Sorry in advance for the depressing thread, but I don’t have anyone in my life with trans experiences and I need advice on what I’m feeling.

As much as we might wish we could waking up one morning with the body of a gorgeous k-pop idol or something, the fact is reality doesn’t work that way. And this kind of thing is what I’m struggling with the most, the fact that I’m always going to struggle with body hair and masculine features.

I was on HRT for one month, and still have the relevant medications in my bathroom, but stopped. Partially due to lack of support, but mostly due to self-doubt and lack of confidence that I’ll ever be happy with how I look. I just couldn’t see the woman inside coming out.

I kept asking myself: what would be worse? Constantly wishing I could successfully transition, or transitioning and having to live with never being able to pass? This became additionally concerning with the uptick in abuse against trans people.

Part of me feels guilty for stopping and falling back on the safe suffering I already know, and a part of me feels guilty for giving up, part of me is scared of all the new things I’ll have to learn if I re-start, and another part of me is concerned about how my partner would feel if I started again, I know she doesn’t approve but doesn’t want to say so.

For those of you who are/were larger, or taller, or older, or more hairy, how did you manage these concerns? For those of you without resources in your life to aid your transition, how did you get support?

Thank you for reading.