conversation and masking

I feel as if everyone is way ahead of me. And so spontaneous in conversation. I want to have lots to say, things to express, but I don’t know how to unless I adjust myself to what I think is required of the conversation, and consider my delivery. I won’t bring things up unless the discussion leads in that direction. 

I’m really disappointed in myself. I struggle with consistent keeping in touch with people, because I have to amp myself up and prepare beforehand, and to an extent I’m masking. I want to be able to share a story of my life and the things happening in it, but it feels like preparing to perform on a stage. And recently I’ve had a mental shutdown and not been working as much, and I’m running out of things to say, or the sustenance for long conversation, unless the other party is leading that conversation and I’m digging in with the questions.

in the creative world, people are so spontaneous with their conversations (how do people do it??), and i feel I may have used to be, but now especially i feel stuck and rigid in conversation, and my biggest fear is feeling like a brick wall - especially when I don’t have an understanding of adult life like NTs, and even NDs around me.

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  • Hi Aurelius,

    You aren’t alone - I understand this feeling. Some days are easier than others and I can initiate conversations without too much trouble (though not spontaneously - it still needs a bit of mental prep) but I’m very conscious of the fact that unless I’m talking about something I’m passionate about I generally can’t seem to get going with it, or hold it up for very long. I rarely talk about myself, and my conversations are usually ‘transactional’, which is how I like it but can make me stand out a bit.

    I spend quite a lot of time analysing the things NT people talk about and often it wouldn’t even occur to me to bring these things up. I always used to feel that people were watching me struggle and judging me in these interactions (which makes it even harder) but I’ve come to realise that most people don’t really pay attention to me specifically (in group situations anyway which is what I find hardest), and this has helped. I’ve spent all my life masking, which is so tiring, and am consciously trying to be kinder to myself. 

    No real advice given here, but hope it helps to know others struggle too. 

  • I think that is a good one - that people are not paying as much attention as you think. I think my fear is that if I am around people for too long, they may see me crash out if I get overwhelmed, and that is a big fear of mine. Or that my social battery will run out and I won't be able to be socially of any use.

    It does help to know others struggle. I've realised that I've masked a lot for my life, and that although I want to be social, I am afraid of coming across as boring or uninspired if I come into a conversation without preparation. 

    I also rarely talk about myself because of a fear of being 'exposed' and also because I don't want to come across as self indulgent. Why do you feel you don't talk about yourself often in conversation>?

  • I think I’m just a private person, I’ll talk about myself with people I’m comfortable with but tend not to in general. I’ve recently started sharing that I’m autistic with more people (particularly when I’m having trouble with conversation, like today I was really tired after getting up early and found it harder than usual), and have found that most seem to respond positively.

  • I think I've had this belief that I need to be honest with everyone around me no matter what. im private, but also like being extroverted.

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