I have a question..

Two things: 1 - The term "sex change" is really misleading. It's not one thing that you do and then suddenly you're done. Transition is a process. And 2 - No. It is never wrong or stupid to do any of the steps of transitioning. Sometimes transitioning doesn't work out for a person, but even that doesn't make it wrong. It just makes it an experiment that helped them learn more about themself.

 

That's exactly what I mean by it being a process. There are several different steps that people take to transition and not everybody does them in the same order or even does all of the steps. You name a lot of the medical steps people take to transition, but there are also social one such as name and pronoun change, wardrobe changes, etc.

In any case, although I can't tell you how you identify, I will say that if you want to transition, it's a pretty safe bet to say you are trans. You are right when you say that people who aren't transgender don't want to transition.

And I'll say it again: transition is never wrong. If it's what you want, do it. This is your body and your life and you need to do what's going to make you happy and make it a life worth living.

 

Now I am not transgender or know anyone who is but in my opinion you need to be 100% sure that you are before you do your transition two who you are.

 

They're not going to let you transition unless you jump through a bajillion hoops of flaming medical bureaucracy to prove that you are qualified for sex reassignment surgery.

Harry Benjamin Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders

I think you need to talk to a therapist.

 

Yeah, it can be extremely confusing when how you feel inside is in opposition to what society is telling you. Just take it one step at a time and trust that your feelings are more valid FOR YOU than what anyone else could possibly think or say.

And even though it is true that there are hoops you have to jump through, it doesn't have to be as overwhelming as some would make it seem. Especially once you turn 18, there are plenty of doctors out there who will treat you based on informed consent (meaning you just have to talk to the physician and request hormone treatment, rather than having a therapist refer you). If you are starting to have people call you your chosen male name and use male pronouns for you now, you will have had plenty of real life experience by the time your 18th comes around. This is not to say it won't help you to talk to a therapist with experience in the area, just that it doesn't have to be a requirement for furthering medical transition, if that's where you chose to go.

As for your question, how long did it take to figure it out....it's hard to say. Like you, I have memories of being a little kid and telling people I was/wanted to be a boy, but still went through adolescence living outwardly as a girl. I wouldn't say that there was one moment in time when I "figured it out." Rather, I took steps towards living more authentically and every one made me feel better about myself and my life, so I continued. Now I live full-time as male, have medically transitioned, and even have friends who know nothing of my female path. That being said, there are still parts of myself I haven't figured out! Like all of life, it's a journey, not a destination...

 

Well, I'm not transgendered or anything, but I just want to say I still understand your feelings of opposition to what society is telling you to be. I'm a girl that likes girls, but society is telling me I need to like boys.

About you transitioning, I do actually know a bit about the subject, as one of my best friends is a transgender FtM. Before actually beginning the transition process, you need to go through all sorts of medical therapy and test to show that you are approved to begin transitioning. (gender therapy, etc..)

I wouldn't rush the whole process though. Take some time to do some self reflecting. Make sure you really understand who you are and how you see yourself in the future.

Lastly, there is nothing wrong with being trans.