Reflecting on 3 years:
Three years ago, I decided to take the first step to becoming a self-made man, and I stuck the testosterone patch to my belly.
This picture was from my birthday a month later.
I remember the first month being rocky: three periods and an allergy to the trans-dermal chemical in the patch, resulting in "pizza belly."
I still have scars on my thighs.
I wanted to start July of 2021, but the RN I saw with Planned Parenthood, disappeared from all that was, is, or will be, and the patches wanted reauthorization with my insurance, and were Hella expensive. So I was delayed 6 months. 6 months that almost broke me.
Once I got on injections, everything fell into place. I had more energy, I felt more myself, and I started to learn how to like myself a little more.
I legally changed my name and gender markers in October of 2022. That was an adventure of the legally system, but it finally worked out.
In July of 2023, I had top surgery, and now I can walk around without wearing a binder or a shirt if I'd like. It still feels strange to me at times to be shirtless. And I tend to be more modest.
I've gotten more into exercising, and I've lost a lot of weight for muscle, and I like being me. This may be a moderately abridged story. A lot has happened over the past 3 years.
But overall. I'm really happy just being me and continuing on my journey in my life as a man.
I've learned a lot and am looking forward to learning more.
