What is masking?

Just what is masking? As someone who is still discovering what this means for me, today I explore a few different ways that those who are neurodivergent, mask themselves in the neurotypical world.
Masking is the process of appearing neurotypical so as not to draw attention to yourself - in effect, to hide who you really are because you find out, through the process of your life, that who you are is not accepted - so you learn how to mask to cover up those parts of you that you discover are not acceptable.
Learning how to unmask is proving to be just as hard as keeping the mask on but I am determined to find out who 'Authentic Michelle' is and in doing so, you will also discover who I am.
If you recognise parts of yourself in what I share, please let me know in the comments. I want to create an inclusive community of people who not only understand each other, but also support each other.

[@tracywilliams9956]

I just assumed masking was something everyone did. I’m now realising that’s not the case. Thank you for sharing. I love your honesty (and the yellow brightness in your videos)!

[@kthornley1976]

so good and helpful! thank you :)

[@robertalibermann4747]

I’m not diagnosed but I’ve been masking for 56 years sense kindergarten, and I’ve never felt included even though I have “friends “ in still feel like I don’t belong,my adult grandson is on the spectrum and he can’t mask he’s just him and that’s hard on everyone because he has anger issues and he doesn’t understand why he does,he’s verbal and physical abled he’s 21 but not 😢

[@LateDiagnosed]

Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like your grandson has a wonderful advocate in you. I read somewhere that having to fit in to a neurotypical world is traumatic and you are both likely feeling that. I know I do.

[@BipolarCourage]

Can you work fulltime?

[@LateDiagnosed]

Hi, yes I can but I choose not to. I work 2.5hrs shy of full time currently. I work condensed hours so I have a day off during the week. It works really well for me and gives me a break during the work week.

[@passaggioalivello]

I have always had to mask because, since early childhood, I was denied as a human being. Even today, despite the masking, I'm still considered as trash. I ran out of spoons.

[@LateDiagnosed]

I'm sorry your experience has been so painful. Hopefully now that the awareness of what masking is, is becoming more known, people will be kinder to those of us who have had no choice in masking. I'm glad you're here and thank you so much for being open.