppose I could call it that, but my need to present as a woman seems to be intricately woven into my identity.

[Kim Summers]

Definitely not a hobby here. It is something I had no choice in so I have embraced it. X

[Kimberly A.]

I understand that, Kim. I've seen a post of yours when you said that you're transgender, so of course that's part of your identity. LOL

[Lilith Moon]

For me it is more than a hobby. I've been doing it from the age of 7.

It is a strong emotional need but not to the extent of actually changing my body...at this time.

[Micki_Finn]

It’s more than a hobby for me. I’d say a more accurate description is it’s a “passion”. I don’t do it “professionally” or “full time”, but it’s still a defining part of who I am.

[Sometimes Steffi]

I didn't have a hard time quitting golfing, skiing, or ice skating when the became inconvenient to family life, but crossdressing keeps getting stronger and stronger.

Way back, whenever I went to Sears, I would immediately go to the tools section to see if there was anything that I needed or wanted. I used to go to Sears quite often until all the ones near me closed, but I can't remember the last time I've been in the tool department. I always head over to the ladies department or lingerie. The last thing I bought in Sears was yoga pants.

No, it's not just a hobby.

[Danielle_cder]

Yea pretty much a hobby for me :)

[Fran Moore]

Hmmm, I would have to say it goes a bit deeper than that for me. Hobby as defined is: "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure", so while that IS true, I would dress and live full time if my situation allowed for it, and the older I get the more I feel that way~

[adelinapa]

I don't think it's just a hobby for me, it's more like, a yearning. The learning the new makeup techniques and all that I'd call a hobby but the overall feeling like it's something I need to do ... not so much.

[Stephanie47]

Definitely not a hobby. I do have life long hobbies. I have a collection of stamps. I've had an interest in collecting stamps since I mailed in 25 cents for a packet of stamps when I was a single digit kid. That's on the back burner. I took up military model building. I have about 70+ models to build, but, again on the back burner. It does not drive me nuts not to build or collect these things. On the other hand the draw to wear women's clothing is stronger. Maybe, getting stronger because of further limitations due to COVID. I don't know what motivated me to start wearing women's clothing when I was an early teenager. It does not make sense to choose a hobby that has produced so much angst over the years.

Kimberly, I wish you well on your journey. Tell us how it works out when you go on to marriage and having kids. It will not be as simple as collecting stamps or coins.

[bridget thronton]

cross dressing is part of my being and not a hobby - but I keep thinking I might enjoy doing history reenactment as a female as a hobby

[Sometimes Steffi]

It does not make sense to choose a hobby that has produced so much angst over the years.

I guess you've never played golf, LOL.

[Teresa]

Kimberly,
I've finally come to accept it more of a hobby to some people , the first time I read the comment from a member I was annoyed and upset . In my circumstances the situation became so bad with my wife I nearly ended my life , aside from that also consider the pain , suffering and heartache some members go through in trying to come to terms with being a CDer or TG , hobbies do not affect a person's life in such a profound way .

Some people may think it's OK for it to be a hobby but I certainly would insult my wife and family by brushing it off as such .

I'm now living alone as Teresa after 40 + years of marriage and raising two kids and now with three grandchildren , I'm lucky to have their acceptance , none of this may not have happened if it was purely a hobby but if it was I wouldn't have done it and risked losing so much.

I will ask you take care not overdoing the hobby label , it could be very upsetting to some people .

[Jenny22]

Hobby? no! I'm TG. I dress 24/7 because I have to!

[Visitor]

Honestly, crossdressing would certainly be the most bizarre of potential hobbies. It is a rare man who decides out of the blue that he'd like to wear a woman's undergarments. As people tell their stories we hear over and over again about some life event that brought us to these behaviors. Given how much shame men here have experienced along the way, how much fear of the behavior being discovered, I'd say we do this out of a great need... whatever that may be for each of us. There are doubtless psychological roots to this and I imagine on very rare occasions genetic roots. I'll accept the comfort I feel when I'm wearing a brassiere and I'll certainly enjoy shopping for this or other pieces of lingerie... but having a non-shaming and even playful relationship to this desire doesn't make it a hobby. It goes much deeper than that.

