Realizing I've Been Masking My Whole Life

hey! i'm hushabye (selected this username for just this app and not for anything else), and i use they/he pronouns. has anyone else, over the course of the past two years, finally realized that you've been masking for a majority of your life?

Your answer

itsarigrace

2y ago

Yes! It's crazy to think that I've been masking since I was a toddler because my traits were 100% looked down upon by my mother. When I was diagnosed and learned more, I slowly started unmasking only when I was alone. Now I unmask whenever I feel like it, including at work, school, in public... It's great

CloverDeer

2y ago

Yes yess

Somelaurenthings

2y ago

Absolutely!!

Kitty23

2y ago

Yep, sure have! Last July after a meltdown at work, my partner suggested it was maybe a possibility. The more I thought about it the more it made sense— that I'd spent a long time masking, but a lot unmasked and maltreated and being unsure as to why as well. I was then assessed last December and diagnosed in January.

idkmybffjill

2y ago

Similar story as above, but it was my psychiatrist that brought up the possibility. The masking aspect has been very validating for why being around others is so exhausting. Even in my former marriage, I had such a hard time being around someone in that context. I didn’t know myself & I didn’t accept myself, as I was hiding so much of myself. I’m just now starting to sift through all this.. I have no clue how to move forward yet /: It’s very overwhelming, mentally & emotionally. A bit paralyzing..

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