Unmasking can feel so incredibly overwhelming when we think it has to happen all at once. For me, it only worked when I allowed it to be a slow, quiet process of tiny permissions.
Wondering how to start autistic unmasking after a late autism diagnosis? In this video, I share my personal experience of how I've actually gone about unmasking since discovering I'm autistic.
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🎥 About This Video :
When I first learned about autism masking, I realised I'd been doing it for most of my life. But knowing I was masking didn't mean I knew how to stop. I had no idea where to begin.
In this video, I share what unmasking has looked like for me so far. Not as advice or a step-by-step guide, but simply as my own experience of slowly giving myself permission to stop forcing, stop pretending, and start listening to what I actually need.
For me, unmasking didn't begin with huge changes. It started with small things. Using a fidget toy. Wearing headphones. Allowing myself less eye contact. Learning that sometimes staying home isn't avoidance, it's self-care.
I'm also learning that unmasking doesn't mean I never mask. Sometimes masking is still helpful or protective. The difference is that it feels much more like a choice than something I do automatically.
If you've recently discovered you're autistic, or you're beginning to wonder what unmasking might look like for you, I hope my story helps you feel a little less alone.
I'd love to hear about your own experience in the comments. What has unmasking looked like for you?
Thank you so much for watching. 💜 — Finn
🎥Watch Next: If you missed last week's video, I talked about why it took me so long to realise I was masking in the first place: 🎥 Why It Took Me 50 Years to Realise I Was Masking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEboXD3C8hc ___________________________________________________________________ 📖 READ MY STORY My Memoir, Top to Bottom: https://finlaygames.com/my-books/
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🌈 ABOUT FINN I’m a trans man and author documenting the "unseen work" of becoming yourself later in life. I share my lived experience with late-diagnosed Autism and ADHD, while navigating life with ME/CFS and PoTS. You’re very welcome here.