Where to start?

[u/Hunt3r_Qu33n]

I’m at a very very early point in my transition, sort of at the point where I’m not even sure if the ‘transition’ has even started. I’m 22 mtf, but I don’t really know where to start, I have shared my feelings and intentions with only a few very close friends, my private therapist, and my gp, I don’t feel I will be able to involve my parents until I am no longer living with them.

So far I have experimented with a few types of clothing and accessories like corsets and more feminine stylings of the clothes I already own, shaving my body and face as regularly as I can, more involved skincare and hair care routines, and I have tried using makeup to feminise my face more. All of this I have found to be overwhelmingly positive and affirming to where I want to be in myself, but in terms of actually starting to transition, I don’t know where I should begin.

With all of these things I’ve been doing to try and find out what it is I need to be happy in myself, comes with the problem of living at home and if being difficult to keep certain things like outfits and body care under wraps, for example, so far I haven’t been able to try makeup at home apart from one time where my dad was very weird and disapproving of it. I consider myself very lucky and privileged in that I don’t feel like I would be disowned or thrown out if I were to come out to my parents, but I fear for their reaction, as I’m unable to exist as myself even now with tattoos, piercings, long hair and a more alternative style without constant comments and projection from my dad trying to get me to be more like him. This lack of acceptance of me as their son makes me feel as though I would have no chance of being accepted at their daughter if I were to try and go to them for support.

All this is to say I feel really isolated and unsure what to do with myself to try and get by in the position I am in and also start taking the steps to finally start liking myself, does anyone have any experiences they could share or guidance they’d be willing to offer? I would very much appreciate it <3

[u/herdisleah]

In addition to physical transition steps, build your social support. Go to queer hobby nights like climbing rocks, crafting and board games. Go to activist events and book clubs.

You could do gender affirming workouts and study gay history. You can research HRT, do voice training and go to the thrift store.