Trans folks: How do you feel better about yourself/your body?

Getting dressed up and putting on my makeup. Shaving. Feeling pretty in the mirror makes me feel good. Singing along to girly songs.

 

Working out definitely. I mean I also do other things just to rest my mind but I prefer working out

 

I work out or read comics.

 

Looking at other people's transitions on the internet gives me hope.

 

Running gives me hope <3

 

It gives me just the opposite. That makes me feel jelousy and regret.

 

This and day dreaming about how life will be in the future and all the things I need to do to get to that point. Pretty much I keep myself busy

 

Oh, I forgot about daydreaming. For me it's more like night dreaming 'cause I just think about my future until I eventually fall asleep. Certainly helps.

 

When I feel bad about my body I try to remind myself of the good things about my body and how important it is. Hopefully by doing this I'll develop a little body positivity. If my mood isn't as good I usually try to distract myself from my thoughts with games, music or Netflix.

 

Basically this.

I also like to workouit and focus on doing the absolute best for my body, like having a really healthy diet (most of the time). These help me keep in mind the good I'm actively trying to do, and remember the progress I've made.

One thing that I do is I'll look up pictures of actors/models whose body type I admire or is similar to mine Then I think, "okay, how do I get there?" and start with the smallest baby steps in that direction. Rome wasn't built in a day, and even if my body takes a decade to build, it is worth it.

Sometimes if I absolutely cannot cope, I try to soothe and distract myself. Avoid mirrors, listen to music, meditate, read a book, write and play music, sit outside in the sunlight, watch reruns of my favourite TV shows, go get an ice cream... Whatever makes you happy till you wind down and can think clearly.

 

Buying clothes immensely helps me feel better about myself. I never used to like shopping but new clothes makes me see myself in a better way if my mindset is bad. You've got the anxiety about shop changing rooms though so that kind of brings the mood down again.

Before coming out as trans swimming used to be a big part of my life and used to bring up my mood and keep me happy and healthy. It really gets me down not being able to swim now.

 

I write stories. It's always fun, but trying to write after the initial idea is really hard. Trying to write short stories now, rather than longer ones and see if that helps.

 

Working out and listening to music are the main things I do. Sometimes I'll watch transition videos, although sometimes they just make me feel worse; it depends on the day. I can't draw well, but sometimes I do crappy sketches of me with the body I actually want and that feels good.

 

I try to remember that my body will look more manly some day, and that will help my dysphoria so I'll be able to feel more free and able to be myself. I also focus on things about my personality that I like. But mostly I just try to distract myself. I cuddle my dog, work, play skyrim, draw, or drink. But actually, doing things to help others, especially who have it worse than me, is really helpful cos I can forget completely about myself and I feel good knowing that I'm making someone else's life easier.

 

What I did in the past? I avoided girly clothing and worked out till I felt dead. And I imagined some stories I would like to be in and drew them. Drawing it out (comic-like) always helps me.

 

Easy. I don't.