Well, I finally did it. I shaved my legs.
Okay, okay…I know to most of you this is old hat or no big deal, but it was a huge deal to me. Altering my appearance was a big cause for anxiety for my ex (with whom I still live, remember), so during the summer months especially, when shorts and trips to the oceanside were likely, I held off.
But the hair on my legs (and in fact everywhere else except my head) was causing *me* anxiety. I hate my body and facial hair. I see it now and want it gone gone gone. With the onset of autumn in New England, and therefore long pants weather, I thought to myself, “Why not?”
So I took razor and shave gel in hand, and shaved my legs. What a wonderful, freeing feeling, derived from a simple act! So much more comfortable (despite razor burn on my inside thighs, which I hope will diminish over time), so much nicer in tights or under my silky slips, or even under my plain old skirts!
But it’s more than just a sensation thing. Shaving my legs was an act of release for me. As I ran that razor up my legs, I watched the hair fall away, and with it a tiny part of my masculine side, leaving just a bit more space for my authentic self.
It’s not the removal of the body hair that’s important. It’s the freeing of self that it represents. It’s the feeling of femininity that comes from it. I look at my legs now–nude or in pantyhose or tights–and see just a tiny bit of the real Catherine, who is still not free to be fully herself, but who has found a new way to celebrate who she is.
Every time I shave them now I feel tension leave. I feel peace. I feel my inner girl stretch her wings–just a little, but it’s enough for now.
-Dianna Catherine Rose
I am happy to see you enjoying the simpler things about transition. Such small things have giant-sized effects on your well-being I feel. It is these things and their effect that gives so much pleasure and as you put it, ‘release’. Do you remember your first trip out ‘en femme’? How filled with that same feeling of release? Enjoy the moments before they become simply routine. Love
Shirley Anne xxx
Hi Catherine
I’m glad you are able to make the decsisions that are important to you and that they are bringing you peace. Although I regularly shave/veet I also go through times when I don’t and the feeling when I next do it is exactly the same. I often shiver, especially when a de-nuded leg feels man trousers.
But as Shirley say enjoy these feeling, as they do not last for ever. You can only learn to ride a bike or learn to ski once. After a while the excitement of learning something new vanishes. But you can still enjoy the ride anyway.
Hugs TinaCortina xx
http://tinacortina.wordpress.com/
I dropped by to read your latest news and I was really touched by the innocense of how you describe the act of shaving your legs and I know exactly what you mean.
I totally understand the free feeling and peace it instills within you.
I hope your enjoy all of Christmas this way.
Hugs
Helen
I know what you mean, the first time I shaved my legs was so incredible and I worried what others would think so did it during the winter. Now I shave them year round and really no one has said a thing.
I have also kept my toe nails painted sense 2005 as I really never go bare foot as a guy and they look so much better. Something you may want to try.
Hugs
Susan