Do you ever feel exhausted from trying to meet everyone’s expectations?
Sometimes, social interactions can require much more energy than others realize.
Thinking about what to say, interpreting people’s reactions, trying to follow unspoken social rules, or feeling pressure to respond in a certain way can make even ordinary conversations exhausting.
For some autistic people, this experience may be connected to masking, which involves hiding or adjusting natural behaviors to meet social expectations.
Although masking can sometimes help people navigate certain environments, it can also become emotionally exhausting, particularly when someone feels they cannot express themselves comfortably.
Something worth reflecting on is that being understood shouldn’t always require hiding important parts of who you are.
Everyone deserves opportunities to communicate in ways that feel comfortable and authentic, whether that involves speaking, writing, taking time to process information, or simply enjoying quiet moments.
I’d love to hear your perspective:
Do you feel more comfortable expressing yourself around certain people or in certain environments?
What helps you feel accepted without having to constantly monitor how you’re behaving?
There’s no right or wrong answer, and you’re welcome to share only what feels comfortable for you.
@DianaRodriguez244
i would say it's difficult for me to express myself in someways and other times difficult.
Online:
i can talk to people more freely because a lot of barriers to communication are lifted allowing me to be more like myself. people can be anything they wish to be online so it is kind of mysterious talking to people because they say their a 30 year old female when their actually a 10 year old boy.
Offline:
it's much difficult to talk with people offline.. barriers like their looks, financial statis, job status, race of origin, political views, their clothing and many other obstacle play a role in how you communicate with them making it exhaustingly difficult. So many barriers leave little room to relate to a other person..
🌱
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, AsherTree! You brought up something really interesting about the differences between online and offline communication.
I can understand why online interactions might feel more comfortable when you don’t have to navigate so many social expectations or worry about how others might perceive you. Sometimes, having that extra space to express yourself can make a meaningful difference.
I also appreciate that you mentioned the uncertainty of not always knowing who someone really is online. It reminds us that both environments have their own challenges.
What stood out to me most was what you said about how difficult it can be to connect with people when so many social barriers seem to get in the way.
I’m curious about something: when you do meet someone in person who makes you feel comfortable, what is it about that person or interaction that helps those barriers feel less overwhelming?
Thank you again for contributing such a thoughtful reflection to this conversation!
@DianaRodriguez244
Your welcome DianaR!!
When a person acts like they have a interest in what I'm saying, i keep going and try to relate to them further. i find myself interacting with them more if they look more like i do and if they are nice to my wife. i generally don't go out of my way when people look too different than me.. i guess i am pretty shallow like that. However, i have enjoyed time with people who don't look and act like me, having too many barriers facing a situation leaves me unenthused to go out of my way for them i guess. i don't have too many good friends offline, it's a reality have got used to.🌱
Hi, as someone who is newly diagnosed, there’s a lot and I mean a lot of things that are coming to light.
Anyways, to answer your questions.
I would say once, I did feel comfortable expressing myself but it didn’t last. So I mostly keep to myself, meaning I mask around everyone even friends because I don’t feel comfortable around them. Yes, that sounds bad but it’s more because of social anxiety and paranoia on my part.
I accept myself and the person I feel comfortable around is me. :)