This is EXACTLY it. When I first transitioned, I LOVED pink stuff. I bought what I considered the girliest stuff I could, including some makeup and stuff. I started shaving my arms and legs.
After a few months, I realized how much of that stuff was just a mask to present more "female." And the whole point of being transgender, to me at least, has always been to be myself. So why the heck should I "be a girl"???
It really is impossible to turn that distinction off, it feels like. Even now, looking at people, my brain immediately decides if they're (probably) male or female. I don't verbally assume, but I sure decide mentally first and then have to shake it off, like "nope that might not be true!"