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Low Key Autistic/HSP Struggles You Shouldn’t Ignore
I’m on the mild end of the spectrum and think I do a pretty good job of masking. At work, I typically let my colleagues in on my ‘Aspie-ness’ once I’ve settled in a role and gained their trust.
I just don’t want my autistic traits to be the first thing they notice about me.
Rightly or wrongly, I’ve always felt compelled to make my first impression be good, but in a neurotypical way.
Really, I just want to fit in and not rock the boat. I don’t want anybody making special allowances for me. I want to be an easy person who simply fits into the team.
However, this does come at a price to both my physical and mental health.
If you also mask your traits at work, then you will know exactly what I mean here. It’s a trade-off.
You end up putting so much energy into masking at work, that when you get home you have nothing left to give.
For me, this has led to periods of functional freeze where my evenings are spent doom-scrolling silently.
