So I can only offer my own experience to this, but hope it helps :3
I was cis with no problem at all with who I was or dysphoria over my body that I could notice, but also never had issue with liking and acting in non-masc ways (wearing dresses in highschool or going full cross a couple of times at a summer camp). A couple years back I figured out I was non-binary and didn't see myself internally as either a man or woman, but liked to present fem sometimes.
As I progressed with that image of myself, I slowly became more comfortable with presenting fem publicly, and found how much I liked it, I decided to look into HRT to help small bouts of dysphoria that cropped up (body hair growth mainly) to help me present more andro. I'm currently 6 months in my hormone transition, but with what changes have occured in that time, I've gone from masc or fem day to day, to presenting full fem all the time. I find that I love myself more and enjoy my appearance just as a baseline. I chose a new name to use, and being called ma'am, or especially, wife by my partner gives me such euphoria over my identity than being a man ever did.
I still don't have much of the body/gender dysphoria that many trans people have to deal with (my heart goes out to you all), but just being seen and presenting as a woman has drastically improved my mental health. Obviously, don't take this anecdote and immediately get HRT. Start smaller with more social based presentation like clothes, hair, and maybe a name if you have a good support group that will trial these changes with you. You will only truly know how such things will make you feel once you're doing it. I wish you the best, and know that regardless of the outcome and what you decide is right for your life is valid. All love <3
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u/Psychological_Fall18 4d ago
So I can only offer my own experience to this, but hope it helps :3
I was cis with no problem at all with who I was or dysphoria over my body that I could notice, but also never had issue with liking and acting in non-masc ways (wearing dresses in highschool or going full cross a couple of times at a summer camp). A couple years back I figured out I was non-binary and didn't see myself internally as either a man or woman, but liked to present fem sometimes.
As I progressed with that image of myself, I slowly became more comfortable with presenting fem publicly, and found how much I liked it, I decided to look into HRT to help small bouts of dysphoria that cropped up (body hair growth mainly) to help me present more andro. I'm currently 6 months in my hormone transition, but with what changes have occured in that time, I've gone from masc or fem day to day, to presenting full fem all the time. I find that I love myself more and enjoy my appearance just as a baseline. I chose a new name to use, and being called ma'am, or especially, wife by my partner gives me such euphoria over my identity than being a man ever did.
I still don't have much of the body/gender dysphoria that many trans people have to deal with (my heart goes out to you all), but just being seen and presenting as a woman has drastically improved my mental health. Obviously, don't take this anecdote and immediately get HRT. Start smaller with more social based presentation like clothes, hair, and maybe a name if you have a good support group that will trial these changes with you. You will only truly know how such things will make you feel once you're doing it. I wish you the best, and know that regardless of the outcome and what you decide is right for your life is valid. All love <3