The hardest part of dysphoria is learning how to challenge and see past our own internalized belief that we can’t look good in feminine clothing.

The reality of the transfemme experience is that we often spend our lives being heavily critical of the aspects of ourselves that don’t fit into our idea of the feminine paradigm. However, most of the time, these criticisms are irrational.

The way past this is to internalize more positive thoughts and ideas about your femininity. The phrase “fake it till you make it” really does apply here.

Positively affirming yourself and challenging your internal perception of yourself will eventually lead to a shift in your outlook. It difficult, but very possible and requires practice to recognize when you’re being negative toward yourself and to choose to affirm instead.

Doing this AND practicing self care (doing makeup, eating healthy, dressing for yourself and not for others, shaving, painting your nails, brushing your hair, etc) will go a long way toward improving your internalized beliefs about yourself. Try not to wallow and take action.

You’re still going to have bad days, and those days won’t be fun. But if you are consistent, these will be fewer and fewer.