I'll never forget the day I realized "ohhhhh I need so much time absolutely by myself because that's the only time I'm not masking ....." Literally went 40 years without ever realizing that's what was happening. Now that I see it, I'm grateful that I'm becoming more and more aware of how I want to use my limited energy to either mask or not. 💛

I have often wondered how autistic masking is different to NT masking. You explained that so well and how you can feel more lonely around people sometimes than being by yourself. I think I compare myself with others so much and feel different which only makes me feel more lonely. Another great video. Thankyou.

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you got something out of it! 😁❤️

I am glad you are getting closer to getting your book published.

Dear Amanda, I hope you're having a great day! As a visually impaired person, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the detailed descriptions you provide in your videos. This level of detail is not something I often come across online, and it makes your content incredibly accessible and enriching for me. Your effort to include these descriptions is deeply appreciated and makes a significant difference in my ability to enjoy and understand your videos. I am also hoping that your health improves and that the results of your tests come back with positive news. It’s clear that you’ve been going through a challenging time, but please know that your true subscribers will stay with you, even when you’re unable to post regularly. We value and support you not just for your content, but for the person you are. Despite the challenges that come with unmasking with Autism, you will be so, so so much happier in the long run. As someone who is dating a person on the spectrum, I am incredibly passionate about unmasking. I follow several people with ASD and ADHD to educate myself on how I can love my partner the way he needs to be loved. I've been asking him questions about his own experience along the way as I learn more about Autism and ADHD. I understand the struggle to make friends and how painful it can be. It’s heartbreaking to know that you faced this difficulty as a child and are now witnessing your children go through similar challenges. Your teenagers are incredibly lucky to have a mom like you, someone who understands their struggles and stands by them with unwavering support and love. I admire you for being a pillar of strength, continuously pushing forward despite the obstacles you face. You are an inspiration for people to keep on going, no matter how tough life gets. I am so proud of you for the work you do and for your ongoing road to healing of self-discovery. Your determination to find happiness and to understand yourself better is truly commendable. Can’t wait to read your book when it’s published. Yours Truly, Anna

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

Thank you, I know I don't always remember to add verbal descriptions, but I do try. I never know if I have any Blind or low vision viewers. Knowing I do, hopefully I'll remember to be even better at the key descriptions!

I'm sure many of us would count ourselves lucky as your best friend if you wanted ❤❤

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

I appreciate this so much. ❤️

Im proud of you too!!! Watching your videos is informative and gives me comfort that no matter what I can figure stuff out, especially with my support system!! Thank you!

Amanda, can I say that you're glowing? That colour is really lovely on you! And I have to thank you for helping me realize something about how I masked my own appearance. I've always dressed up and put a lot of effort into my appearance because I was so bullied for my hand me down clothes and greasy hair when I was in elementary school. It made a huge, positive impact in my social life to look so "pretty" and put together but it was always draining and never felt like me. Since I discovered I'm autistic and I'm unmasking, I've actually had the opposite reaction to you, and now I always dress comfy and I don't wear make up at all anymore, and if it's too much sensory stuff one day, guess what, I'm not gonna shower and I'm going to have greasy hair lol. I never realized just how much that was part of my unmasking process- I just judged myself and wondered if I was letting myself go or something. I also relate to the burnout on tasks and having it affect your speech. By the way, in regards to your anxiety about not updating the channel as often as you used to, well, I couldn't keep up with all the videos anyway, to be honest, as much as I wanted to 😅

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

I wonder if you'll find yourself going through phases. First I ditched jeans and I went through a patch after dx where I was mostly living in pj's, I was only focused on comfort. I bought a few jogging suit sets too. Now I'm excited to find my own colorful style in comfortable options, like the overalls I was wearing today. Who knows what's next! 😁 But I'm glad I've helped you on your unmasking journey, even if only a bit.

@LoveCrumb

9 күн бұрын

@@i.am.mindblind The colourful outfits really suit you! It's always exciting to have a new facet of yourself to explore!

What you said about having trouble making friends as a kid totally resonated with me. I struggled really hard with that, especially when I went to an all-boys school from K-3rd grade, where I was picked on and bullied mercilessly the entire time. I know that experience sent me down a very long path of people pleasing, which I am still learning to undo, and I’m pretty sure that was the genesis of a lot of my masking more broadly too. Thanks for sharing your experiences Amanda, I appreciate that a lot, and I’m grateful for you and all the work you put into your videos! 😊

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

Sending hugs to your elementary self. CPTSD is so common in Autistic people due to bullying and so many things.

@studiotom

8 күн бұрын

@@i.am.mindblind Thanks Amanda! Hugs to your elementary self too! 🤗

Thank you so much for another courageous vlog, Amanda. Much needed and appreciated.