[Robertacd]

I used to call my crossdressing a hobby when I was in denial.

I wasn't sure what else to call it without admitting to myself I was TG.

[JennniferMcC]

Interesting thread. There are several aspects where one could easily see it as a hobby, especially someone from the outside looking in. It's something we enjoy peridically that relaxes us and de-stresses us. Sounds like a hobby. But it's fascinating to see how many of us sense it's more than that. Even during times when circumstances dictated I couldn't dress, (sometimes for years) the need and desire never once went away. And the angst and depression over repressing it just grew and grew and grew until it took me to some very dark and frankly dangerous states of mind. On the other hand, I have had several passionate hobbies that I've needed to step away from for a while. And when I thought of them the thought was "Wouldn't it be nice to do that again someday?" With dressing the thought is "I HAVE to find a way!" There is a subtle but very real difference. The hobbies are nice, the crossdressing, for whatever reason, is needed. At least for me.
-Jen

[connie johnson]

Yes. For me it is a hobby. I love the clothing and shoes but I am a man in a dress. Never do makeup or wigs. Tried them a long time ago but didn’t do anything for me.

[valerie anne]

It was until I pumped myself into a C cup!

[Bobbi46]

I never considered it a hobby as such, in my early days of discovery, yes I was in drab for some days and dressed for others. But always it was a deep seated desire to dress. Time rolled by and became more more certain in what i wanted especially after finding answers to my many questions. When i finally realised the whole enormity of it all I felt a load had been taken off my shoulders. And thus a lovely journey began.
Now of course it definately is not a hobby because dressing is now a normal everyday part of my life.

[Tracy Irving]

It isn't a job or a lifestyle for me, so it is probably a hobby.

[Christina89]

When I was younger I would say this was a hobby. I used to come home from school and just sit in anything of my mothers I could find before I bought my own stuff and then watch tv or play games. But now this is my life style. I can't live without some sense of christina in my life. She is my ying to my yang.

[KlaireLarnia]

It's not a hooby for me it's a lifestyle choice. I choose to wear what I do because I see no reason why I cannot/shouldnot and I feel totaly comfortable in women's clothes.

[SaraLin]

Is it a hobby for me? No more than breathing is.
I can stop for a while, but the pressure builds up and I have to do it again.
My (semi) DADT is like living on a mountain top. The air is thinner but I have adapted and I survive.

[Karmen]

I suppose I could call it that, because I don't do it 24/7. Or maybe not, because I wear panties and pantyhose even when dressed as a man. Confused.:doh:

[Star01]

I have never had another hobby that I had to keep hidden and overwhelmed my thoughts like this one. If this is a hobby it would be a choice but I don't really think I have any say in the matter. I would have picked something like stamp collecting because my wife probably wouldn't threaten to leave if she found a drawer full of stamps.

[Cheryl T]

Definitely not a hobby for me.
A hobby is photography, restoring cars or antiques. Maybe if I performed Drag I could consider this a hobby but it is so much more to me.
It's a part of what makes me me. I firmly believe that all the kinder, gentler aspects of my personality originate with my feminine side and I feel so connected when I express it.

[docrobbysherry]

To that degree, u mite call it my hobby.:brolleyes:

But, it's become more like a lifestyle for me!:drink::hugs:

[Kimberly A.]

That's cool, Micki..... But I thought you did do it professionally, from your posts about being a performing Drag Queen?

[Taylor186]

I am, similar to Connie above, always male even when completely dressed in women's clothing, makeup, heels, wig, et al. But, it is not a hobby for me. I've been inexplicably compelled to wear woman's clothes since the age of six.

