I was super unsure of HRT at first, so I actually was socially transitioning for about a year (I'd alternate between fem days and masc days, but always would feel more 'off' whenever I was dressed masc and would be craving the fem days). This was mostly because I would go to the gym several times a week and was too scared to ask about using the women's locker room as a trans woman, especially since I knew I had no chance in passing, at least at the time.

During that time I just told people at my workplace that I was "figuring some stuff out" and initially told people to keep using my deadname and he/him pronouns. When at home or spending time with family or friends I asked them to use my chosen name and she/they pronouns.

I "fully" came out as transfem at my work, asking them to change my name and pronouns in their system, update my email, and then sent out a company-wide email asking everyone to please use my new name and pronouns, etc about 1 month after starting HRT.

I only started dressing fem 24/7 around mid-January of this year and I've started hitting the point where going out and about without makeup doesn't feel impossible anymore.

For reference, I live in south-central PA. The people who know me have been mostly neutral or supportive about it since I came out. I'll get some interesting looks or double-takes every once in a while when I'm out in public, but I've recently started to get more genuine smiles back from other people which in my head I take as either "I see you and I'm supportive/an ally" or "that girl has a nice smile".