Unmasking is the process through which you slowly learn to allow your neurodivergence to present itself, no longer trying to hide yourself.
In this way, unmasking is a part of unlearning behaviours and thought patterns that we were taught we must abide by in order to be accepted by the neurotypical population.
Unmasking is not a binary on/off switch. As everyone’s masking is made up of many different elements picked up from various sources, unmasking is a granular process.
To unmask is a privilege. You need a safe space to do it, and not everyone has access to communities where they don’t have to pretend and are allowed to stop masking.
An important part of unmasking is learning which of your neurodivergent traits are safe to present across which environments.
Over time, you find new ways in which you have inadvertently been masking, and then learn whether and how much you can unmask that. In this way, unmasking is not a one-and-done event, but is more like a lifelong practice of awareness and healing.
Unmasking should be a regular part of neurodivergent self-care and is crucial to avoid or heal from autistic burnout.
