The next big transition in my life...

[@jackisnotabird]

What's a big change you've made in your life that was really hard for you to push yourself to do? And if you're someone who has transitioned, do you often find yourself comparing other big life changes to that experience? Because obviously I do, lol

[@FFigueira]

i'm unfortunately on the "years thinking about it prior to taking action" part of the big risk 😅 maybe like you since i just hit 25 i'll take the plunge lol

[@micahroberts8383]

Big steps I've taken: -Leaving Christian fundamentalism -coming out as bisexual -leaving Christianity -coming out as an atheist -proposing to a woman pre-marriage equality in Ohio -ending the relationship -leaving Ohio and moving to Philly -deciding I want to be a parent -coming out as polyamorous -coming out as non-binary - starting HRT and coming out as a trans man -reconnecting with Christianity (but the progressive kind this time) - starting the parenting journey with my partner Probably other stuff, too. I'm kind of always changing and growing, honestly. My next goal is to own a house and learn to maintain our land, though. So, it seems we are on the same millennial farmer dream journey there, lol! Best of luck in the new space!

[@shannonwalls7573]

Now that I know I'm clinically anxious, I understand my increasing fear as my wedding day got closer. I'd beg my love to just run down the street to the court house; I'd wake up at 2 a.m. with my heart pounding. It was the right choice - we've been together most of your life! But wow, big change, that dozens of people were going to witness - scary!

[@Kerlasia]

Going back to school after 10 years... Last time I was in school, I was still presenting female and hadn't the slightest clue I would be retrying again in a decade as a man. Lmao... Also, I totally get that nature yearning thing. Opposite to you, I grew up in Tokyo then moved to American suburbia, but after 13 years I definitely would not want to move back to a large city. Also also, unrelated but I love your earrings and sense of fashion dude

[@PastorShawn100]

Glad to see the waffle irons are making the move! Best of luck to you in this move!

[@NonBinary_Star]

"I couldn't see my future like that." this is 💯 exactly the embodiment of how I make a lot of tie breakers and big decisions too.

[@Evalkitti2]

Hey. Jackson. How in the world did you manage to make a 16:25 video that had the same feel as a masterful 90-minute documentary? Well-done.

[@jackisnotabird]

My documentary filmmaking minor finally making itself useful 🙏🏻

[@NikeAgXY]

As someone who just moved out of NYC this past month after wanting to leave for several years, it was very cool to see someone else taking the same step! It reminds me that people have always been quietly making these same big choices, and I like that feeling of inheriting my big leaps from the folks who took them before. Makes me wonder if I'll feel the same rush of inheriting a history when I eventually get my top surgery 😂

[@jackisnotabird]

Whoa "inheriting a history" is such a cool term! And congrats!

[@NikeAgXY]

@@jackisnotabird Thanks, and congrats to you too! I hope our respective moves are what we're hoping for :)

[@transnightwalker7973]

My transition was something that ultimately led to me making other big changes and having the nerve to do it. I had wanted to be a trucker since I was in college but always let people talk me out of it. A few years into my transition, once I used my old job’s insurance to pay for top surgery, I quit that job that was making me miserable and became a trucker. It’s not an easy life, especially being trans while doing it in the current political climate but I’m so glad I finally did it. The fear and uncertainty of starting trucking, which is so drastically different from anything I’d done before, definitely reminded me of preparing to come out and start hormones. Having gone through coming out and transitioning, though, I knew I could handle becoming a trucker where before it, I let my fear and the fear of others keep me trapped in dead end jobs I hated.

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

Man's looking more attractive and happier every time l see him.

[@ItsRadishTime]

this was so beautifully done. even though i intend to stay in the city for the rest of my life, that leaving sequence got me misty eyed. good luck in this next chapter and i hope your new place has room for at least one pumpkin plant!

[@furbytoothpaste]

The last two days I had been rewatching your videos in mental preparation for top surgery on Tuesday and imagine my surprise when I saw a new video! Congrats on the big life change :)

[@newsjunkie7135]

Good luck with your top surgery!

[@sawyercormstv1972]

How do you always make make content that speaks directly to me every time!! I came out to my family with your book. Now, I’m planning a very scary move across the country. You are an excellent filmmaker, and expertly portray the feeling and emotions you are experiencing.

