Cheers Tysilio! Yes, I need to be brave in one of the other sections, lol.
So, I'm basically pre-everything, FTM. And I don't know any trans folks and trying make sense of all this on my own for the last while. I've been trying to read what I can to learn more, and I'm amazed what is out there, especially for all the young folks.

When I went to school--and where I went to school--being trans wasn't on the radar, or at least not open. I did have a friend who knew he was gay, but it was a secret till after high school and he moved away. I lived in a rough area, inner city school.
As for me, I grew up in some ways with a rather traditional cultural heritage overall, although my Mom and sister (immediate family) open minded. However, the last 20 years I've worked in a rather small and traditional profession, coming out as trans would be really tough. I'm actually leaving my profession (or at least the fieldwork heavy consulting world where most of the jobs are), for other health reasons that have been going for the better part of a year, so this is giving me the opportunity to explore myself, identity and career in a way I never had the chance before.
So I'm excited and terrified and a bit overwhelmed.