17th Apr 2013, 11:44 AM
in Special
Author Notes:
Jocelyn
17th Apr 2013, 11:44 AM
Okay, I don't normally share this type of thing here, because it's not REALLY comic-related (you may have noticed, I just change my icon every month to show progress). But Rain IS about a transgirl, so I think it's applicable enough. After all, I'm sharing this one everywhere else; I may as well post it here too.
***
Not gonna lie. I was real nervous about doing this! So, do be gentle. XD
Anyway, I'm seven months on hormones today, and I've been wanting to make the comparison pic for a while. I took the "before" picture way back then strictly so I COULD do this someday (I just wasn't exactly sure when). Of course, I say "way back then", but really, for seven months, the time has flown.
But I chose now because, I dunno, I just feel more convinced of myself than ever before. I don't know what caused that; I mean, very little that I'm aware of changed this past month. All my measurements are exactly where they were last month. Even my weight was, oddly enough, identical down to the decimal point (actually, that kind of impressed me). I noticed my leg and arm hair is growing slower and a little lighter. I shave it anyway, so it's not really a big deal to me, but it's still kinda cool (it'd be cooler if it was the facial hair, but you know...).
So yeah, I think it's just confidence, plain and simple. I feel better about myself as I go. So I end up trying harder to effectively maintain that. So I end up looking better as a result and passing better. This all lends to a vicious circle of self-appreciation. I mean, here I am, thinking I look more authentically femme than ever, and for the first time, I also don't think I even look like the same person. Coincidence?
It's kind of eerie seeing these two pics side by side. I know it wasn't that long ago that I really looked like that fellow to the left, but it just seems like such a foreign idea to me now. If I weren't me, I'd probably think those two were brother and sister (which is itself funny because I totally DO look like my actual sister now). XD
***
Comments are welcome, but if you're thinking anything mean-spirited or disparaging, please keep it to yourself. Thank you.
And actually, I'd also like to see NO self-defeating comments below either ('cause I tend to get those). One of the big reasons I post progress photos, is as an inspiration for others like me. I'm not trying to boast here; I want to remind people that this is possible. Give you a goal to strive for. Because until seven months ago, I feared that this would never happen. I believed that the only place I'd see that second image is in my dreams. But I worked hard for this (am still working hard), and I think it shows. And one of the biggest inspirations for myself advancing this far, was other trans people showing their progress online. I'm just giving back what was given to me.
So please, don't beat yourself up. If you were going to say something like "you're so pretty and I'm not" or "I'll never look that good", don't. That's not the compliment you think it is. And I guarantee you're more beautiful than you give yourself credit for. If you're going to include yourself in your comment, try to say something nice. Not for me. For you. If you don't, I will. And when I do, don't tell me I'm wrong or deny it; I know what I mean, and I mean what I say.
Thank you, everyone. I love you all, and I wish you a wonderful day. ^_^
***
Not gonna lie. I was real nervous about doing this! So, do be gentle. XD
Anyway, I'm seven months on hormones today, and I've been wanting to make the comparison pic for a while. I took the "before" picture way back then strictly so I COULD do this someday (I just wasn't exactly sure when). Of course, I say "way back then", but really, for seven months, the time has flown.
But I chose now because, I dunno, I just feel more convinced of myself than ever before. I don't know what caused that; I mean, very little that I'm aware of changed this past month. All my measurements are exactly where they were last month. Even my weight was, oddly enough, identical down to the decimal point (actually, that kind of impressed me). I noticed my leg and arm hair is growing slower and a little lighter. I shave it anyway, so it's not really a big deal to me, but it's still kinda cool (it'd be cooler if it was the facial hair, but you know...).
So yeah, I think it's just confidence, plain and simple. I feel better about myself as I go. So I end up trying harder to effectively maintain that. So I end up looking better as a result and passing better. This all lends to a vicious circle of self-appreciation. I mean, here I am, thinking I look more authentically femme than ever, and for the first time, I also don't think I even look like the same person. Coincidence?
It's kind of eerie seeing these two pics side by side. I know it wasn't that long ago that I really looked like that fellow to the left, but it just seems like such a foreign idea to me now. If I weren't me, I'd probably think those two were brother and sister (which is itself funny because I totally DO look like my actual sister now). XD
***
Comments are welcome, but if you're thinking anything mean-spirited or disparaging, please keep it to yourself. Thank you.