[KymG]

I was going to say thats its a hobby, but on reflection, the urge is so strong that i suppose its a compulsion.
If thats the word.
Adiction maybe..

[JennyMay]

No, not a hobby. For many years I tried to stop dressing but always kept coming back to it. I have never had a hobby like that. It’s is a need or, perhaps even more, part of who I am. I have compared it before to my need to have dogs. Now I know that many people might call my need for dogs a hobby but it is much much deeper than that. It is about identity.

[Lana Mae]

I dress 24/7 and no, it was never a hobby! Even when I considered myself a CD, it was not a hobby but a compelling tugging if you will! I repressed it for many many years! It came flooding back like a tsunami! No not just a hobby! Way too simple of an explanation! It is who I am! Best wishes with your journey! Hugs Lana Mae

[Confucius]

Definition of Hobby: an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

Yes, crossdressing may be considered a hobby, but I would add, that it cannot be just that simple. Hobbies are conscious decisions we take up and drop. Crossdressing is not a choice and cannot be dropped. Crossdressing is sometimes considered a fetish. By definition a fetish is designed for sexual gratification. Crossdressing is often used for comfort, reduces stress, and just because it feels right.

I go with the idea of crossdressing being our identity.

[mylilsecret8]

For me, yes it is my hobby. I am content living in guy mode but do enjoy my time when I can dress up feminine. I don't look good in makeup or wig so most of the time I'm a guy who likes to wear pretty clothes.

[Chloe_S]

A hobby is something I do for fun, to just pass the time. This is not that.

[Shely]

NO, it's an obsession for me.

[rhonda]

I think it's starts as a hobby . and evolves into addiction

[sometimes_miss]

If you can quit it and replace it with another hobby, and get the same satisfaction from your 'new' hobby, then sure, it's just a hobby.
Try it. See how long you can go without any type of crossdressing, talking about it, thinking about it, or reading or writing about it. After all, there are plenty of other things to do which are cheaper and cause less problems, than crossdressing. I, for the life of me, can't imagine why anyone would choose to do this as a hobby.

[Sandi Beech]

For me, it is not a hobby at all, more like a compulsion. Even so, some components of leaning how to look more feminine take on a hobby like aspect, but the dressing itself for me is definitely not a hobby. Besides most hobbies are a little easier to get SO approval than this one.

Sandi

[Paulie Birmingham]

Yes, it's a hobby I get sexual gratification from. Or in other words - a fetish.

No confusion or conflict re gender or sexuality.

There are more people like me on this site. They just don't post much

[MsEva]

A hobby, yes I guess so. Now that I am of a certain age yes a hobby. It meant more as a younger gurl. I am happy to dress and do chores en feme.

[Elizabeth G]

Dressing is definitely not a hobby for me. I find it almost essential to my peace of mind.

[susanmichelle]

Cross dressing definitely not a hobby with
Me it?s more a desire something I have n control over because when the pink fog kicks in you just have to comply.

I do have hobbies though I build kinetic sculptures art that moves skeleton clocks that run off weight no batteries or ac current. I collect antiques, coins, jewelry, stamps, guns. My motto at one time was I?ll buy anything old except women. Thought that sounded kinda bad so changed. I have such a wide array of interest that really suit the hobby line just never put dressing into that as a Bobbie. It?s much more that that to me.

It?s just my own opinion of how I look at it . I don?t criticize others for how they thing about things we all have this in our lives and live with it the best we can. We can get along with it though I think the biggest lesson I?ve learned is being totally honest with whoever I?m with or around that knows or even doesn?t know. Just be honest I?ve gotten more respect for that reason alone than anything else.

[Frannie7]

I guess I could describe it in a number or ways. It's partly a hobby--something I do for fun. Partly a compulsion; not an addiction--I could stop if I wanted to. At one time it was a kink but not anymore. In fact, there is no guilt now but there was when I regarded it that way. I guess the best way to describe it is as an "escape" An escape from whatever pressures I have as male and I go to a place (real or felt) where no one else knows me so there are no expectations. Hope all that makes sense.

