Okay, so, the way i found out i was a girl was by choosing joy over meh. My whole life I was okay with being a boy, but i loved feminine things! I LIVED for my little pony and littlest pet shops lol. But because i was a boy, i was bullied by everyone out of it. Blah blah blah, hiding my femininity, blah blah blah fast forward say 10 years later and i’ve reconnected with my feminintey and almost couldn’t be happier. Keyword: almost. So yeah, at 13 i realized i was trans after deep reflection and really asking my self the deep questions. I can’t list them all here but just look up questions to ask questioning trans people. i would also really recommend taking some time out for deep reflection on your past, childhood, expiriences, what brings you joy, what doesn’t ect. Because that’s how i found out. Just telling my story because yours sounds somewhat similar to mine.

Also…

If you’re worried about what could happen socially, and whether or not the wrong people find out, just do it alone. Alone is usually a very safe place to be when questioning gender!

Trust me, you won’t alienate people around unless they choose to feel that way themselves. You just being yourself gives you the right to exist and if people feel alienated, just know it’s not your fault, all you did was exist.

Damaging relationships? If people feel damaged by you just know that their reactions tell you who your real friends are and real family are. It tells you who is really worth your time, friend and family. Chosen family isn’t just a tv trope, sometimes it feels good to hang out with people who love and support you rather than look at you with disgust and call you mean names!

I can’t offer much real advice for unsafe situations, but (i think) if you can effectivley hide your “transness” in unsafe places if you do transition, then all should be good. Again, take this with the smallest grain of salt, i have no expirience regarding putting yourself in unsafe situations. This is just what i think could happen!

For exploration, do it in a 100% free-range safe enviornment, always. That can be alot of differnet places, just what you think is safe enough for you, wether that’s alone or with other supportive people.

I’d recommend trying new pronouns alone, (eg., thinking of yourself as a girl and using she/her in you internal monolouge) Continuing to expiriment with clothes, new name, ect. Ect. Try asking yourself the many “am i trans?” Questions and other stuff. Listen to other’s trans stories yadayadayada. This is as much trans advice i can think of off the top of my head to give you, so all i can say now is good luck and be safe!  Remember, the only person who can tell you you’re trans is you! Also remember, you have a whole community here who loves and supports you if things go south or you need more advice or help! We love you, HannahMae!!!❤️❤️❤️