Jonathan, Sweden (he/him)

“You don’t have to know that you are trans from birth, have depression and major dysphoria to be trans. You can like your life."

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

When I smoked weed and let go off all the social norms that are proscribed to “girls”. I was alone and not performing for anyone and try things without shame. I was around 17 years old.

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

I did not dig into the realization that I could be trans before the pandemic hit and I was once more alone. I tried a mustache filter. I tried she/they then she/he. I cut my hair even shorter. Drew on a mustache, black cayal. Not to look realistic bc I knew that it was to far away from being able to look like that.

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

I came into my queerness a lot more. It felt weird first bc i knew people didn’t see me like a guy. But when I started uni i had been out for a couple years and people around me tried and a lot succeeded in seeing me as a guy. I have started T and had top surgery earlier this years (2024) and I feel great, it’s how I am supposed to look like, what I feel comfortable as. It gets easier to just be in the world. Go without a shirt, swim.

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

To be honest with yourself and take time for yourself, sitting with your feelings. That you don’t have to know that you are trans from birth, have depression and major dysphoria to be trans. You can like your life. If it feels more like you to go through changes, do it.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share?

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

Yes.