It took me more then 10 years(Me 27) years to do that. I was so afraid. But I had luck, it went well.
With 17 I started to accept what I am, but I was just to afraid. I did come out many years ago to a select group of a few, one of them died, two slowly left my life which really hurt me, and one was left, no one else was left who knew.
But I saw that it eventually just really destroyed my mental health and I thought now or it will kill me.
I just hope that the next generations will not have to have this painful experience, because yet it truly was painful.
I’m glad it went well! It takes a lot of guts to do, especially if you’re not sure how it will be received. I decided to come out a long time ago and cut out the people who didn’t accept me - life is too short to spend it hiding yourself from people. My mental health rebounded a lot after coming out, and I’m generally a much happier person now.
Be unapologetically queer! You’ll be a beacon for those who are still in the closet!