Before I knew it was dysphoria? Dissociate by daydreaming and doing anything to shift my attention away from it. Now that I know it’s dysphoria? Like any other kind of anxiety: acknowledge it, label it, breathe, check in with yourself, change what you can right now, and plan to change what you can’t.

The closer I get to my HRT intake appointment, the more I’ve started to notice my negative thoughts and feelings, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and when I look ahead, I feel invigorated. The road is long and filled with obstacles, but all the signs say I’m on the right track.