Wally, Canada (he/him)

“Change is scary. Coming out, in the moment, honestly kind of sucks. […] But once it's died down a bit, after a few days, you'll realize how much freer it is. Calmer.”

Was there a definitive moment you realized you were trans? How old were you?

I never felt quite like a girl. As a toddler, even, I assumed the names of male characters I admired, insisted my family call me "Mike the Knight" or "Iron Man", haha.
Then school started, and, even though I didn't understand it, I saw the divide between the boys and the girls. And apparently I was a girl.
At nine, I learned about transgender people. I felt jealous, but didn't know why.
At eleven, I fantasized about having cancer just so I could get my chest cut off.
At twelve, after my sibling and a friend of mine came out as different sorts of queer, I started researching.
She/her, but I was definitely bi, I thought.
She/they. Pan.
She/he/they, and I realized that being aro/ace was a thing.
He/they. Aro/ace. Just nearly there.
At thirteen, I denied I was trans. I really didn't want to be.
A few months before my fourteenth birthday, I realized, and I was scared.

How soon after did you start to make changes? What were these changes?

At fourteen, I came out to a select few friends.
At fifteen, I came out to my parents.
And now I'm about to start the process for getting testosterone.

Have these changes started to make you feel more comfortable in your life and body?

Yes. Absolutely yes. I cannot wait to start T.

What would you tell your younger self? Would you do anything differently?

To not be so afraid. I thought that admitting I was trans was some sort of failing on my part. Like I couldn't control myself enough to stop it. I was wrong.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

To folks out there who know your loved ones will be supportive but are still scared, I get it. Change is scary. Coming out, in the moment, honestly kind of sucks. (For folks writing letters, include more information in the letter than "I'm trans." Really helps with avoiding awkward questions.) But once it's died down a bit, after a few days, you'll realize how much freer it is. Calmer.

Have the gender-affirming steps you’ve taken impacted your overall happiness and sense of well-being?

Yes.