Read on Twitter
It's my FIRST anniversary of starting HRT!!
Seeing as it's also #TransAwarenessWeek
, I thought I'd share some thoughts about my first year. Trans people sharing their stories was vital to discovering myself, and I knew that I wanted to remain visible in my transition. (thread)
Seeing as it's also #TransAwarenessWeek
, I thought I'd share some thoughts about my first year. Trans people sharing their stories was vital to discovering myself, and I knew that I wanted to remain visible in my transition. (thread)
Transitioning under Covid has allowed me time to indulge in something I already excel at, which is introspection. It's been an extremely difficult year for everyone. But, aside from the pandemic and politics, on a personal level this has been one of the best years of my life.
(We'll get to the fun part soon)
I am much more confident in my presentation, identity, social ability, body, and a thousand other things. Since HRT I feel like I can finally tap into my emotions in a way that I never could before (even if at times they make me a total mess).
I am much more confident in my presentation, identity, social ability, body, and a thousand other things. Since HRT I feel like I can finally tap into my emotions in a way that I never could before (even if at times they make me a total mess).
Having said that, I have found that the "transition timelines" that get the most attention are from people who have amazing results and look conventionally attractive. I don't think that's me, and that is okay. I am 32, I'm not expecting miracles.
But I think it's important to share my transition as well. I know one year is still early days, but I haven't seen the changes in my appearance I would have liked to by now. And part of that was going in with unrealistic expectations from those highly visible success stories.
I take a photo every week with no makeup, no smile, in the same place and around the same time of day. These pictures are not flattering, but meant as a way to track progress on my facial appearance in an objective as possible way. Here is a selection of those.
In the photos above, I see very little change. Maybe a bit more roundness in my fat distribution. My complexion gets a bit darker but that is due to time of year (I turn into a ghost in the winter).
I'm hoping for more changes in year 2+, but I am learning to find myself beautiful regardless of any more visible changes to my face. As I said above, I have had MANY other positive changes from HRT. Hormones are magic and I can never see myself going back to how I was.
I used to be so numb and nihilistic. I never felt fully present in the world, nor fully human. I never planned for the future, because I couldn't see one I wanted. That all has changed completely in the last year. I've found myself and now can't wait to live my life.
Now the fun part. Here is a selection of selfies which at the time I took them, I considered them good/great. Here I CAN see changes. I can see changes in my confidence, in my presentation, in my eyes. This is the transition I came for, and can't wait to continue.
Here's to year 2, and everything it may bring. To everyone still reading, I love you and we'll get through this world together. 
