turning 50

[Absaroka]

Recently someone posted about the idea that at age 50, perhaps because of male midlife crisis, our Cding takes on a new power or dimension. It certainly did for me. I still have the feeling it is filling a void previously filled by something else even though at this point I feel relatively happy. In fact times when I am depressed I lose the desire to dress-it's something I prefer to do when I am already feeling good.

Any thougths out there?

Absaroka

[Rikki]

AB,
I think you're right. For me 50-51 made the urge to dress for real and not just dream about it, an all-out mission. No big changes in my "real" life, no mid-life "crisis", just an outpouring of desire to do and feel something I had always wanted to do since adolesence. Now with the financial ability, and Ebay, I could find the fashions I always wanted.

They can not lay me in the ground (preferably in organdy and chiffon and lace) a happy person.

[Paulie]

I haven't reached that age yet, but as I have gotten older I find myself wanting to dress more often.

When I was younger, I could go weeks or even months sometimes without so much as wearing a pair of panties. I guess it started in my mid thirties that I wanted to dress more often and more fully. I started buying more outer clothes and shoes and loved being completely dressed whenever I could.

I guess, as we get older, we find out more of who we really are. And, don't want to hold back and waste the time we have to be happy.

Just from my hazy perspective!

[DonnaT]

I turned 50 last year. Doesn't seem to be any difference in desire now than I had back in my 20's, just more opportunities to get out of the house.

[Tania María López]

I´ll turn 50 in a few months. Crisis? what crisis?

[Kendra Lynn]

Abroska: Yes, I defintely feel more like "dressing" when in a good mood.
The "hassle" involved with the process means if I'm already depressed, tired, or upset, "dressing" won't get me out of it. Although I'd still describe the feeling (when I look good) as a natural high. "Dressing" is definitely a kind of "release."
I waited to really explore this until after my mother passed away in 2002. She knew that I cross-dressed, and saw one photo from Halloween 1996, but I never showed her any more and did not want to cause her additional stress.
So, now that I'll be 55 in about 2 weeks, I've definitely been dressing at least several times a month for the past few years. (not much this past summer though-- too hot and humid-- nasty summer this year).
Also-- my "cheerleader" incarnation has become more of a public figure, turning up at protests and other appropriate events.
I will say I look pretty good for a soon to be a 55 year old... (well not all the time, but when the outfit fits right, and the make-up works, and with the right wig and glasses, the results can be pretty amazing...)
That's about it for this installment of the continuing saga.
Peace-- Kendra Lynn.

[Anita]

I will say I look pretty good for a soon to be a 55 year old... (well not all the time, but when the outfit fits right, and the make-up works, and with the right wig and glasses, the results can be pretty amazing...)

There--Kendra said it all. If the moon is in the correct astrological sign, and the lighting is just right, and the breeze doesn't blow my hair too much, I can look pretty good.

As for 50--yep, that's when it all happened. It had been threatening to happen at around 46. It was then that I suddenly had the idea of performing in drag while playing guitar. I remember doing a little research--I went into a dancewear store to look into leggings. The woman owner was not too enthused about helping me, I recall. Then, for some reason, I never did any more about it, which puzzles me now that I look back on it.

But when the need to express some kind of femme self came back three years later, it was no longer just an interesting idea--it had the force of law behind it! It was going to happen; my only "choice" was about how long I could put it off. It was a month before my 50th birthday that I went out for the first time. It was to a midnight drag show, and there was no one on the streets around the club, but my new girl self was really enthused about seeing the world. It was a strange feeling, to see through "her" eyes for the first time. Now I'm used to it, and don't think about it very often.

[DeeDee]

When I turned 50, I didn't think much of it at first, til one day it dawned on me that I had lived 50 vital, active years!!!!!! And chances of 50 more of the same were kinda slim. At that point I was totally closeted (and there is nothing at all wrong with that). I guess I was 55 when I said I have to meet others and get out...so I did...my philosophy was that I didn't want to look back regretting I hadn't done what I always wanted to do. Since then, I have been out a lot(not as much as I'd like since with age comes other family issues) and enjoy it so much. Heck..at age 56, I even went to Disneyworld enfemme, which is a wonderful memory I'll always have. The girls I've met have been wonderful, both GGs and our kind. I suppose the main thing with turning 50 is that the "career building" is pretty much over...and we see that our time is on this orb is limited, which means....enjoy now!!!! I suppose I look ok for a 58 y/o gal, and still a size 12 (shoot me). But the main thing is just to enjoy while we can and how you can.
DeeDee

[Charlene Marie]

Well I guess its a individual thing, but I just turned 58 and I feel 40. Ive dressed off and on sice I was 10 or so. Ive dressed seriously for many years, and as of March 06 I have lived as a woman full time. I feel lots younger than my age, and I'm the happiest I've ever been,

[Alana]

Absaroka,

While I can't say that 50 was the magic number, a few years afterward was. I finally accepted myself for who and what I am. Decided that if God made me CD, I was going to do my best to honor that. While I am not dressing as often as I have, I have more of a desire to do so and be out and about while dressed.

I also have come out to more people and let them in on my secret. I've been fairly selective as to who I've told, but so far most of them have been accepting and even supportive.

Like some of the others that have responded in this thread, I feel that I have limited time left to enjoy my femme self. I would like to maximize the dressing, though given my current circumstances, that probably won't happen to the degree I would like.

For the last five years, I have researched just about everything I could find on how to dress, use makeup, and otherwise better present myself as feminine. I feel like I'm doing pretty good. When I dressed for an office Halloween luncheon a couple of years ago, most of the women felt that I made a very good looking woman. Some have even offered help in doing a better job.

Anyway, for one who is about to turn 57, I feel that I am at a point in my life where the desire to be dressed and in feminine mode is very strong. Stronger than any time in the past that I can remember.

Love,

Alana

[Absaroka]

Alana something you said reminded me of something that has been nagging at me lately.

You said that being in your fifties that you want to do what you want most to do with what time you have left. Or words to that effect.

I'm feeling something of that myself. I feel that I probably have about 25 years left and that no doubt they will have a lot of surprises and excitement in them-I am looking forward to the future most of the time. At the same time I wonder sometimes what exactly do I want out of the next couple of decades? And sometimes I wonder if the energy CDing requires, even though it's a lot of fun, is a diversion from something else.

On the other hand there is a lot of truth to the saying that if you want to make God laugh make plans. Who knows maybe the asteroid is goint to hit in a moment or two.......what should I wear to the event?

Absaroka

[Carol Ann]

Well in my case I'm 67 now and try to dress everyday, all my life I have done what other people want ( job, army ) now I do what I want and am very happy. You know what a touch of makeup will do to make you look younger

[Kendra Lynn]

Carol Ann: Yep, no question-- makeup, the outfits themselves-- since my look is sort of "preppie" with occasional "hippie" accents, and the wigs, do make me look younger.
That is kind of a kick, definitely!
Peace-- Kendra Lynn.