A lot of traits which we (in the West, anyway) associate with “youth” are the opposite of what testosterone causes

Oh. I haven't even thought of that. You're completely right tho! People do say shit like "Grow up, grow a beard" or "Grow some hair on your chest" or whatever. That really does make sense. Still, hate it when people say stuff like that...sorry

There’s probably something to be said about how this ties in to become yet another tool used by the patriarchy to infantilize women

Oh no...

Testosterone accelerates your metabolism

Huh, that's true! That's why I can barely drink 😭
For some reason, my brain didn't make the connection between faster metabolism and aging faster...

My very limited sample size of only one transmasc I’ve known since before he started HRT tells me that this is at least somewhat true, because he definitely seemed to get quite a bit older in not that long of a time frame.

Damn. Now I'm kinda worried about my one and only transmasc friend 😭
I trust the process tho. He definitely seems much happier, at least to me. And I'm super happy for him ❤️

...and my hair is clearly doing most of the heavy lifting...

I thought this too. For a long time. Until today, that is.
I was walking down the street, hair up in a ponytail, messed up from the wind, thinking how stupid I must look. I had my regular clothes, black hoodie and jeans, which are neutral at best.
And somehow...no idea how, I still can't believe it...when I was passing this homeless lady, she went:
"Hey, girlfriend! Got any spare change?"
And of course I gave her what I had in my wallet, lol. It wasn't much, but she surprised me in the best possible way, so I gave her all the change I had on me. She probably needed it more than I do anyway...

I'm NOT boasting, please don't take it that way. My point is...I thought my hair was the only thing making people gender me correctly. But today, with my hair tied back, my masculine face completely exposed...somehow I just kinda malefailed? If that even counts...
I know for a fact that I'm not making any sense. But girl...looking at your latest pic...you are fem (I mean that as a compliment). I hope you see the girl in the photos that I do, one day, for yourself 🩷

Please girl. Believe. I believe in you 💜

P.S: I'm really sorry, it's really late and I just got online a couple of minutes ago. Sorry if this comment doesn't make any sense, I've had a very long day 😭