Quote Originally Posted by Jorja View Post
As I am one of only a few here that transitioned fairly early, age 22, I really cannot understand how many of you could wait so long. For me, it was a driving need, a must, I simply had to transition as soon as possible or die. How did you manage to put off the intense feelings for so long? I understand family obligations, career obligations etc... Was it that you just did not realize it at that time?
Good question with no simple answer. At 22 I was in denial, telling myself this was just a crossdressing thing. I'd contemplate transition but then push the thought away. Because I was (and still am) attracted only to women, I'd assumed transition would cut off any relationship possibilities. It took me a while to realize that, duh, I didn't have to stay male to have a female partner. Seems obvious in hindsight, but it was a big worry for me. Otherwise, there were just many other things to deal with at that age: getting through grad school, recovering from the aftereffects of adolescence in a dysfunctional family, episodes of severe depression. Many things on my plate, of which gender dysphoria was only one. Transition didn't become a driving need until my early 30s, when I'd worked through most of the other issues.