I went through every single one of those “signs” and when I started researching more about trans guys and their experiences, I finally related to a group for the first time in my life so I thought I must be trans.

I think it’s a combination of a lot of things, I didn’t really have any female role models, let alone lesbians. And most of the lesbians I saw in media weren’t very gender nonconforming so it was hard to relate. But it’s definitely a thing butch women experience too, but for different reasons.

Try to experiment with different presentations, even if you’re by yourself. Pay attention to how you feel if anyone calls you he/him, is it comfortable or uncomfortable? And why? For me I realized I liked the idea of being a man, more than actually being one. I looked at straight men with envy, but once I started labeling myself as one it just felt...not me? It’s okay to take your time with it!

Also, a big problem I’m still trying to unlearn is, I have this unrealistic idea of what a woman actually is, based on what society has told me. So naturally, I feel detached from womanhood. It’s very hard to relate or identify with that cookie cutter norm and easy to think that transition is the only option when you’ve been told consistently how bad you are at “being a woman”.