[notquitemale]

This is where I find myself at the moment; I have this intense desire to feel like a woman both inside and out, but I simply can't ever present as female. I'd be such a disappointment to my parents and an embarrassment to my children, and I simply don't have the emotional fortitude nor the courage to lose the people close to me. If I can transition in secret and still present male, then I am happy with that considering the alternatives.

My view is that certainly partial transition can be done. We all need to transition or not transition as slowly or quickly as we are ready and only we can tell when we are ready. For me I started with a little pm then bo looking for breasts passable as male but feminine. As time progressed I switched to hrt and now enjoy breasts which this summer are somewhat obvious. I am married  with a family and happily so. For me full transition is not wanted at this time but small steps accepted by my family and myself let me be feminine staying male. For years my wife has accepted my epilation of body hair and now hrt has thinned it out. My wife comments on my softer skin and thin hair spots on my head becoming fuller. In the last few months I have begun wearing a clear tint gloss nail polish... my wife commented it was nice. I've discovered tinted lip gloss for chapped lips that give my lips a nice glow of color but not totally obvious. Columbia makes a nice womens fleece jacket (I have 3 colors) which are not obvious but do enhance my curves.
How much farther will I go? I think not much farther. At this part I am comfortable at home and in public with patial transition.
Good topic.