[@Smiles0924]

Your video and book found me at the exact time I needed them in life. I moved away from a small town bigoted area to a large city as well. Getting away from the toxic environment allowed me to be myself but my family will never really understand and I have come to terms with that. I have my life that I built with my wife and couldn’t be happier. Thank you for all the you do Jackson! We all look forward to seeing more of you!

[@valerie2776]

Congrats Jack! Enjoy the slower lifestyle/context. This year marks a decade since I moved out to Missoula and I’ve been really leaning into the associated nostalgia and reflecting. Moved to MT without ever having visited before and only “internet knowing” a couple people. I am so settled and rooted now, have owned a home for 6 years, do not see myself leaving ever. And I’ve grown so much mentally and socially in that time. Looking forward to seeing the parts of your life you deign to share. Esp the farmer arc!!!

[@ffinnisonn]

As u left NY & saw the skyline you said “why the hell am I leaving” & kept lookin back. But i’m here to say - all of my biggest & best decisions in life have been accompanied by that exact feeling, that “why”, & the answer is always that you know you’ll be happier! I’m so glad you made this choice for yourself & I hope it’s going better than you even imagined - even if things are rough sometimes, you’ll never look back & wish you hadn’t & sometimes that’s the point (:

[@ffinnisonn]

2) as for whether or not I personally compare my life decisions to cis people or other trans people, absolutely I do, but I’ve been realizing I’m much happier when I focus on my own choices more… when I just make the next right step for me I can look back & be confident I’ve done my best - which is I think what you’ve been doing, & you should be very proud of where you’re at even when it’s sometimes jarring or scary/stressful

[@MaryE171]

Wow, huge kudos on making this big life change! My big life change was moving TO New York 7 years ago, and I'm just now starting to wonder if my long-term future is staying here or finding another home base. Judging by how teary I got watching you drive away from the skyline, it ain't time yet! I wish you all the best in the new place, looking forward to your next videos.

[@mariannetfinches]

Congratulations on the move! It may not be all you dreamed of, but if my wife has taught me anything, it's that the most minor of house projects can become a full length epic if you get into enough detail. I'm sure once you hit your stride you'll have no end of ideas for projects

[@AskALibbieist]

First time seeing your channel, just stumbled across it on the algorithm. I’ve been able to get self-sufficient on a little scrap of land and it’s truly a wonderful experience. I hope you get to experience it for yourself soon. ❤

[@deannanetzer9043]

Jack!!!!! So incredible, you inspire me. I really resonated with your statement about how everyone else can only see present you, while you are fully set in the future vision you are dreaming of. After making the huge leap from Florida to NYC, I finally feel that years-long need fulfilled, and it has been a huge weight off my shoulders. It really allows you to trust yourself more and not be so afraid to dream. We only have one life, and I’m so glad you did what you needed to do for YOU! Can’t wait to visit 😊

[@blaue_blue]

I come from a very small town, under 10,000 people, and I am now still living in a small town. I always wondered what it would be like to live in a city, especially because there's more opportunity in a bigger cities, but I feel like I'd go crazy in just a few weeks. I definitely don't have the backbone for it. I've only been to New York once, and it was beautiful, but drab. Being surrounded by greenery, trees, and more quietness is serenity. I wish you luck in your endeavors and I always really enjoy your videos - your perspectives are wonderful and well-thought out. I enjoy hearing you share your thought processes through all of the things in your life.

[@Waywardtrickdogs]

I'm excited to hear you'll probably start posting more videos

[@GregsGarage]

Congrats on your move to the "burbs!" Also, congrats on bringing a close to the 14 year realization of your NYC dream... As one of our fellow YT creators says - "F- dreams, make plans." You have proven that route is the path to success.

[@julian8038]

I'm so glad this video came up on my page today :) I'm so happy for you and excited to see your journey! As for the question, I got 2 answers. One is the moment I finally asked for help in recovering from addiction. It was so hard to trust people, and so unfathomable to imagine my life sober. I didn't think I could do it, but I took a leap of faith, and I don't regret it at all. It's improved my life so much, and for the first time, I have a beautiful support network of loving friends. Which leads me to my 2nd answer. I'm starting HRT! Again, lol. I was on it very briefly 2 years ago, but stopped because I was afraid I'd end up ugly. I've realized now how harmful that was for me. It took a lot of courage to blatantly come out to people and seek support about my fears over HRT. But I got nothing but support, and I'm not too scared anymore. I'm just so looking forward to all the healing and joy transitioning will bring me

[@lokiz0072]

Ok that first part made me realize I’ve been watching you forever.

