Looking back

[Helen_Highwater]

So, the year draws to an end. What has 2024 been like for you. Good, bad, average? Were there any stand out moments, again good or bad.

For me I guess it was confirmation of our DADT relationship. I'd been seen dressed a few times, she snuck up on me and I didn't have time to cover up, but nothing bad was said so next time I could have covered up I didn't as I knew I needed to properly test the waters. Did it not once but twice and both times no adverse reactions which led me to ask the question did me being dressed bother her. Well the answer was she it didn't match the image of me she had in her head and would rather not see me dressed. Good, no explosive outburst, no stop or else, bad in that I wouldn't get the freedom to dress more openly I'd hoped for.

My SO having knee surgery meant I had to cancel Helen's week away in November as I was needed to be the nursemaid. That was a disappointment but f it improves my SO's mobility and reduces her discomfort then that's a small price to pay. Besides, I've now booked a week in March to replace it.

A collection of other small things that I'll count as wins makes me look favourably back at '24. A 6-7 out of 10 I'd say.

[NjJamie]

Great idea for a thread!

In many ways 2024 has been absolutely awesome but also absolutely horrible. First the good stuff; family is working towards good things, work is OK with a possible 2nd retirement in the next 3-5 years, had some of my biggest and best CD adventures/outings (meet up with friends, shopping, etc.), semi support at home for some CD activities and the only complaint is about the time available for CDing (don't we all?).

The down side has been the loss of friends, some hopefully minor medical issues and getting another year older.

I hope everyone has a much better 2025, even if they had an awesome 2024!

[NatalieMN]

2 major things happened this year: I got engaged and I went on a trip to San Francisco/Sonoma Valley where Natalie made an appearance for a couple days. I also went on some other big trips (no Natalie though). Will go out tonight as Natalie as well which is still technically (mostly) 2024 :)

Also started doing more to make sure one of my friendships continues on strong. We live a ways away and, while we never got to the point of things dying out, I have started putting more of an effort into making sure it keeps going.

A couple health scares for some family members which may influence 2025 but they both happened towards the end of 2024. Otherwise, no real bad to speak of which is nice.

The rest was sort of business as usual. Made good strides in my career to continue progressing the way I want. I spent a lot of time with family and continued doing what I do for hobbies and fun.

[JulieC]

Keeping it CD focused; the first few months of this year my wife and I were temporary empty nesters. This meant I could dress as much as I wanted to at home (wife is supportive). For the first several weeks, I dressed 100% while at home. My clothes all came out of hiding and had proper places. This was more fundamentally important than I ever thought it would be. This was the first time in my life when my femme clothes were integrated into my standard wardrobe storage. I've never wanted to identify the femme aspects of myself as being another "entity" within me, but this was the first time that those aspects of me had equal footing with the rest of me. I felt very, very liberated. It was difficult putting everything back into hiding when this time period ended.

Since then, it's been more difficult for me to go long periods without being crossdressed. My femme aspects do not want to be repressed anymore. My wife and I sleep apart for health reasons. To help with the femme aspects, I recently changed the circumstances of where I sleep such that I can lock the door of where I sleep now. This has enabled me to sleep crossdressed every night, which is usually a bra, forms, nylon nightgowns (yes, plural; I like the feel of them moving against each other), and pantyhose. This has helped me to feel like my femme aspects are less repressed now, but I keep wishing to be fully crossdressed and able to move about the house. Overall though, this is a lot better of a circumstance than 365 days ago, so I'll take it :)

Overall, a pretty good year! In 2025, I'm hoping to force myself into public more than the tiny excursions I have done. We'll see.

[kimdl93]

Looking backwards, it could have been worse. Looking forwards, things could be better.

[docrobbysherry]

For me? Probably a 9 out of 10. Can't imagine things going much better than they did? Leaving politics out!:devil:

For Sherry? I'd say 9.9 out of 10! She wore, did, and went everywhere she wanted. The only thing missing this year was a TV interview/appearance!:tongueout

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Hellen :hugs: Some times Family comes First,

I am a year & a half on a new Left Knee & Five months on my new Right Knee,

You deffitanly need help,

We have a very workable DA/DT, Life is Great,

Happy New Year, >Orchid**O:daydreaming:O**

[TheHiddenMe]

My official report will show up at Kandi's place next Sun-Dee, but here is a sneak preview without the pictures.

49 times dressed, most of them outings. Three musicals, one symphony concert, a music festival and a concert in Central Park, a St. Louis Cardinal's game, three new states where I've gone out, beach/bikini/swimsuit time, and a boatload of shopping opportunities.

Mostly lots of fun, some shared with my GG friends.

[SaraLin]

My life as Sara was almost non-existent (as usual). I never got out. The only new clothing item I got was buying myself a new bra that looked pretty, but wasn't the best fit. Wife hasn't budged an inch towards acceptance and even "freaked out" over something that had been in my "approved nightwear" category.

