Am I over reacting.....hmm

Sharon, I understand your reaction. Are you over-reacting... well, reacting is always a manifestation of our feelings which are always valid. How we react is where conflict develops. Sulking speaks to more your personal method of reacting, in general. You can, if you chose so, to work on the "how". It sounds like reality might had "hit you upside your head", as we say in Texas. . If I received a concussion every time I got "hit upside the head", I'd be bit "Via Loco" (ok, now you in the peanut gallery, you hush up right here. :tongueout.) It happens. Our masculinity is so unique, even among all of us her in the forum. I do not know how much your dressing is prominent in your life. You stated you were dressed, watching TV with your wife, so it's not a secret, at least to the most important person in your life. While facing the world as a man is something that can be at times, challenging, annoying, exhausting, it is something we do, every day. But I can tell you every man you see in your daily life, whether or not you know them face the same doubts, challenges, annoyances, and is just as exhausting (it could be the reason why many men are just cranky all of the time.) The thing about traditional masculinity is that it is very limiting for the male. Traditional masculinity more often than not, direct us what we "cannot do, say, act, say, wear, etc..., the list it is exhausting.) What men such as us must do is re-define masculinity for ourselves. It's not a matter of being "less", that is the traditional measure, we cannot measure ourselves in traditional ways. You are in touch with your feminine side, so am I, as all of in the forum are.... that's an awesome, beautiful, exciting and desirable thing. Embracing the man you are, the feminine nature you are, your dressing, is freeing, liberating, and hopefully bring you relief from the stress and angst of striving for a masculinity that is just not present in you. Does this mean you will never go out kill for dinner, build your house yourself, sweat and grunt and smell and never allow a tender notion ever to spark inside you. PROBABLY. Does it mean you cannot provide the support (emotional, physical, financial, or any other) to your wife, family, and friends, DEFINITELY NOT. There's a lot more than grunting and scratching one's family jewels to make up a man. So you're to the traditional "Alpha Man', very few males are... so what. You are the man you are, as much as the woman you know you are. You're Beautiful. :love:

Yeah, you?re overreacting. Get over it. Look at the positives, #1 supportive partner. Who cares what others do or think. Live and enjoy your life

You really don't need to impose yourself with labels. Yourself is all you need to be.

Yes, you're overreacting. I know men who are too "manly" to ever consider wearing a skirt, yet in the ways that count I'm more manly than they are. I'm a good provider, a good protector, I fix things, I deal with repairmen, and on and on. And I'm man enough to wear a bra under my dress.

What does it take to "be a man?" There are numerous songs out there, none that I know of mention hairy hands. And there a million opinions out there on the subject.
I even had a girlfriend once who complained that I wasn't man enough to smack her around when she got out of line! (No, I wasn't then and I'm not now!) But when I take my wife into my arms while I'm making breakfast while wearing a skirt, she's quite happy with the man I am.

Flip the script; Bob and Bill are the ones who should be sulking, as they are incapable of getting in touch with feminine side and there's no way Bob and Bill would ever get a date with your wife if she and they were single. So, who's the winner here? Seems pretty obvious to me :)

What does being "manly" mean. To me it is a lot of BS (as we say in Australia). I've known lots of "manly" men I would never want to be compared with. Self opinionated, control freaks, insecure, bullies, etc., the list goes on and on and most are petrified of showing any emotion. In this life you have to be yourself as you, most likely, only get one chance at it. Embrace who you are not who others are.

Hi Ladies, I'm over it. Thank you, I knew you would tell it as it is. That is where this site comes into its own, advice we can't get anywhere else (well not for free anyway).
Hugs, Sharon x

Glad you're doing better.😊

Yes you are over reacting, but I understand it. You are very fortunate to have an accepting spouse!

She may have meant ?too manly? in a negative way, that they aren?t as open to variety and narrow minded. That she laughed with you in agreement before the comment seems encouraging. She sounds like she appreciates your openness and being in touch with your feminine side, focus on the good and treasure those moments of being accepted for who you are. I get being sensitive though, there is a lot of fear we deal with in being honest and vulnerable, it?s easy to get caught off guard and take things personally. I hope things have smoothed out, it sounds like you have a pretty great situation. Don?t forget to thank her for her openness too.

Just be who you are. I know a number of ?alpha? males and I don?t like very many of them. Your wife is a real sweetheart.