[@waffles3629]

Being unable to see a future for yourself is very relatable. I didn't either prior to coming out. I was a miserable sheltered kid who had been raised in the Catholic Church. Thankfully I got out of all that and recovered. I'm still not sure where my life will lead, but I have hope now and that's huge. I'd rather be hated for being myself, than hate myself.

[@nonamedragon444]

7 mo on T. After a crazy rollercoaster of 28 years of questioning being trans I finally committed. Then cancer happened and completely pushed out all of my surgeries and lost all of the hair that finally started to give me euphoria. I will admit I got a little lost. I’m glad I found this update from you. The kick in the arse I needed. Thank you and I wish you the best in your new chapter in life!

[@PeripheralPink]

Such a cool video Jackson! I'm glad to still be subscribed to you after all these years and I'm excited to come along on this new journey.

[@LockedInBoi]

I moved from my ex's family home to my own apartment. A major change and a big step for me but I was excited and nervous. Still getting used to everything but things are going well so far

[@tsubasacam]

It was such a beautiful video✨I’m actually moving to New Zealand from Japan and it is exciting but I’m still figuring out how I want my life would be like. Language is a huge difference but other than that, it’s just life. At the end of the day, what defines your happiness is yourself. What am I saying…

[@sleepfulwillow]

I recently decided to start my own business and this has come out at the perfect time when I was doubting that decision and trying to avoid fully taking the plunge even knowing that to fail and not have tried what I could would be so much worse than to fail but to have done all that I could. It's so easy to avoid doing things that you know you want just because it won't perfectly match up to how it is in your head

[@annemcrowell]

Same here! I feel sure that it's going to feel worth it once I finally get my business up and running, but right now there's a lot of high stakes but incredibly not fun things I have to get through like learning about taxes and stuff. I can feel myself stalling because this part of the process is not the end result I dreamed of. Good luck with your business!

[@suspendedsecond]

super stoked for you! that shot of the welcome to mass sign - if that's where you've landed then welcome to the state!

[@jeanjuarez3587]

Congrats Jackson! Love your courage and new crib!!!🎉

[@jayflight5351]

2 years ago I moved from Atlanta to a medium sized town on the west coast for grad school (but also because I was suffocating in a massive city like Atlanta). Being able to live a life style much closer to my ideal one has allowed me to grow in ways I literally didn't know were possible. So excited for you! And yes, absolutely, transitioning taught me so much about following my heart despite others' reactions and making big life changes with confidence.

[@mahalojaydog]

Thanks! It was so good to see your video. Changes are not always easy but opportunities that follow can be amazing. I can relate to the changes in life. I have moved away from family for spiritual reasons and I have moved across country for new jobs to shift my career. I am who I am in part because of each of those transitions but the best one of all is bringing my internal me to the external.

[@jackisnotabird]

Thanks so much! And good luck on your journey :)

[@LaurenTheLiterary]

congrats, can’t wait to see what you create in this new space!

[@xChristinarawr]

I've been following you since the Will It Waffle?days and in the time I've moved to New York, left New York, moved a couple other times, and am now considering moving back for grad school (if I can get in). Which I guess is an ongoing change I've been trying to push myself to do after years of waiting for the right time, but I guess I haven't landed squarely on the "do it" part yet.

[@jam-yh3bl]

really wonderful video, you're a very wise guy and i always like hearing what you have to say about stuff! all the best in setting everything up in your new life! i just came back from spending 10 months studying abroad in germany which was a massive change - definitely hard to figure out how to settle there when i knew i'd be moving on so soon, but overall it was a worthwhile experience!

[@DigitalShepherd]

Safe Travels Jackson! We're working on a move as well. We'd love to have you part our new neighborhood!

[@anomalily]

Excited you have decided to take the plunge and do it, Jackson!

[@carolynedwards2290]

It’s so good to see you again!

[@BeccaMoses]

[@billy7958]

I always appreciate your courage and thoughtfulness. Funnily enough, I’m just about to make a move from South Florida to Chicago. I wanted to be around a bigger queer community, and I’m very excited about the place I just got approved for.

