Situational awareness

[CarlaWestin]

So, I firmly believe I've been safe, patient, productive and intuitive my whole life and slide into retirement honorably. I owe a lot of that to the whole crossdressing thing and its clandestine atmosphere. Especially in a DADT existence. Being aware of every word I say to her, I never so much as joke or comment on anything trans. In our life together, it's non existent which makes for a nice life. I do get my private time and it's a great way to start the day.

Anyway, has the focus and intensity of this crossdressing thing had any positive influence in your daily thinking?

[Kris Burton]

Despite the intense, obsessive nature of crossdressing, since I began actively about four years ago its effect has been quite positive for me. it is like it has filled a void in my psychological being, and with an accepting, even participatory wife it has not changed my/our life together at all. Unlike many I actually enjoy the duplicity and clandestine nature of out activity, knowing that no matter how secretive it may seem or need to be in some circles I harm absolutely no one. Basically, its all upside for me!

[Lacey New]

After a few playful attempts to suggest that I might enjoy wearing her panties early on in our marriage, I soon learned that she viewed it with disgust not humor. So, I have completely compartmentalized my crossdressing and kept it small and out of sight. There have been a few close calls for sure but so far, so good. Situational Awareness

[Brenda456]

It does have an impact on my daily thinking. Whether with my wife, or out with friends. It impacts what I say and how I feel.

[docrobbysherry]

Well, unsure about that, Carla. But, I would have no social life without Sherry.

Fortunately, most folks r under 50 in clubs and think I'm in my 60's when I'm out dressed. Everyone my age, 82, is dead, physically impaired, or in old folks homes!

[Sandi Beech]

Kind of like what doc said, my social life was zero until I went out as Sandi and then that changed drastically. So maybe in some regards that helped my mental state by getting to experience youth in my sixties.

I know what you mean though about being careful as to what I say regarding our community around my wife. She does not want to talk about anything CD related, so why bring it up. It is a taboo topic.

Sandi

[CynthiaD]

I feel that crossdressing has made me a more complete person. It has increased my self confidence, and made me a much stronger person. I think it has more to do with self acceptance than anything else.

I’m a joker and I love making other people laugh. But I absolutely never joke about crossdressing or being transgender. Too often crossdressing is treated as something comical. But crossdressing is serious to me. Not comical. Not a joking matter. I’m serious about it. I’m not joking. This is who I am, and I’m not a joke.

[alwayshave]

Carla, I guess I'm lucky, I don't need to hide it. My wife always encourages me to go out. She loves to watch RuPaul with me and has no issues with trans subject matter.

[Stephanie47]

As far as thinking goes it has shaped my viewpoint about others who are suppressed in our society. I have no problems opening up on people who are critical of others. Being closeted does not mean one cannot defend the rights of others for self expression.

[April Rose]

For much of my life, while I credited having the secret of cross dressing for making me more open minded, I also blamed it for interfering with my focus, and keeping me from achieving my goals. It wasn't until, at retirement age, I was diagnosed as ADHD that I realized that most of my problems were from that and not the cross dressing.

Since then, I have become more comfortable accepting and expressing myself as a feminine person. I am not 100% there yet, but I'm getting there.

I guess that's the way life goes. You keep working at getting better until you run out of time.