How has CD been good for you?

[Aka_Donna]

This is a question for those who have been cross dressing at least 2 years so the teen years are mostly behind you.

How has CD been a plus in your life?
So many posts are about fear and negative comments, but what about the other side of the coin? What good has come from this experience?

[I'll share mine later, but don't want to narrow down or direct the responses]

[CynthiaD]

Crossdressing has boosted my self confidence immeasurably. When I put on a dress I feel strong and powerful, like I could accomplish anything. I was a muscle-man back in my 20’s but it never made me feel as powerful as putting on a dress does today. Of course, the difference is knowing who I really am. I recently bought a new skirt-suit and I was amazed how good it made me feel. Strong, powerful and classy. And female. That’s the real me.

[Marketa]

I'm sorry I'm braking the first rule of at least 2 years, but this is really important for me you to know.

CD had incredible impact on my male-self's depression, which was the reason to start CD in the first place. Suicidal thoughts are almost non-existent for past few weeks and I also discovered a new me, which I really enjoy.

[SophiaRose]

I pay much more attention to the women in my life from a whole different perspective than the typical guy would. Hoping it has helped me to be a better person overall.

[Kayy]

I feel more relaxed and more who I want to be. This applies when I’m in male mode too, as I know I can always get dressed when I want to. Having a fully supportive wife helps too, I was in the closet for a long while, then dadt, I’m glad my wife came home early one day (!) found me dressed, and decided she didn’t mind!

[Jillcder]

Crossdressing has helped with my overall health such as watching what I eat and drink so I can fit into my dresses, hopefully my ladylike skin care routine will pay dividends as I age, Crossdressing for me is the ultimate stress reliever so yes there are many positives from this great hobby I have loved for over 50 years.

[docrobbysherry]

Glad u asked, Donna! Altho it took me a decade to find out? I'm definitely a CD!:heehee:

As a man over 80 what opportunities to socialize and/or hobbies r left for me? Even my 65+ year old friends have given up golf. I went thru my "model trains" hobby stage before age 16.

Trying to dress as every attractive women I've ever seen is a very challenging and rewarding "hobby".:battingeyelashes:
And, much more exciting and rewarding than model trains!

What kind of social life would I have as a homely old man? I certainly couldn't go out, dance, and hang with pretty young women at clubs and bars meant for folks in the 20's to 50's!:o

And, lastly: Out dressed I regularly see other trans. Mostly in their 40's to 60's. Some r good friends.
And, I've met 100's, if not a 1000 other dressers at T events across the country.:hugs:

If u haven't met many T's you're missing out. Because most r very interesting, unique, and remarkable folks!:love:

[NancySue]

I don?t know where to start. I guess the reduction of anxiety, comfort are my primary enjoyments. My Dr. suggested support stockings, which are almost impossible to put on. I?ve found thigh highs work just as well and are so much more comfortable. I love the support my waist clincher provides. With 6 garters, nylons and thigh highs feel great. Since retiring with my so supportive wife, I dress most days. She teases me about how can an underwire bra and hose be comfortable. I just smile.

[Fiona_44]

Crossdressing has led to my being transgender and living full time as a woman. It has enabled me to discover the real me, one I like a lot more than the male me.

[Kris Burton]

CD has been a completely positive experience for me. It has allowed me to drop my psychological baggage of the past and live in the moment, appreciating the present and learning from the past rather than ruminating upon what might have been had I not been so foolish and shy. I now approach my life with the exuberance of a young person.

[il.dso]

For decades, it provided incredible relaxation, escapism and eroticism.
Now mostly an anxiety reducer in such a profound and powerful way...

[Jane G]

Being on the trans spectrum and crossdressing is simply part of my life. Having to remain closeted, due to the wishes of those closest to me, is a test at times. But it is what it is. Part of who I am, part of life.

[missjoann49]

Crossdressing has led to my being transgender and living full time as a woman. It has enabled me to discover the real me, one I like a lot more than the male me.

Fiona, you could not have said it better. I feel the exact same way and am well on my journey and loving it

[Misty_cder]

Over the years, CD'ing has helped me in several different ways. It gives me more appreciation for what my wife does every day to maintain her looks. Dressing also helps me escape the pressures of being an alpha male.

