It’s insidious.

The one thing society has consistently taught us is how not to be ourselves. Then we turn a corner and are told we’re meant to be authentic.

Who are you underneath the mountain of who you were taught to be?

I feel that neurodivergent people have an odd advantage here. Never really “sell out” because they don’t understand the stage as it’s been set. Yes, they mask, but don’t get brainwashed into believing that the given path is the “right” one.

So back to the question: Who are you? How many are you? Do you like you?

Is it the reason why every second of every day, your time has to be filled with activity? Because you’re afraid of being alone with who you really are? Ashamed even. Embarrassed. You feel that the real you would never be accepted. Would never belong. So you don’t accept her. You don’t allow yourself to belong to you.

And everyday, that “you” dies a little more.

You fade.

You both loose.