4. The Unmasking Menu
You know masking is exhausting you, but what does unmasking actually look like in daily life? When everyone says "just unmask," how do you start when you've been doing it unconsciously for decades?
Unmasking isn't all-or-nothing. You don't have to drop every mask everywhere at once. Think of this episode like a buffet - seven different areas where you can experiment with being more you, starting with the safest spaces first.
The invisible labor of fitting in has been draining your energy reserves. Every accommodation you make for your nervous system, every moment you stop translating yourself into a socially acceptable package, gives you spoons back for things that actually matter.
Recognition is the first step. Once you see how much energy you've been spending on unconscious masking, you can start making different choices about where to spend your limited resources.
In This Episode:
Seven practical areas to experiment with unmasking without overwhelm
Why "letting yourself" language points to internalized ableism
How to start in contained, safe spaces before expanding
Real examples of daily unmasking that conserve energy
Why the goal isn't making everyone comfortable with your needs