[@maonbass]

Congrats, Jack! i've been following your channel and journey for about 8ish years now, and I hope you enjoy this new chapter in your life. It's funny, as you questioned about big changes I've realized I haven't been through a big change yet, at age 25. Life's going pretty regular so far (school, then college, then work etc). I think the biggest decision recently was buying my first bass guitar at age 25 to just give it a go after over 10 years of just wanting to be a bass player. But there's so much more I would like to do, especially as a questioning LGBT+ person who also dreams of moving to a big city haha. So I'm happy you shared this experience with us 'cause it got me thinking about the big (and necessary) changes I've been postponing myself. My best wishes to you!

[@rainbowtropolis]

I love the beginning, packing all the waffle irons. Good times Jackson! Good times ☺ You can always have more than one home 👍 I love the woodwork in your new place, and did I see a Topo Chico soap dispenser? Do tell! 😃Hand made? This was a great video, well put together, made me a little misty-eyed of course. I've been following you since 2016 when I started my transition and was looking for help of any kind and turned to KZbin because I live in a small town (roughly 8,000 ppl) and had no support. I got so much information from channels like yours that I didn't give up and just go back to pretending I was a girl for everyone else's sake (that "don't stir the pot" mentality) I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being on here and sharing your journey, it helped me not feel so alone and also taught me a few extra things that I never would have thought about (your series with your doctor/nurse interviews) Thank you for being the awesome you that you are! 💯 I transitioned later in life, I started in 2016 at 39 (roughly) and I've moved all over the place, had many jobs. Transition seemed like "then next chapter towards happiness" in my book of life so far. I also had to give up my job and go on disability. Scary AF in the beginning, but well worth the journey!

[@charlieodell883]

So happy for you man!

[@sanjilone7278]

I'm happy you are pursuing your own happiness and I hope this move is everything you could want it to be!

[@billiecoward9446]

I had my first big move (if we aren’t counting college or anything like that since it was still in state) like 2 years ago because of my transition because I was in a solid very red state. I basically didn’t have an option to medically transition if I stayed there. I live in New England (I’m the opposite though; I’ve always preferred big cities but I also dealt with small town life most of my life and didn’t like it) and I’ve been on T for 1.5 years now and I have my name change court date on Tuesday! I first figured out I’m trans ftm at 16 so this transition has been like a decade in the making at this point. But i definitely relate to about how if you don’t see a certain aspect of your current life working in your future you should change it. I definitely could not see how staying in the Bible Belt as a LGBT person was going to work out; but at the same time I just didn’t know how getting out of there was going to work until it did. I’m the type of person who needs every detail of a plan to be planned out and if it’s not I get stressed out haha. So far I’ve been to multiple New England states but I’ve only driven through Massachusetts, I haven’t visited properly yet but it’s on the to do list!

[@sustainfem]

Good for you!

[@jacksonduxbury]

Thank you for showing these stages. Its such a meaningful example that we get to grow up! We get to grow older and change through life's stages even when promised some hypothetical life of dissatisfaction and misery. I'm proud to have stolen the name "Jackson" as my own too from you all those years ago.

[@brenvanpelt]

I recently moved abroad for my wife’s education. It’s certainly been easier to explain to people than coming out! 😂

[@frameshifty]

Congrats on making big changes in your life! Glad to be along for the ride.

[@tuckerphez]

Congrats on the move! And good luck on your next adventure! I’m cis (and bi) but I’m looking at moving soon so a lot of this video really hit home.

[@mortenbecks2017]

Great to hear from you!

[@salamanda11]

Congrats on the move! A huge change for me recently was having a baby in January, and man is life different. We live outside of DC, and it is not worth it for us. We would love to move somewhere to be with family and not have terrible commutes. How did you decide where you wanted to move?

[@archmagexiv]

So proud of you!!!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@Charlotte-hv6ll]

Congratulations

[@SteveShields100]

Congratulations.

[@newsjunkie7135]

Hey, thanks for still making videos! (Even if it's one a year, lol!) It means a lot to me to see a trans man thriving! And I'm so happy for you that you get to live your dream now!

[@cameronthemonster]

I love how you make videos and that we get these life updates! Keep sharing!! -Cameron Spivey

[@jackisnotabird]

Ah thanks, Cameron! Hope you're doing well!

[@eustacia03]

Welcome to Massachusetts? I think? Your house may not beperfect BUT you have a fireplace!