And actually, I'd also like to see NO self-defeating comments below either ('cause I tend to get those). One of the big reasons I post progress photos, is as an inspiration for others like me. I'm not trying to boast here; I want to remind people that this is possible. Give you a goal to strive for. Because until seven months ago, I feared that this would never happen. I believed that the only place I'd see that second image is in my dreams. But I worked hard for this (am still working hard), and I think it shows. And one of the biggest inspirations for myself advancing this far, was other trans people showing their progress online. I'm just giving back what was given to me.
So please, don't beat yourself up. If you were going to say something like "you're so pretty and I'm not" or "I'll never look that good", don't. That's not the compliment you think it is. And I guarantee you're more beautiful than you give yourself credit for. If you're going to include yourself in your comment, try to say something nice. Not for me. For you. If you don't, I will. And when I do, don't tell me I'm wrong or deny it; I know what I mean, and I mean what I say.
Thank you, everyone. I love you all, and I wish you a wonderful day. ^_^
User comments:
I just... wow. Congrats on your progress! :D
I have to thank you. Before I started reading this, I didn't fully understand what it's like to be transsexual. I remember years ago, when I was still at an elementary school student at a Catholic school, I heard about transsexualism and called it sick and disgusting. Since then I've changed a lot (naturally), and by the time I found Rain I was really open to it, but after reading this I've come to really understand what it entails.
Thank you for making this comic, Jocelyn. You're an amazing person just for being you.
Thank you. I'm so glad that my story could help educate you about the subject. ^_^
(And, like, I'm so super omega jealous! I've been on hormones since December 2010 and I'm barely an A cup.(T.T))
EDIT: And this isn't a self-defeating comment! I like myself! I just wish I had slightly larger breasts!
I understand, hon. On the plus side, there is still time. Hormones can cause changes for up to 5-6 years. I actually know one woman who said she barely filled an A-cup in her first year. By the time I met her, she'd been on it for four years already, and she was a D-cup.
That's probably a rare example, but it just goes to show you really never know. Hold out hope; anything can happen. ^_^
I didn't develop much beyond an A-cup either, but I had a breast augmentation while I had my SRS, and now am nicely proportional. A lot of people say a lot of things about boob jobs, but pfeh, it made me happier, and they look great and not like the 'fake' boobs people think of. So if the magic of Estrogen isn't enough (and it's awesome magic), there's a perfectly fine, if more expensive, solution. (Compared to the other surgery, it was cheap and easy!)
So exciting!
That's wonderful news, hon. I wish you the best in your own transition as well. ^_^
Thank you for making this awesome comic, by the way. I stumbled on it and read straight through from the beginning. I look forward to the updates, both the comic, and your progress =)
Oh, and this ones from my brother:
Oppa gangam style, heeeeeeeeeyyy sexy lady.
(Looks like my bro has a crush on you :3)
RAIN has given me strength when I'm working on my own transsexual issues, and seeing a picture of you with this much progress makes me so happy for you. You're an inspiration for me to continue forwards as I grow into a trans-woman! ^_^
But I have to say...in all of the transition pictures I've seen...the biggest difference is the smile! You being yourself, and happy with who you are, is just really wonderful to see. ^^
Maybe when I start T I can go from right to left...but with the smile on the left!
(Whoops...I dunno if you get notifications of changes on these comments...or if you read the old comments at all...but I originally started off with 'Aw, man!'...and then I realized that that phrasing could be taken badly. Sorry!)
-Nora
Way to go! (5½y on hrt)
I'm so jealous, but primarily that you can afford new clothes. All the money I make is on art and I have crippling social anxiety so it's almost impossible to get a job.
Though I'm on month six and I'm feeling better than I did in a long time, and honestly I sort of wonder if the whole life starting to be more and more horrible was the testosterone poisoning... though I guess a lot of other horrible stuff happened around puberty time.
Though it's so weird, like yesterday I was feeling so happy for absolutely no reason and my first instinct was "this is wrong, nothing good happened!"
Which I guess it's weird to find depression to be normal and happiness to be something that requires a stipulation. LOL
Even if I can't afford any new clothes, I'm happy my insurance pays for everything so I don't have to worry about any horrible menopause experience.
Like, I really wish I knew about this when I was younger, but hey, I survived and even though I lost thirty years, I'm finally happy.
Not only that but medical science will probably give those thirty back with interest if technology keeps growing like it is.
This is really late, but I want to say that you look great. I'm proud of you ^.^
My mom died when i was 13, i never knew my dad, i lived with my aunt till i graduated high school, my aunt was a substitute teacher at my high school for a year and well Rain is dealing with these events way better then i have
ps you look happy so good
picture 2: omg
you look so much better in the second one and I’m so excited for you! and seeing how long ago this was you’re probably even more fem now…