Does coming here encourage us?

[Deborah Jane]

Does coming here encourage us to explore ourselves further?

When i first came here last year, i was very unsure of myself and where i wanted to go with my femme side.
I had only ever dressed up when i had the chance, i had very few clothes [mainly lingerie] and rarely tried makeup. I had a cheap fancy dress wig, had never shaved my legs or painted my nails and would never have even considered going out...Ever!!!

Since being here, i have more clothes than my ex wife, love practising with makeup, own 5 decent wigs and everything else i need to try and appear female. I shave my legs and body regularly and often paint my nails and wear perfume!!
I,ve also been out a few times since the encouragement i got here for my first trip!!

I still wonder where this could all lead to eventually!!

Has being here had this sort of effect on other members?

[adelle]

oh yes for sure hon, 100 x yes:hugs:

[bobi jean]

A B S O L U T E L Y ! ! !

[Chiana]

Without a doubt. I have revealed a whole lot more of my fears, thoughts, dreams than I ever thought I would. And all of us have seen the occasional newbie come on and have a complete life change after being here for a while.

[Shannen]

As hard as I resist all the suggestions here, I eventually give in and then there is no turning back!

I just KNOW I'm going to end up getting some breastforms!

:hugs:Shannen

[Janet Bern]

definitely,, if it were not for this site I would not have gotten expensive clothes and got out shopping eating and even go to ladies rooms

[sterling12]

Where it will lead to, will be determined by you. I think of my Transgendered Life as a lot of small steps; new opportunities/experiences that taken in total start to reveal my Femme Self.

I think it's an ongoing process. We had a Thread a week or so ago from Doc asking, "if the thrill ever diminishes?" I believe that we are all "Works in progress," and the process of "evolution" will always go on.

Will you decide that you want to move to the extreme end of The TG Spectrum, and get SRS? Nobody knows, including yourself. Most gurls who start to "explore" think about it....most don't go that far.

I think we may have had some of the same thoughts. Once you really get going, and start to explore; it's sometimes a shock to stop for a bit and take a deep breath. (I think that's why they always put a flat area somewhere around the middle of a roller coaster ride.) My advise is relax and enjoy! Life should have a bit of mystery, or it would be very dull! Your TG "Trip" will ultimately lead you to where you need to go. As The Reggae Song says: "Don't Worry, be happy."

Peace and Love, Joanie

PS. Coming to this Forum is just one of those many small steps on that pathway. Being here, responding, thinking, and doing, all contribute to your learning process.

[Emily Anderson]

Yeah, definitely Debs.

It's a bit of a battlefield at times, but great to see there is core support overall.

[DemonicDaughter]

When I was with my ex, I only knew my friends who CDed and my ex-husband. So when I met Kayla, I felt the ping of missing all my old friends that dressed up and dragged me out. Many of you inspire me to be more of who I am and not settle for those who do not accept it. Many of you show more courage than you realize. Its amazing to see so many of you blossom and become whom you've always wanted. Makes me want to do the same. So even from a non-cder's point of view, yes!

:love:

[Phoebie Phoenix]

I have to agree too. I have been coming here for about a year now, and am finally getting the courage to accept this part of me again.

Just reading about the adventures that some of the girls here have, and looking at how beautiful some of you are in the photo gallery just inspires me to want to explore this part of me more and more ...

xxx

[lauraabdl]

I got hooked from the first time I found this site. and since being here my inner self has blossomed to find a real girl inside that has been stifled for to long. I totally relate to the site now and wouldn't have it any other way. Us girls rock for sure.
Laura

[Sophia KT]

Between this and less repuatable sites I have found that the me that thought it was not possible has become the me that is and only laments the other %$^&.

Sadly I am pissed again, but I am happy.

:daydreaming:

[linnea]

Visiting this forum has had a very positive effect on me. First, I realized that I was not alone. The other CDs that I met here have been helpful, interesting, encouraging, insightful.
Second, I have gotten all kinds of good ideas from the other girls (CD and GG and others alike) about dressing techniques, where to go, what to do, etc.
Third, I have been inspired to feel better about myself and to try new things myself. Recently, for example, I read about one of us planning to go to church. I knew of churches that would probably be safe and accepting, but I had never done this myself. I am now making plans to attend a service sometime during the summer. I'm very excited.
And, I have gotten to know some of the girls better. Through email, I have become acquainter with several CD-friends whom I will someday visit and enjoy good time with.

[KateW]

Definitely. The site gave me the confidence and encouragement to grow my hair down to shoulder length, and more importantly - to not care what other people say when they tell me to cut it!

Many thanks to you all. You are my inspiration. x

[boy2girl31]

, Many of you inspire me to be more of who I am and not settle for those who do not accept it. Many of you show more courage than you realize.
:love:

In fact the other day I was at the thrift store and I tried on heels to see if they fit usually anything I buy I just look and hope I'm right.
You should have seen the looks I got. (I was in boy mode:D)

[MJ]

yes i get inspiration form my sisters here .

