Back as a Cis male, I was never good about positive compliements about my appearance. I always thought people were simply BSing me and that I didnt deserve it. I guess it was largely self loathing and having a very poor self image of myself. Transitioning made a huge difference in my self image, particuarly over the past 6 months now following weight loss surgery. I cant advise you on how to navigate your desire to transition along w/ your relationship w/ your Wife. I know that many marriages dont survive when a spouse transitions. FWIW, my Wife and I have been together for 40 years. And I wont candy coat it and say its been fine all the way. She has been very supportive of me, especially early on, when it was largely just playing "dress up". However it has become more difficult as things have gotten increasingly "real"; planning for surgery and more recently as my sexual orientation has shifted from being Lesbian to being a Bi/Straight woman. Even just being on HRT will shift your sexuality from male to female and make your "parts" pretty useles for intimacy in a male role. But the up side is that you can still experince intiancy as the woman you so obviousoy are :)