In the past, I've experienced anxiety over figuring out my gender identity as this discrete, identifiable aspect of myself that must exist and need to be "discovered" and possibly expressed through medical transition.

But actually you don't need to, you can just vibe

If you're not a Millenial or Gen-Z who grew up on the woke online world, it's hard to express how much ambient pressure and anxiety there can be around nailing down these traits about yourself. You want to plant your flag and join your tribe

I think a lot of young people end up trying to prematurely nail down an identity when they'd be better served by chilling out, getting to know themselves slowly, and seeing what they are comfortable with. both in sexuality and "gender expression," whatever that means to you

I'd tell my younger self: there's no secret identity written in your heart, no "nonbinary" truth waiting within to be discovered. You just have to learn to listen to your natural proclivities, and you naturally understand yourself better as you grow up

(and I do know sexuality and gender identity are very different concepts, but I put them together in this thread because I think both are areas of contention and anxiety for us young internet gals)

I just think it would be helpful to get away from gender identity as something to be diagnosed and "solved," with all the attendant anxieties, medical procedures, and permanency implied.