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, it felt good to film this. 😊

I've been relating so strongly with you videos lately!! Thanks for being open with us & doing your thing!!😊🥰

@i.am.mindblind

2 күн бұрын

😊 You're welcome!

Yeah, you made a lot of sense. When it comes to making calls and taking care of business, it's hard for me too. I might be an undiagnosed Autistic.because I can relate to some of your struggles.

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

It's something to look into, there are so many undiagnosed.

Brilliant video. I can relate to so much of it especially being liked in groups but never anyones first choice.

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

It's so hard. 😔

@Beardedblue

8 күн бұрын

@@i.am.mindblind when I mentioned it to my assessor they said they felt the same as autistic and maybe it could just be how we think sometimes and NT's might not see it that way, they might actually see us as core members of a group even though we don't.

Hi Amanda, Your candid vlog on your journey of unmasking Autism has been vital to my own journey of unmasking this past year. The way you've faced the challenges of masking and societal pressures has deeply resonated with me and given me newfound courage. Your transformation since your diagnosis has been empowering, providing me with a sense of hope. Your insights into setting new boundaries and managing executive functioning difficulties have been invaluable and have greatly assisted me in my own journey. Your openness about the struggles of making friends has shed light on the unique challenges we face as part of the neurodivergent community. It's been a source of comfort knowing that I'm not alone. I eagerly await your upcoming book and the continued sharing of your authentic journey. Your vlog is not just informative, but also a beacon of hope for many of us here in the community who love and support you 🫶

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

Thank you for reminding me we aren't alone, so many of us have these same struggles. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. I appreciate it so much. 💜

I feel and understand all of this!

I know the struggle of going to college and working full-time. These past couple of years, I worked as a special education teacher in a public school, and took six semester hours of college each semester. It has been really draining that I have been experiencing significant skill regression. In high school, I also wasn't able to work. It seemed like all the kids I knew worked part-time in the evenings and on the weekends, and I couldn't understand how they did it. I am not working right now because the academic year just ended about four weeks ago, and I am taking a 3 semester hours course that is only offered in the summer and it's a four-week course, this course has just exhausted me because it is so fast paced, I don't know if I will be able to take the last course I need in the fall because of the burnout I am experiencing.

I love the look! 😃And good luck with your tests ❤ Did you do anything in particular to start unmasking? I’m trying really hard to unmask, but it’s unfortunate stuck there 😣

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

I am really trying to listen to my nervous system. I've now noticed that when I agree to do things that cause me distress it's putting me more into a shutdown than ever before. In a lot of ways I actually just don't have the luxury to mask in some situations any more. Hitting autistic burnout has made me unmask to some extent, because I just couldn't keep going the way I was before. This is a good topic for a video, I'll take note! Also, thank you, I've really been enjoying fun colors!

Thanks for your insight...

... and you do something weird or different all the time, so you have to constantly be prepared to adjust to keep the punishment at bay while trying to figure out what you did wrong.... - You are making plenty of sense - these things are Really hard. - We have so much more to learn.

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

💜💜💜 Thanks

I loved this one, sitting with You on the couch and chat. And can relate to a lot again... But it´s half past one here now and I just need to sleep now. Curious what You´re doing next, and about how the work with publishing the book goes on. And the trouthers: fantastic colour, want some like this too. Have a nice week, Amanda👋

@i.am.mindblind

7 күн бұрын

I'm so happy you liked this video! Hope you got some sleep! 😊😊

I'm really excited about your book! If you don't mind me asking, who is publishing it? I wrote a children's book about Pride and don't know where to turn.

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

That's so awesome about your book! I'm going the self publishing route. I'm hiring a private editor and will figure out how to self publish, I'm learning as I go!

@NateDani85

8 күн бұрын

@@i.am.mindblind Ah, I see. I can't wait to see the funal product!

I did a lot of baby sitting dog/cat sitting when I was a teen.

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

It's a good job for a lot of teens

@chrissimpson1183

9 күн бұрын

It was fun, I learned how to use a VCR to play movies for the kids...

14:43 Me too.

Amanda you can't change society so there's a very small thimgs you can do to help your children with that feeling of being lonely surrounded by a lot of people. I think is not avoidable for autistics. Don't feel risponsible for what is not your fault.

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

I don't feel responsible, but I am trying to mitigate their loneliness by trying to help them find friends and activities.

I’m so happy for you seeing yourself coming through as your mask dissipates that I’m crying with relief, hope, and joy. 🥰🫶

@i.am.mindblind

9 күн бұрын

Hip hip horray! There's an actual person under that mask! 😁😍

Thank you my dear❤ you are really one of a thousand for me 😍🫶

@i.am.mindblind

8 күн бұрын

😊😊