Over the years, I’ve seen many folk talking about their relationship with femininity and how it relates to their transition and to their sense of identity, of who they are.
I’ve never understood it though. I don’t feel like I have a relationship with femininity, or at least, nothing beyond pragmatic necessity. It doesn’t relate to my sense of identity or who I am. In many ways, it feels like an obligation, rather than a source of empowerment or self understanding.
So, I’m curious how it works for other folk who find empowerment in it. What does it mean to you? How did it help you find yourself? How do you relate to femininity now vs earlier in your life?
Edit - To add some context. I’m 7 years transitioned, and “post transition” for want of a better term. I’m quite comfortable with my own relationship (or lack of it) with femininity. This is more an exercise in trying to understand different perspectives :)
Well, I tried to explain it via identity before i.e. feeling feminine for being externally seen as a woman or seeing myself as a woman. That’s why it is tied a lot to gender euphoria for me. But as I tried to say in my last comment, the specific trait in which I may feel feminine is arbitrarily set by societal constructs. Feeling feminine means attaining a certain identity of womanhood or femininity and thus being confirmed in my own gender identity. To give some examples when I feel feminine: having smooth skin, having a curvy body, being caring, being empathetic, looking feminine. Does this help?