Alexandria, I'm so sorry you can relate. Oddly, between my two surgeries, it was the breast surgery that felt more like a concession to the patriarchy than the nose job. It's a very personal question that each person can only answer for themselves. However, I want to affirm this:

Winning is not only valid when it's a blatant resistance. Winning is also valid when we move by Trojan horse. ;)

(That is, if we cooperate with the status quo just enough to obtain more power — and then use that power to change what shouldn't be — this is also a valid win.)

I wish you peace within your physical self, however you might get there and whatever that might look like. Thank you for reading and for sharing your own vulnerable thoughts here too. 💜