[docrobbysherry]

For egging me on. For pushing me over the edge, into the CD rabbit hole. For encouraging me to keep trying to push the envelope. For puting me down. And sometimes it's just, "Misery loves company"!

Sometimes, I'm not sure what this site really is for me! Maybe all of the above!

[KateSpade83]

I learned more about crossdressing and becoming passable because of this site. And this site keeps me addicted!

[Alice B]

Without a doubt. I've learned much from this site, made friends and gained the courage to explore the female side of my life.:love:to all

[Deborah Jane]

I think to many of us, coming here and finding each other and discovering we aren,t alone with this has really helped us to come to terms with ourselves!!
I now regard this as my second home:)

[susan2010]

Where does this lead?
Straight to Hell (at least that's what dad said).

[Michelle 51]

I have to say yes because i feel better about myself since i found this site so i don,t fight it anymore and that in itself has made me keep exploring my femme side to the point that as i sit here at my pc i,m dressed fully in femme with mascera, earrings, heels, breastforms,lipstick and i,m not going anywhere i just feel better dressed.

[tamarav]

It seems to me tht everytime you get a lot of like-minded people together, advances just keep on happening. This site is an excellent example of the type of support and sisterhood that is necesary for all of us, no matter how long we have been at it.

Thank you all for being here!

Your grateful sis,

Tami

[deja true]

Does it encourage us?

My gosh hun! You know it does!

After years of feeling like crap, like losers in the gender war, we're all finally winners of a sort. There are people here who say virtually nothing bad about you. Who compliment you for every baby step. We take better care of each other than anybody else most of us know!

There's a good kind of peer pressure here that encourages each of us to get better at what we do, that helps out, that really seems to care (for the most part) that everybody finishes the race, no matter their place in the field.

Sure there are front runners, but the front runners are among the most supportive, the least selfish!

We're not only encouraging each other to become better femme emulators, but all around better and more accepting human beings as well.

Clothes make the man! Clothes and makeup make the person!

[Tomara]

Hi everyone , I absolutely agree , the friendship, support, and unity have given me more confidence in myself to enjoy who I am and who I want to be. Thankyou everyone !! Tomara :hugs:

[Suzy Harrison]

Does it encourage us?


..let me think about it for a split second ~ Oh yes !


Since I've been on this site, I've progressed more in 9 months than I did in the first 30 odd years ...and yes, I too wonder where it will all end .....

[melisss2u]

I am hoping it does help me along

[Angela-Russell]

Yep, definitely helps coming here. I also find that it's an outlet for being a cd'er without actually dressing as I rarely get a chance to dress lately. A sort of substitute, if you know what I mean. But seeing how passable some of the girls are here is definitely an encouragement to try harder when I do dress x

[Dawn Marie]

I think to some extent that this site does encourage us to further explore our femme side. It also shows us that we a not alone, and by looking at some of the others pictures it shows us what is possible for some of us to achieve. For me it gives me a place to talk to others like me and helps me further my best look at appearing female.

[CD Susan]

Yes, what I read on this site definately encourages me. Since I discovered this site six weeks ago my entire outlook about myself has changed dramaticaly. I am now no longer content on being alone and want to open up to the rest of the world. Finding this website has changed my life for the better and i feel so fortunate that this has happened to me.

[Edwina]

Yes, yes, yes. :)
I have amazed myself with how much I have changed.
When I first joined I had no wig, no forms and hardly any clothes. My first avatar was a shadow image of my lower half in a skirt and heels. I had never dreamed of walking out the door in daylight and shopping in a supermarket :eek:
What a ride it has been and I still have challenges ahead which I may or may not meet but it is fun dreming .:daydreaming:
Thank you all

:love:

Edwina

[Amy Hepker]

Yes, We are finding out, WE ARE NOT ALONE!!!! OH MY!!!!

[Jenny Doolittle]

No.....Definatly NOT!!!!!!

Just kidding, Heck yes the ability to join with like people helps us become who we are. The biggest positive in joining a group such as this is realizing we are not "Weird" different maybe but, thats what makes living exciting.

Secondly, after finding we are not alone in our desire to dress we become more comfortable with who we are and find that is ok. Lets face it, before being a CD'er I am a nice person....and I realy thing the fact that I am a CDer has something to do with that!

Third, Being able to see the small steps others have taken, and finding out they had positive things to say about their own advenetures in CDing only encourages others to experiance them. I know for me, I view all the small steps as a matter of personal growth.

And Lastly, we all want that compliment so we cherish the tips in makeup. or dressing to make our own appearance be better.

So, Thank you all for being there for me and all the other girls looking for support, conformation, and someone to confide in.