[TracyT]

For years I said "It's a harmless pastime, not a lifestyle." Now it's definitely a lifestyle. :heehee:

[Natalie5004]

I call it a "Hobby" with my wife. But I do not play golf every day. I would dress every day.

Is it getting to be more of a hobby? What about when I go grocery shopping as Natalie? I did that tonight. Is it still a hobby?

I want to have a professional teach me makeup skills. Is it still a hobby? I dream of dressing at times. Is that a hobby? At times I want to show people and family how I look as Natalie. Is that a hobby?

Am I moving from a Transvestite to being a Transgender person? That would be one hell of a hobby.

[Raychel]

I would not really consider my dressing a hobby,

more just a part of life for me. :) :)

[suzanne]

My dressing is not a hobby. It is the expression of my true self. While I have a decidedly male body, my mind and spirit are mostly female. But not entirely. I estimate my emotional makeup is about 2/3 female and that I am only a complete person when both sides participate in my life. One further complication is that the feminine side has been suppressed for mist of my early life, and is now making up for it by coming to the forefront more often. Nowadays, nearly all the clothez i wear in a typical day are feminine; my male clothes are consigned to my workplace.

[Kimberly A.]

Ladies, there were SO many replies to my post, so once again I'll just reply to all. LOL

Thank y'all SO much for your replies, I really appreciate it. :) I mean, obviously I know that CD'ing is more of a lifestyle to some of you than it is a hobby and I get that..... I was just curious and it was another way for me to get to know y'all a bit more. After all, I plan on sticking around here for a good, long while. LOL

If I offended anyone by saying that it's more of a hobby for me, then I do apologize. I know that it goes way beyond just CD'ing for some of you, some of y'all are transgender and I get that that is NOT just a hobby, it's your life.

[tooshytogoout]

No. It is part of me. Golf is a hobby. Bird watching is a hobby.

[BrendaPDX]

If this were just a hobby, I would drop it like a hot rock!

[Brandi17]

For me personally, I would say it is partially a hobby and partially something I just have to do satisfy the occasional urge I get to wear woman's clothing. I would say the urge is what gets me to start dressing again after a period of not doing it, then after I dress once, I enjoy it enough to keep doing it for a period of time.

I would say the only thing that keeps it from being a regular hobby is how high maintenance it is. Between shaving, to having to put on makeup if I go out public, it takes a couple hours of preparation every single time I do it. Which definitely spoils the fun in it after a while.

[Brandi Christine]

I wish it were a hobby, life would be so much easier.

It is a part of me, and like it or not, it always will be...

[sara66]

It is more than a hobby, but less than a lifestyle. More of a compulsion.
Sara

[Kimberly A.]

Tooshytogoout, I get that but honestly, CD'ing is more of a hobby for me than anything else, really..... Collecting things is a hobby as well. Well, I collect women's items such as clothes, shoes, hosiery and jewelry, (although I don't have a lot of jewelry yet and it's really cheap jewelry, I still collect it). LOL

- - - Updated - - -


It is a part of me, and like it or not, it always will be...

Nothing wrong with that, Brandi Christine. :)

- - - Updated - - -


It is more than a hobby, but less than a lifestyle. More of a compulsion.
Sara

That's totally understandable, Sara. :)

[Teresa]

Kimberly ,
As I undertand it you aren't married with children so you can enjoy much of it at your leisure , if you have any level of dysphoria trying to snatch moments around the family can be frustrating and depressing . In those circumstances the hurt and problems you may cause can't be excused by brushing it off as a hobby , it would be an insult to them . Separating after 45 years of marriage to deal with TG issues is tough on everyone , I'm lucky not to have lost contact with my children and grandchildren but I have put them in a position to find ways to explain this situation to others , I'm sure they are not just telling people I've found a new hobby .

[fun4metoo2004]

For me, I would cross dressing is a hobby. I like wearing women's clothes. I like how i feel when I go out dressed. I need to get more proficient at makeup. But my priorities right now is to sell my current home, and build a new one on a bigger piece of property.

[Kimberly A.]

Teresa,
I totally understand that. But for some of us as I've read, CD'ing is a hobby and for others, it's more than that..... It's who and what you are, it's your lifestyle and in your case and so many others here, you're a TG and you have, (I'm assuming), made permanent changes to your body, such as perhaps HRT and surgeries. But as for me, I haven't made any permanent changes to my body, what I do to look like a woman is only temporary, quickly and easily removable..... Breast forms, clothes, makeup and shaving my body hair; I haven't had any permanent hair-removal done and I guess you could say that by me getting my ears pierced is permanent, but that's really not either because after they heal, if I so choose, I can leave my starter earrings out and let the holes close up.

But anyway, I do of course understand that it's not a hobby for you. :)

[CynthiaD]

I’ve had lots of hobbies. I stick with one for a couple years, then lose interest, or get interested in something else. However, with crossdressing, it has been over a decade since I’ve dressed completely in male clothing. I’ve been fully en femme at least part of the day every day for almost as long. I have no male underwear or male casual clothing. Even when I go out in male mode, most, if not all, of my clothing is female clothing. I’ve been essentially 24/7 since the lockdown started. When I get up in the morning, the thought of donning male clothing never even enters my head.

Definitely not a hobby.

[Vintage4sarah]

My wife frequently refers to my crossdressing/trans side to be"my hobby". It works for her and she means no harm. Actually for Sarah, it is long past being a hobby and more of a deep personification of who I am inside. When I have the opportunity to be Sarah whether alone for a day, meeting with my Tgirl fiends or the ultimate overnight events, I relish the chance to let my full inner woman come out.

So some may call it a hobby, but to me, it is a life long quest to be woman I was meant to be.

[MarinaTwelve200]

Sure, Its a good term to use in my case. It gives me pleasure and relaxation and ESCAPE from "myself" and the pressures of "Maleness". I never actually WANTED to be female or identify with women, but it is fun to be pretty every now and then. I still get sexual pleasure from it too. I personally think that those who identify as women are more "Transsexual" than simply "Transvestite"

[sayhi2dd]

I wonder if, for me, it's a fetish? I love the way I feel when I dress. More so, I like to elicit a reaction from men. I guess gurls got have fun! :heehee:

[Ashlee]

Not a hobby, not a fetish. More like an addiction with intense cravings when unable to indulge which with this COVID B.S. going on has affected.

[Cheshire girl]

I agree Ashlee. There have been far fewer chances to go out recently and this can make you feel quite anxious. I have now been out a couple of times since Covid and have more trips out planned. It?s not just a hobby! When you see a woman in beautiful clothes you just need to do it yourself to feel at ease.

[Barbara Jo]

For me, it is definitely not a hobby. It is who / what I am and always have been
I have always been gender dysphoric and longed to present in a female role.

Let me explain things way.. When I was in Jr High school, I had to get an athletic supporter... a so- called "jock Strap' for phys ed class
I was quite embarrassed purchasing it. However, at the same time, I was freely purchasing panties and other female things with absolutely no embarrassment.

However, being now 73 years old... growing up, this sort thing was never discussed. back then. Also life events prevented me from doing anything about it
Of course, if i was born more recently, things would be different.

BTW, I now live alone.... and live and dress as a female at home.about 24/7. I have no family in the area and my friends have all either died or moved away. So, I have very few visitors.
I live an apt complex and just have to be concerned about a very few neighbors but, I have devised ways to work around that.
I also am going out in public as a female with increasing frequency.
I am not getting any younger and it's now or never. I am in very good physical heath.

Since I live at home as a female, whenever I appear in public as female it seem completely natural to me and I am totally at ease with it .