Captioned Images Series: Dr. Zaaijer Infomercial 13 Created: 08/31/2024 When I was 12, I was the definition of a boy. I loved running around, getting dirty, and playing sports with the boys. Makeup, dresses, and all the stuff that girls I thought was a silly waste of time. Although I didn't think anything was wrong, my mom noticed I was struggling and thought it might help to talk to someone, so she took me to see Dr. Zaaijer, a family therapist. At first, I wasn’t too sure about it. I mean, what could some therapist tell me about who I was? But Dr. Zaaijer was different. He didn’t make me feel like I had to change who I was; instead, he helped me figure out how to grow into the person I wanted to be. He asked me what I liked about being a boy, and we talked about how those qualities—like being active, strong, and independent—were great parts of who I was. But he also encouraged me to explore a side of me I didn't know I had. It wasn’t about trading one identity for another; it was about expanding who I was. Dr. Zaaijer suggested starting small—maybe trying a new hairstyle or picking out an outfit that was a little different from my usual jeans and T-shirts. He helped me see that embracing my feminite didn’t mean I had to give up sports or stop hanging out with my guy friends. Instead, I could find ways to blend the two parts of myself. Over time, with his guidance, I began to experiment more. I remember the first time I wore a skirt to school—I felt nervous, like everyone would think I was trying to be someone I wasn’t. But Dr. Zaaijer had taught me that it was okay to try new things, and that part of growing up is figuring out who you are by exploring different sides of yourself. Now, at 16, I’m comfortable being feminine. I still love sports, but I also enjoy dressing up, doing my makeup, and hanging out with my girlfriends even more. Dr. Zaaijer helped me see that I didn’t have to fit into one category. I could be a mix of all the things that make me, me. Looking back, I’m really glad I had his support during that time. He helped me transition from being a boy into a teenager. The boy I was is still with me, but it is mostly hidden under makeup and pretty dresses. I like who I have become and I won't miss the man I could have been. The best part is that some of the boys I used to play with have grown into such hot guys. I have more fun being with them now then I ever did when I was a boy. Made with Stable Diffusion AI Image Generator |