Personally i went into "transition light" for a lack of a better term. I kept this up for about 20 yrs in varying degrees. Sort of my way of keeping a foot in both sides, i thought i was simply non-binary for awhile. Although, i did not know that really existed until later in life. I presented as a feminine male, androgynous, tomboy girl etc, while i pursued "manly" extreme sports like mountaineering and football. Apart from keeping up stereotypes, i sort of confused people a lot.
I did this because i wanted to advance my career, make it easy on my spouse, have children and have them grow up in a somewhat "standard" family. I felt my plan was the best one for those ends. I regret it. It was a cop out and it was not pursuing the real me. I continued to try and compartmentalize my identity, this part was the guy, this part was the girl.
The results were continued GD, depression and escapism. I got the career, had a great family but only a part of me was there emotionally to enjoy and experience it. finally when i decided that i was not going to leave this earth with anything other than a woman's identity, things improved for me dramatically, on most (but not all) fronts.
I never understood how important the right hormones were to me. The physiological changes were so important. I finally started listening to real therapists not quasi-therapists. I felt calm and whole.
YMMV though- this is just how it was for me. Having said all of that, i do believe it is different for everyone and sometimes timing is really important. Perhaps there are levels of it that work with your other goals.
