Struggling with Gender Dysphoria: How to Make the Right Decision?

What jam064 said about gender euphoria. I felt the same way as you for a long time, I had short hair and stopped wearing makeup and one winter when I was wearing a big coat the Walmart greeter referred to me and my cis male friend as "you boys" and it was like "oh wow he thinks I'm one of the boys!!! I could be one of the boys!!?"

It's very hard to pin down dysphoria, especially since every single person experiences it differently, and some trans people don't experience it at all. A much better indicator is gender euphoria, i.e., a sense of overwhelming rightness when dressing/presenting/being addressed as your gender. Talking it through with a licensed therapist is also very important. They have the training necessary to help you sort through thoughts in a constructive way. Just be sure to find one that is LGBTQ+ positive, preferably one who understands that the Q is for queer AND questioning. Aside from that, transition socially first. Dress masc, cut your hair, choose a masc name, wear a safe binder, pack, etc. Present as a man for a while before making a permanent commitment. You can always regrow hair and switch your wardrobe back, but surgery and HRT are much more difficult to undo if you realize it's not right for you. Don't rush it. Take your transition one step at a time. And remember: you do not have to transition medically to be trans. Whatever gender(s) you feel you are, that's what you are. Don't let anyone disrespect that.