Hi
I was hoping someone could advise.
Since my late diagnosis last year aged 53 I have realised that I was masking all of the time. Now that I have stopped masking I feel that I have no real established personality and don't know how to make friends anymore. In the past I would put on a bit of an act but now I tend not to want to talk if the conversation means I may have to mask to get involved.
Has anyone got any advice on how I can find my true self because I feel lost.
Thanks
Iain
Hiiain72 and welcome.
Im late diagnosed too and I totally understand where you are right now. I think it can come as a bit of a shock to realise you haven't been true to yourself all your adult life.....and even more scary who is the real you????
Can you think about what made you happy as a child? hopefully we might get a glimpse into our true nature before we were shaped into what others expected us to be. It will take time to discover the real you, I try to listen to what my body is telling me and if it doesn't feel steady inside with certain people or in certain situations I try to limit that time and gradually pull away from those environments. Its hard because people are expecting the person they know (our masked selves) so they have to adjust too and sometimes they don't want to know the real you but that's okay they're not your people.
Please be kind and gentle with yourself. You have found this place, we are part of your tribe. Hopefully you will get lots of advice from people who have come through this and are on the other side.
Hiiain72 and welcome.
Im late diagnosed too and I totally understand where you are right now. I think it can come as a bit of a shock to realise you haven't been true to yourself all your adult life.....and even more scary who is the real you????
Can you think about what made you happy as a child? hopefully we might get a glimpse into our true nature before we were shaped into what others expected us to be. It will take time to discover the real you, I try to listen to what my body is telling me and if it doesn't feel steady inside with certain people or in certain situations I try to limit that time and gradually pull away from those environments. Its hard because people are expecting the person they know (our masked selves) so they have to adjust too and sometimes they don't want to know the real you but that's okay they're not your people.
Please be kind and gentle with yourself. You have found this place, we are part of your tribe. Hopefully you will get lots of advice from people who have come through this and are on the other side.
