You might be #AutisticMasking if you mentally explain why you're doing what you're doing as you go about your day as if you're explaining yourself to another person.
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@hmm_cook I do this all the time, but can I ask you to unpack what about this makes it count as autistic masking?
I still find the term confusing and don't really understand the scope.
I saw it described recently as activities which actively HIDE aspects (eg stimming) rather than trying to blend in (camouflaging) , spin yourself as agreeable or justify yourself (self preservation?) , but I guess it's usage isn't standardised & there's lots of ways to slice the pie.
I made this connection because I spent so much time growing up having to explain my weird ways to others, I think it became a defensive habit; always have an explanation ready to justify myself.
I'm not an external processor, so explaining/describing what I'm doing isn't part of how I work through things. For some it is, and that's not masking.
Am I making sense?
@hmm_cook Well kind of - I get that it's a defensive habit that comes about through difficulties in operating in a society one isn't ... err ... a natural fit for.
So it's a reactive preparedness to meet social demands that's been internalised - rather than something one is doing purely for oneself.
Just not so sure about it counting as masking. But that's not something to be splitting hairs about - It's really helpful that you've brought the practise out of the murk to be examined!
Thanks.
I'm not going to try to defend that's it's masking, as it may not be, and I'm open to being wrong. I think it's more important to reflect on what we're doing, and why, than to have all the labels right. :)
Glad these thoughts have been helpful. :)
Heather Cook🖖Autistic Coach
FrightenedRat 🏴