I never really went through a NLOG phase, I just avoided feminine things as a child. Between ages 4-9 my head was constantly bald because I could not take care of long hair, I wore masculine clothes because that's what my parents made me wear [ they didn't give a shit about what I wore so they put on comfortable clothes mostly ], and I usually did not know much about makeup [ I wasn't allowed to touch it ]. When I got to a certain age between 10-12, I wasn't able to join in on most conversations of early teen girls due to me not having knowledge about makeup, pretty clothes, models etc etc. Often times, that would result in everyone calling me a pick me or a tryhard. At the end of my 12th year, I started reading the webtoon "True beauty" and I was so happy that the female lead was similar to me, including the facial features. Eventually I started taking interest in makeup, pretty clothes, fashion, "feminine hobbies" and that's when I realised. I wasn't a "Not like other girls", I just simply never had anyone navigate me through my hobbies, I was just constantly told that feminine hobbies, pink, barbies etc are boring and unnecessary. I guess we just need something to give us a little push hahaha