Hi everyone! I like to call myself Alyson, nice to meet you all! n_n
I've kinda been checking this site out over the last week or so, and came to the conclusion that it seems a pretty nice place, so I finally decided to join up!

I'm 26, and I hail from Shropshire, West Midlands.
I've spent years being depressed because I wasn't born as a girl physically, and have recently decided that enough is enough, and I'm going to do something about it. Most of my online friends have known me as Alyson for ages, but I haven't managed to tell my family as yet. Everytime I try I get all scared! >.< I guess I just need to find the right time for it.
Sorry if this was the wrong place, I haven't been on many forums.. n_n;

Alyson.

Hi Alyson, welcome to tzone. It's always nice to see another face. I hope you really enjoy the forums here and find them helpful.

Alyson wrote:

I've spent years being depressed because I wasn't born as a girl physically, and have recently decided that enough is enough, and I'm going to do something about it.

It feels good when you can finally make a decision to act. I'm sure there are many people here that can help and lend you support along the way.

Alyson then wrote:

Most of my online friends have known me as Alyson for ages, but I haven't managed to tell my family as yet. Everytime I try I get all scared!

It's only natural to feel scared afterall it will undoubtly feel very important to you that they are able to accept who you are inside. Finding the right time is difficult, is there ever a right time? I guess there are certainly wrong times. Personally I never found the perfect time and just one day had to say something.

A lot of people have told their families with a letter, this way they can read it at their own pace and take everything in without interrupting you or asking immediate questions. They can also think about what you have written and if you have included some links or places where they can find information about it, it will help them understand more too before they come to talk to you about it. I know some people have given their family members a letter whilst in their presence because it's difficult to talk about and you can forget all the ways in which to describe how you feel in the nerves of the situation.

I guess it really depends on what your family is like. Some families may be slightly insulted if you are not telling them something as important as this to them in person first. Some families will understand how difficult it is to talk about and appreciate you writing a letter.

However and whenever you decide to tell you family I wish you good luck with that and I know plenty of people here will be all to willing to lend you their support.

Alyson finally wrote:

Sorry if this was the wrong place, I haven't been on many forums.. n_n;

No need to say sorry, this is the right place.

Feel free to start a blog in the My Story and Daily Blogs section. I find keeping a blog (like an online dairy where others can add support) can be really helpful and therapeutic.

Ask us any questions, there is usually someone on the forums who can help.

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Hello Alyson .
I've got nothing more to add to what Chrissy has said, other than Hi .
Jenny
xx

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Out out!! You demons of stupidity!! - Saint Dogbert

I just have to say that I recognise your face from somewhere and your name rings a bell too. Maybe it was from another trans forum. I have joined quite a few in the past but this is the only one I use now.

Also I think you have a great avatar picture Alyson, you look very feminine.

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Thanks very much for the welcome! n_n
And thanks for the advice Chrissy, I had thought of the letter thing, but wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Something that kinda worries me is that I have a lot of brothers and sisters of a large age range. I was thinking of maybe just telling my mother and a few of the older siblings first, and see if they can help with how to go about letting the others know.
I might well give the blog thingy a try. Not quite sure yet though! I read a few pages into yours, and it's really awesome!

As to my picture, I did join one such forum some time ago, and didn't really make many posts. I can't remember if I put my picture up though. A lot of people believe I'm female when I go out, or answer the door for some reason! XD I kinda hate the part where I have to "correct" them though, and I get some odd looks and embarrased apologies. I get the same kind of thing on the phone too, oddly. Although I don't think I look or sound very feminine at all!
Thanks for the compliment though, it means a lot! *hugs*

Alyson.

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Heehee.. Yes, my brothers always give me funny looks because I don't mind people saying I look girly. They seem to think I should be angry about it! XD
I've always said to them that I take it as a compliment anyway.

Also, yes, your blog is rather long isn't it? =3 I don't know why, but what's happened in someone else's life almost always seems more interesting than my own! XD That must sound terrible.. n_n; But depressing or not, reading about how someone else has gotten through their own bad times helps me to think that I'll get through mine too. *hugs* So it's certainly encouraging! n_n

Alyson. (Aly works too! =D)

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forum moderator

Alyson, you may find Trans Shropshire (also known as Gender Matters)
useful:

http://www.trans-shropshire.org.uk/

Good Luck!

_________________
irrepressibly me

Aww, thanks very much Gianna! *hugs* I'll do my my best!

Aly.

_________________
Man [...] must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." (Jean Paul Sartre, 1943)