Feel free to answer this question as well. I think it is relevant for all who have masked for a lifetime. Don’t rush the question though. Take your time.
I have exiled my silly sense of humor, because it was odd and out there, and I didn’t think it conformed with neurotypical society. I would like to invite that back.
I have exiled singing songs that didn’t make sense, correcting people’s spelling mistakes for fun, and my tears when I was touched because those aren’t appropriate for a boy much less a man.
Pretending I’m not interested in topics that I info-dump about. Both those habits and themes were exiled.
It hasn’t been the best idea to take the mask off around in a work, or educational setting, but to feel like I’m letting preferences back into my life is a good start.
I had exiled my inner rebel to become compatible with the working world. After 2020 i decided to reinvite them back into my life. Since then I’ve become insufferable to anyone content with our current society. Feels good.
I exiled most ways of expressing myself with my body. I’ve brought dancing back into my life, and I’m working to feel more comfortable dancing outside of dark, anonymous environments.
Feeing part of my body is a huge thing for me, because I’ve felt disconnected for so long.
Exiled physical intimacy, due to issues recognising my emotions and having my boundaries respected.
The tears… I cry when alone, I cannot do it anywhere else.
Socially unacceptable ideas and self perception. Already have brought them back, been transitioning for 2 years now even.
i’d stopped believing i was allowed comfort. the past few years i’ve been fixing that. i own 8 copies of the same pants, shirt, hoodie, etc so everything is a texture and fit im ok with. if i want to sit silently in a room for 4 hours, im doint it and not responding to any questions about it. my social life is down to the few people who are happy with intermittent text based communication. i’ll hang out socially and do the talking out loud thing maybe once every three months. anyone other than my kid who wants more from me better be paying a salary.
This question elicited some Big Feelings for me. I’m going to sit with them a bit and then come back to answer.
Same. It is a powerful question. Take your time.
I’ve recently stopped trying to be a social person, I tried for decades, got addicted to alcohol (got sober), and I was always stressed. My only hang up now is feeling like a loser for not being social, not having friends, not being in a relationship. But not having those things is bringing me peace. I missed being left alone, doing my own thing even if it’s doing nothing. I just need to work on the negative self talk concerning societal norms.
My toxic family members. No.
