It’s shocking how similar our experiences can be - I remember reading Yes, You Are Trans Enough by Mia Violet in the first weeks after egg-cracking and social transition, and I was shocked how similar we were, even down to the internet subcommunities we were in as teenagers and so on.

I started thinking I was nothing like trans women, and after learning what trans women are like, I learned that I am a walking stereotype.

And beard shadow is the devil, I really thought I was indifferent to it, but apparently I am not. I hate the way I look when even a tiny amount of beard shadow is showing, not even enough for most people to notice.

I’m sorry you had someone point it out, ick - I avoided situations like that by socially transitioning as soon as my egg cracked, I came out immediately to everyone. That had its downsides, like trying to live as a woman and dress full fem without any HRT was extremely difficult, and looking back I realize now it was an unnecessary hardship.