[@ntcssj]

I love your videos and it's great to see a new one! I had one of the most stressful autumn/winters last year and that ended up with a break up and some roommate changes and it's been a HUGE breath of fresh air but also so many things to be thinking about. I had given up hope on so many things and letting go of certain people in my life and inviting in these new people and getting the right people I needed in my life have been so life changing. I've been out as non-binary for 10 years but after this break up and with inspiration and support of a new roommate/close friend I've been diving deeper into honouring my queer masculinity and considering medical transition stuff that I never had before. It's been quite a time of self-reflection and resting from burn out and totally relate to wanting to be at the end result of something when there's the slower, less shiny everyday kind of things that need to happen and continue for goals to actually come to fruition. All the best with your new home and life! This is exciting!

[@cherylcarlson3315]

Had a queer couple move to our small town block last year. Moved into the 87yo widow's house and immediately disparaged everything. Very evident 'he' wasn't stable on meds verbally abusive of husband and wanted constant attention to being trans and being uber masculine. Ripped out planting,got a rescue husky pup to play with cats alone in house,put up greenhouse right behind garage,under walnut tree then moved it squarely under 150 yo spreading oak. Did I mention everything was about being queer reinvention? Point is think about fitting in a bit. I accept people as who they are. Iquestion demeaning a spouse, thinking a husky will abandon it's nature to act like a mature Labrador retriever, that plants will thrive in shade on north side, that you can make a living selling candles in a town with 29%poverty, that elderly woman would update her home from the 1990 decor, that northern winters are actually cold. Basically, understand that most people around you have quietly re-created themselves in a thousand ways... blend!

[@rieily527]

Where did you get a can of Surge? Did they bring back Surge, is this how I'm finding out?

[@jackisnotabird]

They brought it back like twelve years ago and I still have a few cans. This one started leaking after the move so it lived in my sink until I was finally able to part with it.

[@rieily527]

@@jackisnotabird A good man died that day and his loss is felt by all

[@null.psyche]

I’m curious to know if you’re still in NY State or if you moved to a different state?

[@aidenlearns]

As a rural trans guy that watched your videos obsessively for years when I was closeted, seeing you move out of the city to someplace quieter, echoing a lot of the dreams I had about vegetable gardening and space to myself and making the rest of life up as you go, this warms my heart. I've had my own place that matches your dream for six or seven years now, and have been out publicly for three of them. It's not always easy, especially right now, but being able to sit on the porch and listen to the rain, or walk outside and look up at a sky full of stars, has been 100% worth it for me. Like you I agonize over big decisions and debate myself for years, but both transitioning and living where I do have worked out for the best in the long run. A while ago a lesbian couple moved into the nearest house, and that has given me back a lot of community. I have a flourishing social life online as well, with many of us regularly traveling to visit each other. Three years ago I had one online friend to my name after coming out, and the future was bleak. Now I am connected to people again and happier than I have ever been. Taking care of a larger property is hard work, especially on your own. It can be exhausting and take up much of your available time. But if you love fresh air and trees and figuring out how to make things flourish around you as much as you are internally, it's worth all the work. I wish you all the luck with that pumpkin patch and any other projects you try. Thank you for being a presence and a comfort all along the way for my own transition. Here's hoping my beard will fill out as good as yours in the next few years! lol

[@spinogreen0iq]

I love seeing trans people thriving, just living their lives!

[@tarahlavinka2866]

Will houses waffle?

[@PirateZ1]

So proud Jack! You're such a big inspo I am AMAB and and coming to terms with me being trans after 30 years. Your videos have helped A LOT in these past months of trying to accept myself. It was so important for me to hear perspectives of men like yourself about their trans identities 🏳‍⚧❤ Best of luck in your new chapter!

[@penguin112493]

Yeah so my dumb roommate decided to pick up his life and move out into the woods and that has been a big transition for me!!!

[@RedDialogue]

You love transitioning don't you /j

[@jackisnotabird]

It's the spice of life, baby!

[@Pogo9and3quarters]

Okay I'm only 4 minutes in to this video but when are we getting the Hallmark movie?? All Jackson wanted was a little pumpkin patch to call his own... he didn't expect to meet the love of his life... it practically writes itself!

[@RickyMaveety]

Good luck, kid. Most of those small towns are pretty small brained. Don’t tell them about your prior life. I tried living in Texas, and they tried to lynch me for voting for Obama.

[@janistransbian]

i was chiefdancingostriche. new channel name NBCWASWRONGTOCANCELQUANTUMLEAP. my chosen name is janis and i am a transwoman. been on hrt for about 2 and a half months.

[@sustainfem]

How dare they cancel Quantum Leap?!!! I loved that show.