This is a bait thread. These text posts are subtle attempts at getting this place banned or for your username to get added to a list, which you will lead you to be be harassed by predditors or banned outright.

They do this everywhere, not just on reddit. Anything that isnt heckin valid gets destroyed.

Reddit killed all my hobbyist discussion forums. The internet used to be a place of discovery and independent talent. Now its sterile, curated bullshit but I am forced to use it if I want to communicate with my hobbies communities.

I hate this place, but until it tanks like Digg, I will try my best to stay un-permabanned lol

Stop describing those feelings as "gender dysphoria" because so many people have different takes on it, and IMO, many emotions are mistaken as it.

Are your feelings of discontent? Depressed? Unhappiness with your appearance? Wanting relief, or an escape from your circumstances? What is it about your present lifestyle, environment, social circle, relationships, etc... that is bothering you? It is important to ask yourself these questions because it is very easy to just write it all off as "gender dysphoria" and become stuck in a cycle of depression and low self-esteem. You don't make progress in that cycle, and you do not experience personal growth. We need to get honest with ourselves if we ever want genuine change. That's true for everyone.

Most importantly, if you, a man, don't fit your own idea of what a man is, shouldn't that change your perception? We need to be expanding our beliefs on what it means to be a man, not restricting ourselves to fit in some unrealistic, idealized mold.

Agreed. We should be expanding what defines being a man or woman, not changing definitions entirely. My life became so much more fulfilling when I embraced being an effeminate man instead of transitioning. It's not easy, I never felt like I "fit", especially in my high-T, male-dominated hobbies, but at least I have the satisfaction of authenticity.

I was told that I had gender dysphoria but what I really had was soul sickness. I was so disconnected from myself, desperately trying to mold myself into a shape I could never fit. If there's one thing I truly dislike about the recent trans issues- it's the contradictory pushing of gender non-conformity while using gender stereotypes as a measuring stick. That's what messed me up.

So, I don't want to come off as dismissive or minimizing, but you are still so young, and pretty much all of us here have gone through similar situations to what you're going through. From a young teen to mid twenties is just emotional chaos, losing friends and gaining others, experiencing new things and not really sure exactly of where you fit in the world, and struggling to have a clear grasp on identity is all part of life.

My best advice for you right now is to seek out friends who are genuine and support you. You want to be around uplifting people. Anyone who would cut you down or make you feel like an outsider isn't your friend.

This also may not be relevant or relatable for you but I get a sense that, like some of us, you probably are constantly seeking an interest, hobby, fashion style, community, or whatever to create your identity around. That you just need to figure out the right "thing" and you will be a whole and complete person. The truth is that none of those things makes a person. What you say, what you do, and how you influence those around you make you who you are.

Be a friend to yourself, seek out positive friends, love those around you, and keep your chin up. This was always going to be a season of change and uncertainty in your life, and take comfort in that fact. It's okay to feel how you're feeling. <3

I mean... social media isn't necessary. I cut out Facebook entirely about 3 years ago, but I still use messenger because I can keep in contact with friends. Instagram? I don't see anything I dont want to. Reddit? Same deal, if you avoid r/all Twitter? Literally nothing to gain by visiting that place, unless you want to pointlessly, and endlessly argue with someone who might just be a bot.

So much of the chaos and stress in the world right now is immaterial. Manufactured. It only exists because we allow it to. I'm not saying there isn't bad shit going on everywhere, but our collective response of overconsumption of social media and the sharp rise of political participation has made it feel inescapable. It's choking the light of so many people.

Turn it all off for a few days and see how you feel. Food for thought :)

I think its destroying our attention spans honestly. What helps me is having the screen time widget right in the middle of my home screen. It divides up my app and phone use by color on a little bar and I can't avoid looking at it. It also tells me weekly how many hours I have used less than the week before or if I used more.

Also, I found that if I delay looking at my phone when I wake up, I use it less throughout the day. Instead of waking up and checking messages, emails, or social media, I make an effort to try and put myself together for the day and make coffee before I even pick it up. I don't always succeed lol but on the days I do I use my phone so much less!

My biggest problem is that I have a vast collection of e-books which I read a lot so without a dedicated reader or tablet I am in constant danger of getting sidetracked by other apps... like reddit.