#1st

a conversation between lunargaze and bisexual-slime

LG: I always warn people that casually wearing a binder led directly to a crazy increase in dysphoria & the feeling that I needed surgery immediately. A huge amount of the reason I ended up getting a mastectomy was to stop having to feel the panic-attack inducing compression of a binder. B-S: 6 years of consistent binding left me with increased muscle and joint pain and shortness of breath. I stopped for good November 2020 and I don't regret it. It also increased by chest dysphoria and now that I've stopped binding, I've found easier and healthier ways of coping. If you really must conceal your chest out of dysphoria, I'd suggest a comfortable sports bra (do NOT get one smaller than your size. get the correct size) and looser layers and fabrics. This has helped me massively, as has foregoing bras completely, sports bras included. I'd encourage you to at least give this method a shot because it's genuinely been so beneficial and helpful for me.

LG: Absolutely. If I had the thought to just like, stop wearing bras at that point in my life I can’t imagine how different things would be for me right now.

And let me tell you, nothing made my chest dysphoria worse than a mastectomy :/ it breaks my heart seeing more and more people like me expecting the affirming whole-feeling result and just ending up with more issues.

BS: I've always had chest dysphoria but it's only been in the past couple of years I've drifted away from the surgical route in favour of physical exercise to get the result I want. I recognised my goals were not realistic and my chest would always cause me problems post surgery, plus I was scared I would regret such a major operation so I just decided against it and decided I would prefer to implement a work out routine because I've seen that kind of thing done with smaller chests (I'm an A) so it seemed like an easier option. My heart always breaks for women who have been fed an idealistic image of themselves that can only be attained through surgery and end up with more mental and physical problems than they started out with.

Planets in the 12th house point to hidden strengths or challenges. These people have an unconscious or spiritual drive but face struggles with self-undoing or secrets. For example, Venus in the 12th house would indicate hidden romantic desires or private relationships.

A stellium in the 8th house causes deep transformation and intense emotional experiences. These people experience major life changes, powerful relationships & a strong interest in the mysteries of life, like death, intimacy & shared resources.

When a planet is retrograde at birth, its energy is turned inward, causing people to experience its traits more introspectively or with delay. For example, Mercury retrograde in a birth chart leads to deep reflection and reconsideration of communication & thought patterns.

Chiron’s return occurs around age 50, marking a time when people confront deep healing around their core wounds. This transit brings unresolved pain or vulnerability to the surface, pushing people to heal, teach, or offer wisdom about their life’s challenges.

The South Node represents past life experiences or tendencies. Having it in the 10th house shows a past focus on career or public life. In this life, there’s a pull to move away from over-identifying with your career & seek more personal, emotional fulfillment.

Pluto in the 1st house gives an intense, powerful presence. These people undergo extreme personal transformations & are perceived as intense or sometimes magnetic. They often subconsciously help others transform, though they can face challenges with control or feeling misunderstood.

Uranus square Sun creates a life of unpredictability & sudden changes. People with this aspect experience moments of rebellion, breakthroughs & a need to break free from old patterns. There’s a constant tension between personal freedom and the need for stability.

Ascendant conjunct Neptune gives a dreamy, idealistic appearance. These people present themselves in an ethereal, mysterious way, with strong intuition. They struggle with confusion, deception, or seeing themselves clearly.

Jupiter in the 6th house expands daily routines, work life & health. These people experience growth through their job, daily habits, or service to others. They receive opportunities through helping or teaching others, though they may indulge in excess, especially with food or work.