I'm delighted to have stumbled on this thread. You see, for five months of unemployment (April-September this year), I was able to dress about 80% of the time. I almost never passed up the opportunity, but I was never stimulated by how I dressed, nor got any thrill by it. I wondered if I was burning out. I also cut way back on the forums.
I embarked on a project to pose for the camera in every article of feminine clothing in our entire collection, so I could database every article, and have a picture of how it might look. It was a monumental task, especially after I decided that anything with a neckline had to involve makeup, even though I was cutting my head out of the pictures for the database.
After awhile, dressing and makeup became a chore. To my amazement, I actually looked a lot better than I thought I would in Women's jeans, though I still only wore them to get the photographs. I very nearly failed to complete the project, because I did eventually find a good job.
In retrospect, I actually paid a high price for dressing en-femme all the time. My good neighbor across the back fence (retired), who probably never knew about my dressing, but was a wonderful person nonetheless, passed away last week. All those opportunities to talk to him across the fence when mowing the lawn or working on my antennas, or whatever - I missed most of those because I was staying inside to work hard on my clothing inventory project.
There is no way to decide if it was "worth it". But now that I am out of the house for 12 and 1/2 hours every day (120 miles of commuting) with a salaried job that I actually love (not so fond of the commute), I crave the en-femme time more than ever.
Can any of us learn from this? I don't know. But I suspect it clearly demonstrates that the innate desire to dress in skirt and heels is not really a choice. It isn't for the sexual thrill, even if it once perhaps was. It just feels right. I was 100% comfortable in a dress or blouse and skirt every day, and I am now 90% uncomfortable in drab all the time. I can't say I look forward to being unemployed ever again, but I can say that the experience was truly a gift, and I am glad I seized the opportunity.
Hugs to all of you, and sorry to have been gone from the forum so long.
Glad you found work hon! Now about that $5'er ya own me??? Just kidding!!!
As for your neighbor, the first thing that came to mind was, perhaps he would have enjoyed a pleasant conversation with a pretty girl once in a while?
Don't know what your new job entails, but some of us wear panties and hose and cami's and some neutral make-up and nail polish and paint our toes and gently pluck our eye brows, that is unless your job is a male stripper or pole dancer or you pose nude for some art class --- just kidding.
Glad you are back and hope to hear more from you, dear!!!
Love ya,
Virginia
First star to the right, then straight on 'till mornin!