How to Know if You're Transgender

Have you ever wonder if you're transgender? 

Can't come to a conclusion? Are you doubting yourself? With such an important question, it's extremely crucial that you answer it honestly. If you're struggling and need the extra help, then I have just the right tea to answer your question.

A Word of Caution

Before I spill the tea, we have to clear up a few housekeeping things. First, my experiences and stories are through my MTF (male to female) perspective (which still are of use to others). If you want to know more about me, here's my introduction.

Second, not everyone goes through the same hoops and hurdles. Some people know at a young age. Some figure it out later. I figured it out when I was 16, although I did have questioning times beforehand a few years prior.

The Secret to Knowing if You're Trans

If you want to cut to the chase, then this is the method that I used and encourage you to use as well; if you're questioning yourself in the first place, then you're probably transgender.

In other words, if you're here reading this blog, then you could absolutely be trans.

Why? Simply because cisgender people really don't ask themselves questions like this. 

Think of it; if you're comfortable and fine with your identity, then you wouldn't be questioning yourself. If you aren't ok with it, then that's where the pondering and confusion begins.

Ok, but So What?

Keeping the above in mind, the next steps are to further work out the details. Here are some prompts that I suggest ironing out:

• Were there any signs that hinted at you being trans?
• Have others talked to you about it before?
• How do you feel about your current self, e.g. body, current pronouns, etc?

Signs and Hints

This section is all about things that may have sparked you to question your gender identity. It helps to put together more information that may help resolve your problems/questions. To be clear, you don't need to be "x this and y that" to be transgender.

For instance, I never wore dresses or skirts as a kid, nor did I play with dolls. As a matter of fact, I lived the majority of my childhood seemingly as a normal boy (albeit a nerdy one at that). Looking back at it, however, I started noticing some characteristics of me that were sticking out.

Stereotypically, much like the idea of only girls wearing "feminine" attire (we'll get to those topics in the future so be sure to follow the blog), someone like me who is AMAB (assigned male at birth) should mainly make friends only with other boys.

I've always been a pretty shy kid growing up but when it came to making friends with the guys, it felt very awkward and uncomfortable. I wasn't able to connect and bring meaningfulness to the group. I was the kid that trailed along, only around because the others felt bad for me or just didn't care.

Instead, I tried my best to become friends with the girls and to an extent, I did with some. I just felt more at ease around them as opposed to being disgusted by the actions and words of many of the boys around me. From elementary school to high school and beyond, I've always connected and related with women more.

It's details like those that helped me to further confirm my identity as a transgender woman (if you look at it from the mindset of what is considered feminine by society and how it applies to women). While all the nooks and crannies may differ from person to person, the concept remains the same and I would not skip out on using it.

What Have Others Said?

Unfortunately, for this part, I do not have much experience dealing with this concept, due to the fact that I mostly learned everything about myself on my own and did my own research and analysis.

Why did I include something that I don't know a lot about doing? I did because I know that others can make good use of the idea.

Communication and feedback are extraordinarily useful when trying to discover yourself. People have different perceptions and biases, experiences, skills, and knowledge. These unique filters can be a benefit when you need to understand yourself better.

Have people talk to you about everything you want to talk about. Ask if they've noticed anything about you or, heck, maybe they've wanted to ask you all along if you're trans!

Be open and truthful with the people you trust and know will be able to help you. It's important that you tread these waters carefully because all it can take is one spill of the tea to ruin a relationship if the person on the other end does not support you.

What Do Your Feelings Say?

On to the last and most important part, your own feelings and thoughts about, well, everything.

Are you ok with your name? How about your pronouns? Body, voice, and sex characteristics? Would you be happier if you had an identity different than the one you were assigned with at birth?

If yes to some of them or even all, then the likelihood of being trans is higher because of a little thing known as gender dysphoria. These are what I would consider being some of the symptoms of gender dysphoria. 

They suck a lot. Trust me, I, like many others, am going through them right now. Part of the reasoning for transitioning for many is to quite literally combat the dysphoria. 

If you're confused about what gender dysphoria is all about, stay tuned for the next post, I'll talk all about it.

Final Thoughts

From start to finish, all the tea that I have spilled and went over in this post can be viewed in multiple different ways. Some people may agree with my opinions. Others may be a mixed bag. Even more, some may straight up disagree and perhaps have some not so nice things to say.

Regardless of what people have to say; understanding whether or not you're transgender is a question that thousands face every day. I used to struggle with it for months until I finally arrived at the secret that I've discussed.

If this post helped you in any way, shape, or form, I would so deeply appreciate it if you leave a comment down below. Share this post/blog if you liked it as well. Following and subscribing with the forms to the right column would also be much welcomed.

After all, you don't want to miss out on the tea that I have to spill such as the ins and outs of gender dysphoria in the next one!