NOT Ready for Transition? #1 Thing to Avoid!
Dr. Z shares one of the biggest mistakes to avoid if you're not ready yet to start gender transition—whether because of health issues, working things out with your partner, current political environment making it unsafe, financial preparation, overcoming fears, or any other reason.
The mistake: Immersing yourself in and spending tremendous time watching other people's transition timelines and stories (Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, YouTube)—day in and day out, watching people go through transition.
Why is this so bad? It's not necessarily watching this content that's bad—it's being aware of how watching affects your gender dysphoria. If it increases dysphoria, causes distress, pain, and suffering—it's a bad idea. If it reduces dysphoria and makes you feel motivated and inspired—no harm.
Why it increases dysphoria: You're not ready to take steps yet, but you're watching others go through transition. You think you'd be motivated, but what actually happens: part of you gets incredibly frustrated and anxious that they're doing it, their life is getting better, you're not doing it yet. You're witnessing changes you want and desire but don't have yet. This frustrates you immensely.
In this video, Dr. Z addresses:
The weight loss analogy (wanting to lose 50 pounds but medically can't exercise yet—watching workout videos just increases frustration). How watching can spike anxiety and depression because you're watching something you strongly want but still can't do. Why we're oversaturated with reality content today (everyone showcasing their lives). How it's easy to romanticize someone's reality or catastrophize their negative outcomes as your future.
