OK let's get down to brass tacks here. Emma - There is a wide variety of ways to live as your authentic self.
Here are just a few of the ways people in the Transgender spectrum live.
1. Entirely closeted - think about it - never do anything.
2. Closeted crossdressers - that is its own discussion. Some it is just a sexual turn-on and others want to believe that.
3. Non-binary people - both feel and present as they wish also related to gender fluid.
4. Non-op trans-people. Live as one gender but do nothing medically.
5. Partial op (like me ) an orchie and HRT only.
6. Surgically transition. FFS BA GCS all or some of the above.
This is a partial list that many would argue about (so please don't) because it does not come anywhere close to the many ways people live this life.
The point of this whole thing is BE YOU. Someone I know very well that is fully transitioned and looks great kept her penis by choice. She likes how it feels and so does her girlfriend. She is legally female, her daughters and ex call her Mom and she just happens to have a penis - by choice.
I want to have vaginoplasty FFS and BA but they may not be in the cards for me. Health and money issues. I haven't given up for sure - I was looking at insurance plans a few minutes ago figuring out what is covered.
But if I end up with just an orchie and HRT am I less of a woman? My intellect says no - my emotions say- eh sort of.
My Point is................ You can be any kind of transwoman you want to be. What you need to do is
live as YOU !!Don't use this as a rationalization to go half way. Use it as a way to figure out who you are and decide what to do about it.
OK I gotta go before Moni tells Mom on me for pitching a fit.