Transgender Teen Survival Guide

Asked by Anonymous

Ren says:

To all my lovely trans sisters and brothers and siblings having to undergo Easter dressup (or Passover dressup, or any holiday dressup):

You’re valid. No matter what clothes they put you in. Maybe you’re undercover, like a spy; maybe you’re crossdressing; maybe you just look really darn good in a dress or suit or whatnot. Your clothes don’t determine your gender. You do, and you’ve already done that, so - congratulations! You’re valid and you and amazing.

But that doesn’t always help dysphoria go away. So what’s a [your gendered noun of choice here] to do?

• Here is a link to the Too Cute playlist from Animal Planet. (It starts on a video with dogs and piglets playing.)
• And this is my favorite cat video of all time.
• And here is an animal videos master document (feel free to add your faves).
• Here is a link to RRCherryPie’s channel, who makes videos that are easy on the ears and eyes - really helpful for calming down from anxiety.
• Here is a link to all the How It’s Made episodes, and here are links to Bob Ross’s The Joy of Painting.
• Here is a link to watch Steven Universe. Here is a link to watch Baman Piderman. Cartoons are the best for when you desperately need to feel good.
• Here is a link to a video I find works excellently as a mental reset. (It’s cartoon cats. Dancing and playing instruments.)
• Here is a link to learn a new language, structured like a video game.
• Here is a link to Galaxy Zoo, where you can help scientists classify galaxies.
• Here is a link to regular 2048. Here is a link to 2048 with cats. Here is a link to Gravity Falls 2048. Seriously, just google “2048 [thing you like]” and there you go.
• Here is a link to Mapcrunch. Here are two text-based adventures, one with kittens and one with humans. Here is Sushi Cat. Here is William & Sly, Part 1.
• Here is a video showing you how to finger knit. You can also busy your hands by playing with clay, doodling, or ripping up tissues.
• Make an avatar of yourself!
• Write affirming words all over yourself in colorful marker.
• Have a one-man / one-woman / one-being dance party, or get on a Skype call with pals and have a combination dance party.
• Paint! Even with your fingers. Even if it doesn’t look good.
• Go on Pinterest and make an aesthetic board.
• Listen to all your favorite music and sing it, well or awfully.
• Take all the selfies.
• Bake some cookies. Even if they turn out terribly at least you made something!
• Take a bubble bath, or a shower. If you’re body-dysphoric, do it in the dark, or in full clothing, or wear a bathing suit or towel.
• Also, bubbles help with everything (they can work as a beard, luscious long hair, polka dots…)
• Make a playlist for yourself - a self-care cheer-up playlist, or a bear matrimony hardcore dysphoria can kiss my butt playlist.
• Or get really weird and specific with your playlists, like a sleepy-time playlist for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, or a workout playlist for a garden gnome, or an inspirational playlist for your favorite character.
• Practice body neutrality.
• Add onto this really long list by reblogging it and sharing your favorite self-care / recovering-from-dysphoria thing!