heya! this is one of my first posts on the internet where i’m not “masking,” or giving myself the stipulations of maintaining a specific public image.
i (f20) found out in recent months that i’m a highly masked autistic person. this has led me down such a rabbithole, but what i think i’m figuring out is that i don’t have a personality unless i’m around other people, or think my actions are being perceived by other people.
growing up, the internet always felt like a place i could be myself. but, this was scrutinized by my parents who were too old (and emotionally abusive) to understand how to properly manage my internet consumption. so, i developed a ton of internalized shame surrounding wanting to express myself, and by age 13 i had basically given up on having an internal life.
now, i’m 20 and finally beginning to develop IRL healthy relationships with a few close friends. but i feel so much untapped potential for me on the internet. i have a finsta that i can be more authentically myself than on my main instagram, but still i worry about the scrutiny of people i know in real life all the time.
basically i’m beginning an authentic path on the internet and don’t really know where to start or how to find joy from it (or anything i do intrinsically.)
anyone else out there going through this? let’s talk about it! i love to hecking talk!
Lemmy is the perfect place because you can follow whichever topics you like and nobody needs to know who you are; you can completely be yourself
Don’t have a personality unless I’m around other people>
I can def relate. I feel like many of us can. When your alone there’s no personalities to bounce off of to create YOURS, so it’s just you doing thought circles about literal nothing.
I’m relatively new to social media, I’m 33, and I usually avoid people. I’m not sure if I’m autistic but I’m definitely weird af by the people around me’s standards. Lol
Be yourself always, love yourself. Your all you have at the end of the day. Putting on a charade for others is sort of like a lie, it only really affects you in the end. (:
Much love
thank you for your kind words! a lot of my autism realization came from reading “unmasking autism” by devon price- highly recommend!
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Hello! I’m also recently figuring out I’m autistic so I definitely can relate to your post! I’ll start with something fun and easy. Tell me about your favorite special interests!!
hey!! i’m studying to be a music teacher and mued is my favorite thing ever. i also love doctor who! my cat would be another special interest at this point hehe. hows about you??
Music is the best! That’s awesome that you’re becoming a teacher for it!! What’s your favorite kind of music? Any fav bands? :)
Oh my gosh I used to be so into doctor who and then they took it away from the streaming service I watched on and I haven’t caught up in so many years 😭 it was sooo good though!
Ohh I love animals! What’s your cat’s name? I totally know what you mean about our pets being another special interest lol I love mine the same <3
i love allllll kinds of music. i spend 4+ hours a day listening to different genres. one of my favorite artists right now is remi wolf, she combines the meticulous production style of bedroom pop with funk/soul powerhouse vocals. and, i also love the folk band nickel creek! seeing them in concert next month.
doctor who is … chef’s kiss. the last few seasons have been mid because the writing team changed. jodie whitacre got pretty much screwed. it’s all on HBO (i guess it’s called max …) now! excited for the next season to come out.
my cat’s name is sasha! she’s 1 and a half, and a russian blue. rescued from woods in my hometown.
I can’t really relate myself but good luck on your journey!!
As another autistic person, welcome! There’s an autism community on here, but in general that like, feels like such a mood lol. I’m just glad we’re all anonymous on reddit (and now Lemmy) so that I don’t actually have to act with any accountability; especially here where no one irl knows my account lol
