Venturing Out

We all start off in the wardrobe but most of us want to enjoy the bright lights!

I remember the first time I ever went out en femme. It was 6.45pm on a Monday night in early March 1999 –one tends to remember these momentous events. It was something that I had been working towards for about 10 years–never accuse me of rushing things. Yes, there are reasons to be hesitant but most of the fear is, ultimately, irrational when confronted head on. Planning the first venture out (especially choosing the time of day and selecting the route) can greatly help provide any needed re-assurance. In any event, when the time finally came, I wasn’t scared………I was bloody scared.

Shopping Centre

All the reasons for passing up the opportunity to go out were replaying themselves in my mind over and over again. However, I opened the front door, looked out –asked myself one more time if I was mad- and put one foot in front of the other. I didn’t go far that night but I made two big discoveries. First, the absolute necessity of suitable shoes when walking on concrete footpaths. Second, going out into the big bad world wasn’t actually that bad.  I tell a lie, I felt on a great big high. I wanted to do it again right away!

Since then, I have been out numerous times but not enough. I still have nerves, even today, before I open the door but they seem to vanish once I step outside. Unfortunately, I go out mostly on my own which is okay but nowhere near as good as sharing the experience with others.

However, I was lucky enough to be out last night (3 October) in company even if it did rain all day. We went for some drinks and then went to the local shopping centre. Maybe we should have reversed that order!

Cheers!

As you can see from the two photos with this post I go for blending in when I'm out.  Having said that I might have been a tad overdressed for late night shopping in Tesco but I didn't get any funny looks.  That's where confidence is critical.  On one of my first ventures out, I was walking up the street as my brother turned the corner towards me.  There was nothing for it but to keep cool (even though my heart was thumping) and believe I could carry it of. Similarly, when I ended up in the same small restaurant as my cousin.

Anyway, what I really want to say is that it is crucial to take that first faltering step otherwise the world can be a very small place. The sense of achievement will make your confidence soar and there is no turning back. You are out and about and will keep wondering why it took so long to do something so simple!


As Arthur Daley (late of Minder) would no doubt say -the world is your lobster!