@trevorcarroll_: At a very young age, I subconsciously developed ways to hide my differences. I learned to mask the parts of myself that were seen as “less desirable” based on the feedback I received from others, and from constantly observing how other people interacted. Years later, I realized that so much of this turned into trauma connected to both my autism and the way society responds to autistic people. I’m at a stage in my journey now where I finally feel like I can be truly myself… at least most of the time. But the experience of “being yourself” only to be met with misunderstanding, rejection, judgment, exclusion, or even unsafe situations is something far too many autistic people know deeply. For many of us, “just be yourself” has led to more rejection, social punishment, isolation, or overwhelm instead. And for some people, especially those from marginalized racial backgrounds, authenticity can also come with very real concerns around safety and how they’re perceived by the world. I give a lot of credit to my younger self for doing whatever he could to fit in, because at the time it felt necessary for safety, acceptance, and survival. But years of constantly performing a version of myself that felt more acceptable took a huge toll on my mental health. Now I’m trying to explore what a more authentic version of myself actually looks like. And honestly, it’s a lifelong process. A constant balancing act between honoring who I truly am while also trying to find belonging in a world that often pressures people to conform. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you’ve had a similar (or different) experience…. 💛 #neurodivergent #autistic #autism #MentalHealth #healing

Trevor Carroll

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Region: US

Tuesday 21 July 2026 01:39:58 GMT