Do our trans and non-binary personas really exist, or are we portraying ourselves as legendary creatures? Is all this a delusion?

I've been called out at various times over the years about my transness being "a delusion." This is a topic that has interested me for a long time. Is the authentic trans or non-binary self we think we inhabit real, or are we still the people we were as children?

There's clearly no right answer to such questions, everyone is different, but I find it fascinating to think about! What do others on here think?

One older trans person I know, who isn't in this group, thinks they're still the same person they were when they were young. Of course, other people will argue we aren't the same person we were five minutes ago…

From what this older trans person said, they have been having counselling. In my view, I think they have more work to do, but no, I'm not going to suggest it to them!

I met this person the other day when I went to Reading Pride. We had a great conversation, and I'm still thinking about it. Day to day, I simply get on with it and try to 'live my best life,' but when I go to Prides and at other times, I'm aware that I project a persona, even though other people - eg my wife's family and friends - think I'm bonkers. But to me, I'm not a legendary creature, I'm real!

Enough of me for now, I wonder what others think!