FabSwingers.com forum: Masking

By *ickle-Lilly-Willy OP Man
9 weeks ago

Ends

Masking at work makes work even more difficult.

Do you find that?

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By *ack FrostyMan
9 weeks ago

Wolverhampton

Like me or not, I can and will only be me.

Sometimes quiet, sometimes vocal, but it’s all part of me, I have learned over many years and in some ways on here as well just be the real me, some will like it, some loathe it, but at least I’m true to myself

I find masking tiring, conflicting for me, and my inner me screams very loud

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By *ell GwynnWoman
9 weeks ago

North Yorkshire

Yep. I'm much less exhausted at the end of the day if I've worked alone.

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By *reyToTheFairiesWoman
9 weeks ago

Carlisle usually

Oh.

Very much so.

The only reason I haven't bailed on my workplace is because they let me get away with just being me. Any new employer that didn't know my worth yet would absolutely not tolerate the way I am, and I can't face the idea of going back to masking 8 hours a day 💜

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By (user no longer on site)
9 weeks ago

The older I get, the more I refuse to do this. It's exhausting on all levels and it only does yourself disservice. Good day or bad day, people know where they stand with me and if something needs to be raised, I have no issue doing so. I've been told by many people in the office that this is what they like about me most so people usually respect you more for not masking.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
9 weeks ago

North West

I know Mr KC uses a lot of energy masking. Our workplace is very supportive and he is very much respected and valued. However many people don't really grasp how hard it is.

My masking is different. I'm in pretty much constant pain but I can't show it.

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By *enrietteandSamCouple
9 weeks ago

Staffordshire

I don’t mask.

Simple.

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By *cnugatugMan
9 weeks ago

Chatham

My adhd doesn't let me mask anything I'm just me either you like me the way I am hyperactive energetic and some what random or you don't it's not on me to make you like me

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By *illy IdolMan
9 weeks ago

Midlands

"I don’t mask.

Simple."

Rule number 1. Always wear your PPE

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
9 weeks ago

Reading

I have become quieter at work but that's not really masking

My daughter is on the spectrum and finds it exhausting.

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By *usyBusyElfWoman
9 weeks ago

Brum

I think people are just used to my unmasked self now

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By *ib.Man
9 weeks ago

Hampshire

I don't really.

One many reasons I'd struggle elsewhere if I left my job.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
9 weeks ago

Paradise, Herts

"I don’t mask.

Simple.

Rule number 1. Always wear your PPE"

This is what I thought this thread was about until I read it all 🤣

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By *kinmistressWoman
9 weeks ago

somewhere about

Its exhausting, but since accepting my diagnosis a few years ago i am more likely to just be me now instead of masking. I was late diagnosed autism and thought i was just grumpy and antisocial

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By *iscotti32Woman
9 weeks ago

gateshead

I never have. I cba. I’m me like it or not, most do not.

Luckily never had an issue at jobs etc as they seem to find my dry, miserable, don’t give a fuck attitude quite endearing and amusing. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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By *MisschiefxTV/TS
9 weeks ago

London

Very much so, I can only work freelance.

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple
9 weeks ago

Leeds

What’s masking ?

If it’s what it sounds like and that’s not being your true self in certain situations, then no I don’t know how to do that, fake ain’t really my forte.

The mr

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
9 weeks ago

North West

"What’s masking ?

If it’s what it sounds like and that’s not being your true self in certain situations, then no I don’t know how to do that, fake ain’t really my forte.

The mr "

It means different things to different people, but usually some form of attempting to conform to typical behaviour that is required, expected or typical of whatever situation. It's often a term applied to people who are neurodiverse, for example, and might involve people enduring working in an environment that they struggle with. Maybe somewhere with excessive noise or bright lights or in a hot desk type unpredictable environment.

In my case, it means suppressing the fact I'm constantly in pain and enduring pain to do various things. I mask my pain because I've learned no-one actually cares about the factual answer and to "how are you?" and pretty much no-one wants to hear that I'm struggling physically at any given time. I'm told if I'm struggling then I should just be off sick (which would mean me never working ever again 😂)

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By *ell GwynnWoman
9 weeks ago

North Yorkshire

"What’s masking ?

If it’s what it sounds like and that’s not being your true self in certain situations, then no I don’t know how to do that, fake ain’t really my forte.

The mr "

In my case it's not stimming as it makes people look at you funny and avoid talking to you. Hand flapping when stressed and skippy little dances when happy are NOT considered ok by polite society after the age of 10 😆

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By *electableicecreamMan
9 weeks ago

The West

"What’s masking ?

If it’s what it sounds like and that’s not being your true self in certain situations, then no I don’t know how to do that, fake ain’t really my forte.

The mr "

Masking for me means making my best attempt to act normal in social situations while experiencing sensory overload.

My body and brain are in full fight or flight mode but I'm out in a bar or at a party and chatting away like nothing is wrong. It's exhausting and I've spent the last three years unlearning it.

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By *ack FrostyMan
9 weeks ago

Wolverhampton

"What’s masking ?

If it’s what it sounds like and that’s not being your true self in certain situations, then no I don’t know how to do that, fake ain’t really my forte.

The mr "

Masking, sometimes referred to as “camouflaging,” occurs when someone attempts to hide their mental health symptoms in an effort to blend in with people around them. They may copy other people's demeanor or actions or engage in compensatory behaviors

Before you call it fake and try and make light of a recognised mental health condition it may have been nice to do some research.

Calling it fake or insinuating people are fake doesn’t help

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By *aven.Woman
9 weeks ago

Not the North West...

If people don't like how I am that's their problem.

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By *electableicecreamMan
9 weeks ago

The West

"If people don't like how I am that's their problem.

This is more or less where I have arrived too

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By *isfits behaving badlyCouple
9 weeks ago

Coventry

I've spent most of my life with a mask so deep I didn't even realise myself.

As to if it makes working life harder yes and no. I've had a successful life Career wise. A good half of it in the military which is not necessarily forgiving or accommodating to my neurodiversity. Which is understandable a lot of the time because the realities of the environment doesn't give allowances to me to operate as would be most comfortable for me. I had to mask and learn how to shape myself to fit that environment. So masking has been very important tool to me in getting on in life and my success. However it has also been bloody hard work and completely exhausting. A heavy toll that I've only really come to understand the extent of in recent years.

Luckily now I'm in a profession that is more in harmony with who I really am and I get to work alone and with on one under my command and no one to answer up to either. Now I just get to do my thing that I like and I'm good at. I don't have to mask and I can just be me. It definitely feels like a weight of my shoulders. In many ways I'm happier although awareness does bring it's own troubles.

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