Transgender people often experience significant changes in their understanding of selfhood throughout life. One aspect that is particularly affected is their conceptualization of time. This can be seen through a change in perspectives about past events, present experiences, and future aspirations.
Trans women tend to see themselves as having always been feminine, while trans men may see themselves as having always been masculine.
Trans people often reevaluate their relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues in light of their new identity. They may also need to adjust their expectations for the future based on their new gender expression.
Trans individuals often find themselves questioning their sense of purpose and meaning in life after transitioning. All these shifts can create discontinuities between the individual's pre-transition narrative and post-transition reality, which can lead to feelings of confusion and loss.
Such changes are necessary for a truly authentic existence.
Personal Narrative
When an individual begins to explore and embrace their true gender identity later in life, it can cause a ripple effect throughout all areas of their lives. Their personal narratives become disrupted, and they must learn to make sense of the new story unfolding before them. Transitioning into one's authentic self requires radical changes in how we perceive ourselves, our relationships with others, and our place within society. It is not uncommon for trans individuals to feel like they have lost touch with who they used to be or where they come from. This can manifest as difficulty remembering specific events from their childhood, or feeling estranged from family members or other loved ones. Some trans people even experience amnesia or forgetting significant periods of their past when reflecting upon it. This is due in part to the fact that our memories are tied up with our identities and sense of self, and those things change drastically during a gender transition. As such, many trans people must reconstruct their entire life stories around their newfound sense of self.
Temporality
Transitioning also affects an individual's perception of time itself. Before beginning hormone therapy or surgery, a person may view themselves as being "in limbo," neither completely male nor female. They may feel stuck between two worlds and unable to move forward. Once treatment begins, however, they may begin to see themselves as moving towards a new future - one in which they will finally be living authentically. Time starts to pass more quickly, and days seem shorter than ever before. The anticipation of transition brings with it a sense of urgency and excitement about what lies ahead. For some, this can lead to impatience or anxiety, while for others, it can create a sense of peace and calm. Regardless of how it manifests, though, the passage of time is no longer linear but rather cyclical; each day feels like a step closer to becoming the person they were always meant to be.
Existential Continuity
Transitioning forces individuals to consider their place within society and the world at large. In many cases, they find themselves on the fringes of both the cisgender community and the LGBTQ+ community. While they share experiences and feelings with other trans people, they are often viewed as different due to their age or level of social acceptance. This creates a feeling of isolation that can make it difficult to form meaningful connections with others. Some trans people turn to religion or spiritual practices as a way of finding comfort and connection during this period of transition. Others seek out support groups or online communities where they can connect with others who understand what they're going through. No matter what path they choose, though, all trans people must grapple with existential questions such as "Who am I now?" and "What is my purpose?" These questions can be particularly challenging when one's identity has been so fundamentally altered by transitioning.
Once an individual has found their true self, they may feel more connected than ever before - not just to their own past, present, and future, but also to the broader universe around them.
How does late-life gender transition transform an individual's understanding of personal narrative, temporality, and existential continuity?
Late-life gender transition can fundamentally alter one's sense of self, identity, and life trajectory, affecting their conception of personal narrative, temporality, and existential continuity. By undergoing this process, individuals may experience a renewed sense of purpose and meaning, as well as a revised understanding of their place within society and the world around them.