[Lana Mae]

I am also with Fiona and Miss Joann! CD led me to being trans! Much more relaxed and outgoing! Do not understand but it is really me and not how I was before!
Best wishes on everyone's journeys!
Hugs Lana Mae

[Angie G]

I'm way more relaxed in my every day mattes and feel more sensitive in my feelings to others.
Hugs

Angie

[BLUE ORCHID]

I have been dressing for 77 years and I think that I am a more caring person,

[Sometimes Steffi]

Steffi has taught me how to smile, a real smile, not a fake "say cheese" smile.

Steffi taught me that I can dance without consuming 3 glasses of liquid courage. Steffi probably doesn't dance and better than boy me, but she's not self conscious dancing as was boy me.

Al lastly, boy me is an introvert, but Steffi is an extrovert. She has taught boy me to talk to anyone I run across, give them compliments and even just chat them up.

[Nikkilovesdresses]

Dressing also helps me escape the pressures of being an alpha male.

But are you an alpha male? Would an alpha male wear pink panties under their Boss suit?

Perhaps we need a new classification. Zeta male?

[SaraLin]

For me, CD helps keep the dysphoria at bay. I know that deep down inside, I'm more trans than CD. But life, and the choices I've made, have stopped me from attempting transition (again!)

Still - I can't live the life of a plain-vanilla "muggle" male.
I know, I've tried it. That road leads to deep depression and self-destructive behavior.
Wearing something feminine on a regular basis keeps me from having a meltdown.

I don't think it has "made me a better person." I think I'm basically good anyways.
It's just that my accepting who/what I am has allowed me to more openly express my softer side, even if the outside world still only sees my male presentation.

[Christina89]

Cross dressing has helped me cope with stress, anxiety and depression. I feel when I throw on outfits and let Christina out for a bit I feel the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.

[alwayshave]

CDing has forced me to be more social. I'm not saying I am a social butterfly at this point. But not the wallflower I use to be.

[Celine 9]

I am enjoying CD. It helps me bring out my female side. When I relocate, I will have more time for CD.

[Pauline Quirky]

Despite my introverted nature I have always been a bit of a thrill seeker who likes to party and just let go from time to time. I got to a stage in life where my partying days were over and those around me lost all interest in going out and having any real fun. I was left feeling like there was no joy left to be had in life. So I turned to CD and created a whole new alter ego and a way to feel joy and happiness once again. I don't know what it will all lead to longer term but for now it's a source of great pleasure for me and I don't imagine ever wanting to give it up!

[TheHiddenMe]

I'm not sure good is the right term. Wanting to wear women's clothes and "present female" has been a desire for 60 years. Dressing scratches the itch.

I love trying on clothes. I enjoy shopping for them. Girl me has also made friends who support and validate me. Went to a music festival last Sunday with one, meeting another for lunch tomorrow.

Dressing just makes me happier.

[Bea_]

I don't do female. I love being a dude but crossdressing has given me a much broader sense of what constitutes masculinity for me. It's broadened my comfort zone and caused me to redefine who I am.

I was never particularly "masculine" by traditional standards but I spent years moving so far from anything feminine in order to avoid being considered to be a sissy or gay. Choosing to wear things that expand my own definition of masculinity has given me a sense of strength that otherwise never existed. I'm totally a monogamous straight male and not really interested in attracting anyone. I guess that sucks for my wife, but choosing NOT to do DADT has given me a sense of balance in an otherwise unbalanced relationship.

[DianeT]

I don't think for a second that I would have lived a boring life without the CDing. And maybe my wife and I would have had a better life without it. But it definitely enriches the overall experience for a person that is curious of everything (well, to a point). Blurring the gender boundaries, even if only by means of presentation, opened a world of emotions for me that I'd never have known otherwise.

[Georgia Rose]

CDing has led to a more relaxed me and someone who has become more involved with what my wife wears and to some extent buys. Pre CD I would not be asked if a particular outfit was right for the occasion or which outfit from a selection would suit best etc. Now I'm frequently consulted. This also comes out in shopping when I'm consulted on suitability, colours etc. I'm certainly more relaxed when I'm dressed and really am a "different" me. Pity society doesn't generally see it as we do.

