my identity was stolen from my by abusers. I was who they wanted me to be and nothing else. I knew I was different from my peers, I could tell just as much as they could, and they did not let me forget for even a split second. I was never given the language or space to explore and figure out what was so different about me (turns out it was that I am autistic and trans and a bunch of other things, go figure)

Not knowing was agonizing. Seeing notcable differences. Between yourself and your peers yet not understanding why or what or how left me so isolated. Labels can bring understanding, peace of mind, self acceptance and community

Now I label and microlabel everything and I will not stop

other than that, labels can open doors: In this society you wont get your needs acknowledged unless you have a particular label. Should that be different? Yes! Does that make labels obsolete? no IMO

That said you dont have to understand, just, please as a fellow millenial, don't do the unhelpful, unproductive and frankly dismissve "stop labeling yourself, labels belong on products not people". That's someone's understanding of themselves you are dismissing by doing that