Thinking about venturing out into the world!

[AmyGaleRT]

Dana, the first time I drove somewhere as Amy and got out of the car was at a supermarket, somewhere around 11 PM, I would say. I got some candy for Sabrina, paid in the self-checkout line, and went home. Nothing bad happened, though I might have caused some teenagers that were exiting the store as I went in to make some sort of snide comment that I couldn't quite hear. Subsequent times I went out, I didn't even get that. Eventually, I got to the point where I'm not afraid at all anymore, because I have confidence in myself and in my presentation. I've been to grocery stores and drive-throughs, to group meetings, gotten my hair done (I highly recommend this experience!), and shopped at Lane Bryant. I'm getting closer to one of my goals, which is to be able to function in the "real world" in either gender.

There's no reason you shouldn't be just as successful. You look perfectly cute and femme. Time to go out and enjoy life, girlfriend!

- Amy

[LynnR]

Dana, I can't advise you because I haven't plucked up the courage yet - much as I'd love to go out there myself. But I wanted to wish you well. You look very passable to me and I think there's lots of excellent advice in this thread to make things go smooth.

[Beverley Sims]

I think you need to do what you are doing and work up to the next step.
It doesn't happen overnight.

[CarleyR]

If you are near Chicago, consider walking around Michigan Avenue, River North, the Loop or any other busy place. You can easily get lost in the crowd...especially as everyone else on the streets pays attention almost solely to themselves. And if like most CDs you favor dressier clothes, there will be many well-dressed GGs in those places so your clothes will blend in, too.

[DanaGirl]

Im gonna try to get in the car and go for a ride whenever i get all dolled up. Im trying to set this as a goal and take it from there. Ive gotten into the car 2x before but im thinking if i make it a regular thing, then maybe i will get more comfy with being outside. Hell maybe even during the daytime one of these days.

[Helen_Highwater]

ill try to get dressed this weekend and leave the house, at like 4am or something.. (ill let you know how things go)[

Can I suggest a compromise. Go out just before dusk. If you're worried about neighbors seeing you wear drab stuff over the top and remove when away from your neighborhood. I''ve found that if walking in a (good safe) residential area the most common type of folk you'll encounter are dog walkers.

[MysticLady]

Ive been thinking about going out dressed lately (thanks in large part to this site). Ive taken a car ride like 2 times late at night and it was so scary yet exciting.

Hi Dana
Just do what I did. Dress up pretty and go dancing at a gay establishment. No worries there. Had a great time.

[DanaGirl]

well i got dressed up tonight and got in the car and drove around for like 20mins and got out and put gas in my car. I wasnt sure if i was gonna crash the car from checking myself out in the mirror or is i was gonna have a heart attack. It was intense as hell.

I almost went to a mcdonalds drive thru and got a hot fudge sunday but i chickened out maybe next time

thanks for helping to give me the curage

[Princess Grandpa]

*HUG* good for you sweetie! Don't worry too much about not hitting McDonalds. Girl you should be nothing but proud!

[Tracii G]

Well one more milestone for the books on to the next one!!
You did great !! woo hoo!

[AmyGaleRT]

I almost went to a mcdonalds drive thru and got a hot fudge sunday but i chickened out maybe next time

Hey, there's always next time. The local McD's is the first place I got "ma'amed," but that wasn't until after I'd already gotten out in the car a few times.

- Amy

[DanaGirl]

well id never really thought much about going outside and blending in and just being a girl, but recently i find myself wanting to take things a bit further. I read on here that CD'ing tends to pregress, so i guess these feeling are pretty normal. I guess id like to know what its like to be accepted as a girl by the rest of the world when i out and about. Still feel like i need to lose some weight and work on my makeup. I feel like im pretty decent at the nightime sexy makup but i cant seem to get a casual daytime look.

anyway i guess im rambling, thanks again for the support and encourgment to get outside, maybe someday im get out and be passable.

[julia marie]

Dana. You're not comfortable with your weight or your makeup? Golly, you're a girl already! Get out and enjoy yourself.
One little confidence builder. Remember that women are much better at making eye contact with complete strangers than guys are. Make the extra effort to do that when you are out dressed as a guy -- smiling at checkout clerks or people you pass on the sidewalk, and sharing a friendly comment or two -- and it will go a long way in making you feel comfortable being seen and seeing others when you are out looking pretty in a wig and skirt.

[linda allen]

thanks again for all the advice, im gonna try to get in the car when im dressed and leave the house, start at night and then maybe during the day. maybe get some gas. I think you girls are right i just need to take baby steps untill i dont feel like peeing my painties at the thoughts of it.

ill try to get dressed this weekend and leave the house, at like 4am or something.. (ill let you know how things go)

If you're going out "dressed" at 4AM in the morning, you should be dressed like any real woman would be at 4am in the morning. Probably in sweatpants and your hair tied up behind your head. 4am is not a natural time for people, especially women to be out unless they are working or on their way to work.

[MysticLady]

I guess id like to know what its like to be accepted as a girl by the rest of the world when i out and about.

Don't do this to yourself. You're going out and enjoying this for you and not the rest of the world. Trust me, the rest of the world has their own issues to deal with.