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.
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.