When I look back at my life, to even five years ago, I would never have imagined that the day would come when I would be living as Sara. The reasons for that had nothing to do with a lack of a strong desire, even need, to be true to myself and to live as the person congruent to my soul. The reason that I could never see myself living true to myself as Sara had everything to do with fear and preconception. I still recall the disappointment and horror I felt the first time I dressed up as Sara in full make up, wig and clothes. The image in the mirror looking back at me looked ridiculous. Even with a very close shave and heavy make up, my beard shadow was easily visible. My caterpillar unkempt eyebrows screamed "man in a dress" and everything about the image in the mirror screamed that "you can never pull off living as a woman". I was absolutely certain that it would be impossible for me to ever look enough like a woman that I could live in open society without feeling that I would be the object of other people's scorn and mockery. That was the preconception that I harbored. The reality, however, has turned out quite different. Nearly three years of hormones have had a significant impact on everything from facial features, to softer skin to getting some curves. Laser hair removal and electrolysis, though still in progress, have removed ninety five percent of my facial hair. What I thought to be impossible five years ago has turned out to to not be so impossible. I consistently pass as female with the general public and in the year and a half of living openly and full time as Sara I have not had one hateful comment launched at me. So many of my fears and concerns have been proven wrong.
I know that I am not the only person to have had incorrect preconceptions. Those of you who have transitioned, what preconceptions did you have? Did they come to pass or did you discover that you had blown things way out of proportion in your mind? Those of you who are now where I was five years ago, what are your concerns about living as your true selves? I would love to hear other people's experiences in this matter.