Stimming

I do that x

I meow

I moved my fingers in patterns so hopefully it's not too obvious in public.

Ohhhhhhhhh I like to spread my hands out wide on the table and imagine if it's and octave's worth on a piano 

I hope that it's a good trigger. I don't want to upset anyone.

I mainly stim with my hands.

That could be spreading / stretching my fingers as wide as possible, doing a thumbs up, clicking my fingers (something that I do A LOT at home when feeling anxious).

I also have a variety of small sensory / stress toys such as spinners, cubes and even a very small console type controller.

Rrrhombus said:

I don't know if this is stimming but until recently I always chewed the insides of my cheeks A LOT until it's sore. I've consciously really tried not to because my cheeks were really sore.

Yes that is definitely stimming!

Skipping like I'm still six years old. I get looks and people laugh but it's a stim that makes me happy and feel comfortable so it doesn't bother me.

At age 62 I've discovered the joy of squishy stim toys! I have a dish at home which is full of them. I have at least one in my coat pocket when I go out. To start with I got some that looked like a ball so folks thought I had a toy for my dog when I'm out walking with him but now I feel ok to carry more obvious toys. I enjoy passing (kind of throwing) them from one hand to another and this is particularly helpful if I'm in a shop and getting overstimulated. I hadn't thought about stimming in public as being part of my unmasking. Thank you for triggering that awareness for me. 

I'm very new and don't know a lot, what is or isn't stimming...or if i am autistic, but relate to some elements of other autistic people's. My doctor recently referred me for an Autism diagnosis. But I think I might stim a lot openly but it's mostly hidden.

To cope when focusing or stressing e.g. at work is I bounce my knee up and down fast. I make sure I don't tap my foot and that my leg isn't touching the desk in any way so it's quiet, plus it's under the desk.

I have a spinner, before that I used to play with lanyards and pens and break them all.

Or a rub the back of my head because especially when it's buzzed short, it feels nice.

I don't know if this is stimming but until recently I always chewed the insides of my cheeks A LOT until it's sore. I've consciously really tried not to because my cheeks were really sore.

Touching my nose and ears when they’re cold. It’s oddly satisfying. 

Hi

My unmasking for me can’t get into full swing until I have my diagnosis I’m afraid. I’m not sure why I feel that way but it’s just the way I would like it to go. I have been stimming without realising for a very long time, I chew all the skin around my nails and sometimes inside my cheek (right side only for some reason) Also I hold my head in my hands as it feels really comforting and when I’m alone I rock slightly. Can’t really explain why it feels good but it’s soothing to me. 
Would love to know how to successfully unmask, I have been doing it for that long I really don’t know how to be me or who me is.