Jenny

[RitaCD]

Yes, most definitely. I have seen other CD sites over the past few years but none compare to this one. I have learned so much from the other gurls and my confidence continues to build. I now go out almost weekly en femme and feel so liberated, especially when someone refers to me as maam or lady. I get online almost daily just to keep up with what all of the other members are talking about. Thanks so much for being there.:battingeyelashes:

[Ayame]

I plea the fifth. lol

[Kate Simmons]

What encourages me the most is when I see folks getting in touch with themselves and their feelings. The dressing, while nice, is just the reflection of that. Being comfortable with ourselves and others and embracing diversity is the most important part of it. It starts here my friends.:)

[Vivian Best]

33 out of 35 responses so far say "YES" the site has helped them! I certainly agree with the majority. It has helped me in so many ways I can't list them all.

[deja true]

What encourages me the most is when I see folks getting in touch with themselves and their feelings. The dressing, while nice, is just the reflection of that. Being comfortable with ourselves and others and embracing diversity is the most important part of it. It starts here my friends.:)


BINGO!

[Vieja]

I don't know about "US" but it has really done a great deal for me since it is about the only outlet I have for being Vieja. It is a wonderful place to read about the triumphs and heartbreaks of those that post here. I don't post very often but I do feel the joy of the triumphs and the pain of the Heartbreaks. Thanks a million to those who run this place.

:love:Vieja:love:

[JoAnnDallas]

Let's see, since I first joined this site back in 2005, I have:

1. started going out in the daylight fully dressed.
2. When to my first Tri-Ess convention
3. Joined Tri-Ess
4. Told my wife I am a CDer
5. Had her accept me as a CDer
6. wear fem t-shirts, shorts, open-toe sandals on weekends.

In fact all today, I wife and I went shopping and I was doing #6 with my bright Red toes showing. In fact she helped me pick out a pair of 3" heels for my Prom outfit.

[victoriamwilliams1]

Yes! Since joining I have been more sure of myself in public, I have been in public for years however that is places with very low traffic. Now I am going out in mid afternoon shopping in stores that are quite busy.

[KarenCDFL]

Since joining I have a much better idea how others like me are coping with the the girl inside of us.

Having an accepting wife really helps. Having you all here takes away some of that loneliness that I grew up with.

Didn't really know there were others like me till I got my first computer. A TRS-80 Model I and got onto Compuserve back in 1977. Remember this was all text! No graphics at all and a green monochrome screen to boot!

I found some forums and OMG! I wasn't alone anymore.




http://o.aolcdn.com/aimphotos/image/karencdfl/13054944_l.jpg

Really look like my mom in this picture.

[Jenny Doolittle]

I liked the way JoAnn posted sence I started visiting CD chat rooms I have....

Gone shopping at Midday as Jenny
gone to lunch as Jenny
Tried on clothes as Jenny, (No returns) Yea!!!!
Have met another GF as Jenny (had great time shopping and lunch)
began wearing other girly things out all the time as Jenny
Had a Makeover at Macy's as Jenny ( Lots of good advice from the Makeup professional)
Opened up completely to my wife as Jenny ( with good comunication)
Made outwardly changes as Jenny ( Nails, plucked brows, shaved legs and arms)

And best of all....I feel as though I am not trapped in a closet or box hidding who I really am. Good luck to all of you finding that person U are. I can only imagine what the next year will bring.

[TxKimberly]

Heck yeah it does! When I first started coming here it was all I could do to screw up the guts to slink from my hotel room to my car to go for a drive. After reading Karen Huttons posts though, I decided I was missing a lot of fun and decided to try and join the world. Haven't looked back since . . .

[Georgette]

When I first discovered this GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT forum I was totaly in the dark, I thought that what the heck am I doing. Now I know I have told my SO and she knows but really deeo down does not accept it but she tolartes me. I do go out but she prefers to not go wihme.
I would say tis forum has encouraged me to seek others, and like minded to be who we really are. I have quite a wardrobe of clothes that I would never have had if it were not for this site. I LOVE IT.:heehee::heehee:
:love::hugs:

[Claire3]

Hi debs,its just good to meet nice girls like yourself:love:

[debbeelee1]

Yep, it has encouraged me by coming here. I've only been CDing for 2 years and found and joined this site 6 months ago. I would have never thought about going out in public before. Since joining, I've been out and about 4 times and looking forward to the 5th time!

[Alex!]

Personally, as I get older and more involved with the "crossdressing community," my desire to crossdress seems to diminish. It is such a buttload of work and often I would rather invest the energy in something more productive. But clearly the urge is there, usually quite strong after a year or so of not dressing, which makes the expression of Andrea all the more sweet.

I suppsoe this forum is a surrogate for crossdressing. In some ways it supplants the need to crossdress on those occasions when I really don't feel like doing the whole getup.

[Cayce]

1000% yes!

I've not only become more encouraged, but more empowered. Since finding this incredible site, I've amassed an arsenal of panties, 3 or 4 nighties, and I'm now branching out into more "everyday" clothing. In fact, just this past week I got myself a nice pair of capris and a cute blouse to start off the summer!

It's been very encouraging to know that I'm not alone and there are a LOT more girls like me out there. It's also been a great way to help my SO understand me better and to understand myself better.

Coming to this site has been a fantastic first step on this amazing journey to accepting myself and being who I am!

:D