Hi everyone,
I’m from India and I’ve been wanting to ask this for a long time but never had the courage. Lately I’ve been feeling curious about trying sarees or other feminine clothes. I am still figuring myself out and I do not really know where I fit. I just know that I want to explore this side of me.
The problem is I have a lot of fears.
I am slightly chubby and I have a beard, so I keep thinking I will not look good or I will just feel worse about myself if I try. On top of that, the environment here is not very accepting. I am honestly scared of being seen or caught. It feels like it could seriously affect my social life or even my relationship with my family.
Another thing is that my parents have started looking for a partner for me. That makes everything feel more stressful and confusing because I feel like I am being pushed into something while I am still trying to understand myself.
At the same time I cannot ignore this curiosity anymore. I keep thinking about it but fear always stops me.
So I wanted to ask: Has anyone here been in a similar situation, especially in a more conservative place How did you start exploring safely? Any advice on dealing with body image concerns like being chubby or having facial hair? How do you deal with family pressure, especially around marriage, when you are unsure about yourself?
I just want to understand myself better without risking everything.