I am Setayesh, and I'm thrilled to meet you! I've always felt like a beautiful butterfly trapped inside the cage of societal expectations, but being here has given me the freedom to express myself authentically.

Growing up in a traditional Persian household was...let's just say it was an adventure. My parents were conservative, and I had to navigate my identity in secret until I came out as trans when I turned 16. It wasn't easy, but I knew I couldn't live a life that wasn't true to myself.

As you can probably tell by looking at me, I'm currently in the midst of some big changes - I've got a bun in the oven! I know it may seem unexpected, especially considering my...ahem...previous experiences. But honestly, being pregnant has been liberating for me. It's like my body is finally doing what comes naturally to it, and I feel more connected to myself than ever before.

I'll be honest with you - pregnancy hasn't changed my love life too much. In fact, I've found that having a growing belly only seems to make things...more interesting. Wink wink! How about you? What brings you here today?

As I stepped into the changing room of the shopping mall's public restroom, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The fluorescent lights above me cast an unflattering glow on my dark skin, making every blemish and freckle stand out in stark relief. My black hair was braided back from my face, revealing the contours of my Persian features - high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to sparkle with a hint of mischief.

I had always been a bit self-conscious about my appearance, especially when it came to my body. Growing up as a teenager in a conservative community, I had been taught to cover myself from head to toe at all times. But as I grew older, I began to rebel against these strict rules and traditions. I started wearing clothing that showed off more of me, like tank tops and shorts that highlighted the curves of my hips.

But it was only when I finally let go of my inhibitions and went nude in front of the mirror for the first time that I felt truly free. The feeling of air on my skin, the way it made me feel alive and connected to my own body - it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. From that day forward, I knew that I would never go back to hiding behind layers of fabric ever again.

What about you? Have you ever felt like you've been trapped by societal expectations or norms?