I'm afraid that nothing much will change in the coming year, and if it does, it'll probably be in the wrong direction <sigh>.

My male life is slowly becoming more and more "caretaker" - both for my wife and for my disabled friend, who needs transport to/from his appointments.
And then - I've finally decided I needed to do something about my teeth. So - add in a bunch of dentist appointments.
To top things off, toss in having to deal with some roof damage from a hurricane and legal issues with a family member.
The fun never ends.:Pullhair:

[BrendaPDX]

"Brenda" hasn't been out in way too long, my New Year's resolution is to get out totally enfemme.

[Vikky]

My CDing in 2024 has been very enjoyable. I spent a week away with plenty of CD time when I did lots of writing (on my own) and dressed for most of the drive home, about 80 miles, in daylight. Previous outings in the car have been in the dark.

My circumstances at home and with my SO are much the same. I can dress most evenings for a couple of hours for maybe 4 or 5 times each week. These days we have separate bedrooms for a variety of reasons and I mostly sleep en femme. My SO accepts what I do but never refers to it.

Lately, I have realised that I could do my early morning exercise (about 20 mins) en femme. Never thought about doing it this way! Its quite an experience, like most dressing activities.

So for 2025 I hope for more of the same and maybe introduce more jewellery, which has been frowned upon in the past, and some modest make up.
Happy New Year to everyone and may your dressing be what you hope for.

Vikky

[Sandi Beech]

In 2024 my CD opportunities dwindled to a trickle. My last outing was in Denver last August. 2025 looks even worse with ailing family members taking a priority over such activities as they should. I may ultimately have to give it up altogether. If I do, I still have some priceless memories. Still , you never know. There is always hope.

Sandi

[JesseVF]

Ist half went well - out dressed more than I ever have and learned to dress more casual for everyday types of activities, interacting with SA?s in stores etc? always nerve wracking for me but also fun. Second half consumed by dealing with moving across country to SoCal. Unexpected family living with us so no cd for months. Changing soon so hopefully will get back to it. Afraid I?m going to have to reintroduce wife to Jessie as she probably hopes I?ve quit. Hope to maybe finally meet a group or just someone to share a friendship.
I?m happy for all those that have had a positive year, and hope for a better 2025 for those whom 2024 was not so good.

[Debbie Denier]

I have wound down my CD activities in 2024. My wife and I were both 60 and went on a lot of holidays while we still can.I partially retired in August. Opportunities have been less due to wife working from home due to health issues . Also have undertook a number of home improvement projects which has resulted in clothes being moved or disposed of. Never say never though. Maybe 2025 will improve.

[CharlotteCD]

January: Wife asked for a divorce. I was still committed to saving the relationship, even though I had wanted to walk away for months.
March: She hadn't bothered trying, so it was over.
April: She went off with the work colleague who was "Just a friend", then instantly regretted it.
May: I met a wonderful woman who loves me unconditionally. Told her about my dressing. She's fine with it.
June: New girlfriend does my makeup etc.
August: Moved into my new house, so I can dress whenever I want. Have only done it about 3 times in 4 months.
December: Got engaged as when you know, you know.


I started off the year in a massive depression at how badly my wife was treating me and unable to deal with her abusive behaviours and lies. I've finished the year in the best mental state I have known in the entire past decade, if not more.


2025 started with my fiance shaping my eyebrows and cutting the lace on my brown wig.

[alwayshave]

This year was both good and bad. In 2023 I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. Initially not that bad, but as 2024 rolled around, it got increasingly worse. The beta blocker that I was put on had a number of side effects that on top of the aFib and was no fun. In mid July I had a cardiac ablation, which is basically creates scar tissue on the inside of your heart to control the electrical signals that cause aFib. The procedure went well and a few days later, I felt much better. Several months later I was off the beta blockers. Ended the year feeling great. So much so, that I was finally able to go out dressed in December.

[Karren H]

Looking backwards, it could have been worse. Looking forwards, things could be better.

I was thinking that 2024 could have been better, Kim, looking forward, things look pretty dismal.

I did not fully dress that often but I did add an inch to my bust over the year! Year 3 of living with prostate cancer and the meds have everything under control. My urologists is happy, so am I.

[Stephanie47]

On the cross dressing front there was not too much change from previous years. As my wife and I sleep apart for medical comfort I do have the opportunity to sleep in a nightie, bra and panty and full slip all the time. Unless there is some scheduled event my wife wants to be awaken at 10:00 AM. As an early riser I can remain in my overnight clothes until shortly before her wake up. She did stay overnight at our daughter's place, so there was ONE day/evening that I was able to be totally en femme. The anticipation was less than the actuality of the evening. I don't expect 2025 to be any better or worse.

On the aging or medical front my wife was diagnosed with a heart condition that probably was resultant of breast cancer radiation treatment. Our daughter-in-law was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer.