masking
Masking is when we hide things about ourselves in order to be accepted. It is not necessarily malicious, but it helps us cope with our inadequacies around those we want to approve of us. Essentially, we learn what others want to see in us, and we give that to them, keeping part of who we really are hidden inside.
Masking is very common in the autistic world because of the need to feel “normal”
I believe everyone to one degree puts on a mask hiding what we feel is unseemly or embarrassing to others. We all have a need to be seen and heard and accepted- and we all have flaws.What is so amazing and wonderful is when we find and get to know another who will accept us as we are – someone who will find our flaws as beautiful and unique. Someone who encourages us to see ourselves the way they do- perfectly imperfect.
May we all find that special person who can look at us honestly and say, “I love you for everything you are and for everything you are not.”