Hi everyone
I just wanted to share a little update in my personal life since my last post in March.
In a week I'll be starting in a new job as Web Developer. After 10 years as teacher, and one year at home on sick leave, that's going to be a big change in many ways. A lot less vacation days, but at least work won't come home with me.
In the long run I hope to become fully self-employed someday as (Web)Designer. I've been doing it for 6 years freelancing on the side and it's really my thing. I've also noticed, since the start of accepting my true self, I've been able to produce better creatively.
I started HRT about three weeks ago. The first week was very difficult, panic, fear, suddenly not feeling anymore what made me start my journey. But I know what I want and I'm going for it, at my pace, taking my time. I've been living in a box that's not mine my entire life. I want out of it, but not to be pushed into another one. I want to be me, whatever or whoever that may be over time.
My new job doesn't know I'm trans yet. I'll be going to work dressed as a man. It won't be for a few months till things start to change noticeably and an explanation is necessary. It gives me the chance to prove my worth without prejudices of my colleagues and employers. It gives me the time to get to know everyone and find my place among them.
But I'm hopeful. There's no dress-code, you come as you feel. And from what I saw after my first visit, there were may types and variations of people.
Perfection Is a Road Not a Destination
) The computer field is generally open and accepting of a wide range of behavior though it is still very male-dominated. In the web side of things it's easy to get yourself accepted as "a creative" which gets you wide leeway in terms of presentation. I have many deeply conservative clients who don't blink an eye when I show up in a meeting with bright nail polish and flashy earrings on because I'm a creative. On the other hand, you have to work pretty hard to get them to accept you as being a decision maker if they get it into their heads that you're a creative, so you have to take a pretty firm hand at times to make them acknowledge that you're not just a pretty face.
