I am a fan of you’re work and have just been brushing up on my copy of Feminine Movement Vol1.

A question I have is do you have any tips on dealing with large hands? Besides the thumb curl you show in the DVD, are there any cosmetic considerations for making hands appear smaller? Do manicures help? Does paint or french tips make the hands look bigger or smaller? What about accessories like bracelets?

Thanks for your help!

Personally, I had several factors working against such an extended timeline, and many working in my favor (thankfully). The level of my GID was such that postponing a full transition for years would likely have resulted in the loss of my career due to the mental turmoil that accompanies the condition, or suicide under the worst conditions. So, I had no choice but to at least start down the path. I had managed to start facial hair removal shortly before I accepted that I was transgendered, so I had that going for me already. Once I started transitioning, I found that many, many things fell right into place - like this was the person I was meant to be all along. I seem to have very natural feminine mannerisms, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky ones, as far as looks go. I was passing about 70% of the time from the first day I went out. Also working against my extended timeline (and believe me, I did have one) was a bitter ex-girlfriend, who took it upon herself to out me to everyone she ran across. The rumors spread, and I finally had to tell my work in order to take the bull by the horns. This happened a mere 5 months into my transition. At that point, due to having a very good career for many years, I was able to afford some minor facial work, which moved my passability to about 98%, and I went full-time. No looking back.

There are many things I’m still having to learn (such as some fashion things, and working with my hair - and I’m still working on my voice, but it’s passable), but I was fortunate enough to have a very supportive daughter to help me out. So, I have enough knowledge to look good while I learn the rest. Yes, I would’ve preferred to have the 2 years I had originally planned, but life just didn’t offer me that. I got lucky, and I’m just thrilled that I’m now able to spend the rest of my life as the true me.

I’ve found, though, that planning ahead isn’t a guarantee of things working out. For example, finding wrinkles in something you thought was ironed, or finding that you are bloated or just plain gained weight and no longer fit in those cute shorts you bought. Grrr.

However, I’ve also found several definite benefits to being full-time. The first one is the most obvious - non-stop practice. Practice picking out and matching outfits. Practice applying makeup well and fast. Practice with mannerisms. Practice solving issues that crop up at the last minute. I’ve been absolutely amazed at how quickly being full-time has changed me, inside and out.

And as much as dressing everyday takes a ton of time and energy, I’ve found that it is saving me time also. Gone are the days of racing home from work, peeling off the boy clothes, reshaving, trying to figure out what to wear, switching outfits 4-6 times, applying makeup, and finally getting out the door, no less than 40 minutes late to an event. Now, all I have to do is about 3 minutes of makeup touchup and I’m gone. Ok - sometimes I have to switch outfits. But as you’ve pointed out, I have that picked out well ahead of time.

Anyway, yeah, it takes a ton of time, energy and desire to dress everyday… but I wouldn’t trade it back for boy clothes and a drabby appearance, even if you paid me to. Lord knows how I did without all these years.

My father (a New Yorker) used to say “If you ever think you’re ugly, or if you ever think you’re handsome, just ride the subway” with the idea that there are always people prettier or less pretty than you. How true that is especially for our community!!

Regards!
Robin

The website’s URL for the shoes is:
www.shoesofyourdreams.com.

The selection of shoes is great!

Hugs, Carol