7. The Weight of Masking and How I Stopped Hiding My True Self
Reframing Neurodiversity · Melissa Jackson
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Show Notes
In today’s episode, I’m opening up about my experience as a highly sensitive and neurodivergent person—how masking my true self began at a young age and how I’ve learned to unmask, set boundaries, and prioritize what truly fills me up. I share my journey of recognizing the emotional toll of people-pleasing, understanding why I felt safe and valued when I met others’ expectations, and the moment I realized it wasn’t sustainable. This episode is all about reclaiming energy, emotional regulation, and embracing authenticity.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What it means to be both highly sensitive and neurodivergent
- How masking begins early and why it feels necessary for survival
- The emotional impact of people-pleasing and self-abandonment
- How to set healthy boundaries and protect your energy
- Practical ways to regulate emotions and say yes to what truly aligns
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