Not understanding gender dysphoria before transition was like sitting with everyone having a glass of water but mine was salt water and I didn’t know it and couldn’t understand how everyone was drinking theirs so I choked mine down quietly until I nearly died from dehydration.

The reason I appreciate people talking about how dysphoria manifested for them is because it’s so subtle and integrated within our lives that without awareness denial comes easy. Reading about other people’s dysphoria helped me realize my water wasn’t supposed to taste like shit.

I think this is why cis folks have such a hard time understanding dysphoria and being trans too.

“Whaddya mean your water tastes weird? Water’s not really supposed to taste good. Yours looks just like mine, so I don’t see the problem! Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”

ps- I transitioned from salt water to La Croix since I’m a trans girl, so now not only does my water taste amazing, it’s got quite a bubbly appearance as well.

HRT is desalination.