I just found an artefact in my closet that showed me I'm healing... and I cried.

I used to wear MASSIVE hoodies almost every day of my life. I mean, like, X-X-X-X-X-X-XL, and No, I didn't stutter. I was nearly 400Lbs and I needed room to move.

Winter? Hoodie. Summer? Hoodie. Beach? Hoodie. Wedding... funeral... birthdays... hoodies.

Roll on to today.

My wardrobe, and home, are FULL of clothes, So I decided to get them ALL out and donate or bin whatever I forgot I owned.

As I pulled them all out, and sorted them, I got a shock.... three 5Xl hoodies.

I sat and stared at what was in my hands... Three rolled up bundles of pain.

I started to cry as I recalled what they stood for. The hate... the hurt... the suffering...

Then I realised... I forgot they existed! It had been so long since I needed them that they didn't even exist in my mind! It must be two years since I've worn them, and I don't think I like that style of hoodie any more. I now only wear form fitting L hoodies with zips, so I can "show off", in the words of my cis-F GF, who is smaller in the chest department than I am.

I looked in the mirror and I saw just how far I had come. I'm not finished yet. But for the first time, in a long time, I can honestly say... HE is gone, and only the REAL me remains.

Life is a funny thing. 170 Lbs down, Chest at a natural 44E, and lower surgery about 1 year away... I'm neraly there.

I'll make it, or die trying!