Reframing Neurodiversity
Reframing Neurodiversity
Melissa Jackson
7. The Weight of Masking and How I Stopped Hiding My True Self
12 minutes Posted Dec 25, 2023 at 2:30 pm.
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Show notes

In today’s episode, I’m opening up about my experience as a highly sensitive and neurodivergent person—how masking my true self began at a young age and how I’ve learned to unmask, set boundaries, and prioritize what truly fills me up. I share my journey of recognizing the emotional toll of people-pleasing, understanding why I felt safe and valued when I met others’ expectations, and the moment I realized it wasn’t sustainable. This episode is all about reclaiming energy, emotional regulation, and embracing authenticity.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What it means to be both highly sensitive and neurodivergent
  • How masking begins early and why it feels necessary for survival
  • The emotional impact of people-pleasing and self-abandonment
  • How to set healthy boundaries and protect your energy
  • Practical ways to regulate emotions and say yes to what truly aligns

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