[CDMargret]

The best out of my dressing has how much closer my wife and I are. We share clothing. We go out for lunch and shopping. We have built so much trust and fun sexy memories. This past month we attended a weekend long event were we both dressed to the nines. Had so much fun. Its the closeness we share, her unbelievable acceptance and support. Dressing has brought us closer together.

[Aka_Donna]

Interesting responses. There is yet another one I want to add. For me it has meant being younger. I don't do HRT but body is a tad younger than peers and mostly attitude is younger, i.e., there is something new to experience and marvel at. For example this summer it was trying daisy dukes shorts and daisy duke skirt. Feels totally different than other attaire, so interesting experience.

[Staci]

It gives me an escape to a world that I don?t really have any cares other than how to look good. And that is for me and nobody else. I get excited when I am about to get dressed and fully relax when I am dressed.

[Stephanie47]

Being a cross dresser has re-enforced my acceptance of minority groups under the LGBTQ+ banner and any other group that has been maligned because of who they may be by birth. As a teenager I experience a lot of self-loathing for who I was; probably caused by ignorance and disgust by society. Donning women clothing was a good escape mechanism from stresses of work/family life and dealing with combat related PTSD. All the guys in my support group self medicated with alcohol and drug while I with cross dressing.

[Jessica Secret]

It's been great for my mental health and being able to forget about stress in my life for a while whenever I'm dressed. 99.9% of my wardrobe is romantic lingerie and I wear it to bed almost every night, plus I have a boyfriend who is extremely accepting, encouraging and supportive (plus he loves seeing me in lingerie). So needless to say I feel like a princess every night when I come to bed.

[Abbycd41]

It has help my mental health sooo much. I feel happier and relaxed especially when dresse even when I am not now. It’s Kinda like an escape from life for a while.

[ttacitus]

It has helped give me motivation to exercise and get/stay in better physical shape.

[BiancaEstrella]

Without crossdressing, I never would have found my self. I’d have probably remained an ornery and unkind person, and not lasted particularly long with this singular chance I have at life. Instead, I empathize with women better, and I cannot state enough how the world around you benefits when the women in your life feel heard and seen. I was going a step beyond, of course, and doing so in the way I had access to (sartorially)… but then I thought about it. Enough women present themselves to the world this way for it to be mainstream, yet every woman I know has a horror story about some form of unwelcome contact. I can be better than that, right? Considering how I feel about the way women present to the world, and wanting my own opportunity at it, I’m going to make it my duty to be even better to them. And then I started being better to everybody. And I started being better to myself. And now I’m here - a fully-realized transgender woman! But I owe my pursuit of this to crossdressing, specifically the ease my mind felt when I’d do it.

[OrdinaryAverageGuy]

But are you an alpha male? Would an alpha male wear pink panties under their Boss suit?

Perhaps we need a new classification. Zeta male?

Why not? I'm an alpha male, even if wearing a pink thong under my work shorts. Why should my underwear keep me from being who I am?

[Celine 9]

I enjoy crossdressing because it helps me relax. Also, I like to take selfies of me dressed in dresses, 3pc outfits and maxi dresses.

[AnelineM]

I finally have comfortable underwear

[Shelli]

Crossdressing helps me relax and stimulates me at the same time. Fortunately, I can direct which of those attitudes I care to enhance on any given occasion. :) Ultimately, I find it to be deeply fulfilling and affirming of my inner self.

[Aroara Xanthemae]

The silks and sheer mesh gives me a sense of comfort and the nylons and thigh highs with a garter belt bring out a feeling of personal awareness that I cannot explain but want to feel it all the time

[nalasirder]

I work in a leadership role in a high pressure male dominated field (large scale construction sales) and wear company branded gear 6 days a week.

I underdress and paint my toes to make myself feel a bit unique and pretty in the face of a huge amount of masculine energy. It helps me cope with the stress to remember I'm nice and silky underneath.

[jjjjohanne]

I think being a crossdresser (not transgender) has helped me be more kind to LGBT people than I would have been otherwise. That's only part of it, though. Other events helped shake me and show me how ignorant and insensitive I was to LGBT and almost any other group outside of my social circle.

[Sharon budd]

For me the question is impossible to answer because I do not know what it is like to not be a cross dresser.
Sharon x.