It seems like most of you here dressed in secret for years before you came out to anybody--my question's for everyone else. How many of you came out to your loved ones before you started seriously getting into it?
I'm asking because unlike a lot of you, I didn't really explore these urges until recently. I figure the upside of that is that I never got into the habit of hiding my urges. If I go out there with the right attitude, I can avoid the closet entirely. That's definitely a lot easier than having to crawl out of it!
But there is a downside, too. I have told a few select friends and family members (all women, so far) about my desires. Honestly, they can't wait to dress me up! My problem is that I haven't actually done much dressing. What keeps me from coming out to the rest isn't so much intolerance, but just plain old insecurity. It's like at some level, I don't think I'm "skilled" enough to rightfully call myself a cross-dresser. I know it's silly, but I keep wanting to stay quiet until I get better at it...
Has anyone else ever taken this "backwards" approach? Any advice?