Understanding Chest Dysphoria and Navigating Your Feelings
Do I have like half chest dysphoria? I feel uncomfortable with my chest showing but I don’t feel totally unconnected. I hate my chest showing and I want to get a binder. I don’t like my chest showing through a shirt.
The concept of feeling "totally unconnected" to your chest may be a misunderstanding of others' experiences compared to yours. No one has the exact same experiences. Feeling disconnected does not necessarily mean feeling uncomfortable. I never felt unconnected to my chest, but now that it's gone, I do feel more connected to my flat chest.
Your Feelings Are Valid
Firstly, your feelings are valid. Wearing a chest binder is a significant decision. Have you considered trying a sports bra as they provide support without a boosting effect? Is it just in shirts, or do you find this discomfort constantly?
Feeling dysphoric about your body can take many forms and is not always gender-related. It's important to recognize the range of experiences that make up body dysphoria.
Seeking Support and Awareness
It might be a good idea to talk to a sympathetic counselor. I am very proud of my chest, as it marks my femininity. Chest binders can cause damage to breast tissue. Unfortunately, many boys and men will look at your breast because it's quite natural. I used to say, 'Excuse me, but my face is up here. Do you think you could look at me when speaking'—that used to make them embarrassed.
Enjoy your femininity and don't let anyone take that away from you. You cannot stop men and boys from looking, but you can turn the tables on them. Breasts are a natural part of a woman's body.
Exploring Low-Dysphoria Options and Body Positivity
You could easily have chest dysphoria, it might just be more mild than what you see from others, and that's perfectly normal. Everyone with dysphoria may have varying amounts of dysphoria. For some, it's very strong, and for others, it's more mild. It's still dysphoria and is still perfectly valid.
My question is, do you want to confirm your discomfort and keep it for life, missing out on a lot of things in life, or go to a nudist/naturist camp for a vacation and get used to bodies of boys, girls, women, and men of all ages and builds? You can get comfortable and enjoy yourself in a week or two surrounded by hundreds of other nude people and realize that you can like your body and that your body is fine. Chest showing through a shirt bothers a moderate percentage of people. Look around. There are big nipples, even the size of areola, and even individual hair if you only have a few or have shaving growing back. Breasts of AA to D are rarely noticed in even a T-shirt and even less cared about. Wear a button shirt with two pockets and a pattern. Most people never sort out what they may have glanced at for 1 second as they walk past.